Surname Pätzelt - Meaning and Origin

The Emotional Journey of Unraveling Heritage: My iGENEA DNA Test Experience

Embarking on a genealogical journey with iGENEA has filled me with curiosity, anticipation, and profound wonder. Connecting with my ancestral past and exploring the deep-rooted tales behind the surname Pätzelt, the experience has been emotionally enriching, altering my perspective on identity and familial bonds.

J. Pätzelt

Pätzelt: What does the surname Pätzelt mean?

The last name Pätzelt has German origins and is derived from the Middle High German "päzzel" or "pazal", meaning "minnow". This is supported by the fact that the spelling of the last name has changed over the years to Päzelt, Patzelt, and Pätzel, with the -el endingbeing a diminutive to mean a small thing or person.

The name is particularly common in Bavaria and Saxony, where it could be an occupational name for a fisherman or a fishmonger. Alternatively, it could have been a nickname for a small, thin person. In the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the name was often used as a prefix to indicate a person from a certain rural area, such as the church record of Johann Evangelus Pätzelt from Aargau canton in the year 1700.

The name Pätzelt appeared in family crests and coats-of-arms across the Austrian Empire, some of which have survived to this day as local symbols of civic pride. For example, the Pröblinsche Wappen, the official seal of the village of Pröblin, displays a picture of a white pike with a blue-colored background. It was taken from the crest of a wealthy family named Pätzelt, who had large estates in the area.

The surname Pätzelt has a long history and is still used in Germany today. It is a meaningful reminder of the past, connecting one to their ancestors and the country’s rich heritage.

Pätzelt: Where does the name Pätzelt come from?

The last name Pätzelt is most commonly found in modern-day Germany. The name is popular in the southern region of Germany, particularly in the states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Saxony, and Thuringia. This region was historically home to multiple German-speaking states, which likely explains the name’s prevalence today.

In Bavaria in particular, the last name Pätzelt is quite popular, indicating that the Pätzelt family likely has its origins in this region. Between P-Z in the telephone book of Aalen, the largest city in Baden-Wurttemberg, more than fifty entries of the Pätzelt family can be found. Further, a search of the 2018 phone book of the city of München in Bavaria reveals an even larger presence of that family name.

Outside of Germany, the last name Pätzelt can also be found in Austria, Switzerland, and the United States. As the use of German language gradually diminished with the expansion of the English language, many families emigrated to other countries, bringing the Pätzelt last name along with them.

As a result of this diaspora and migration of German families, the last name Pätzelt can also be found in many areas of the United States, including Washington, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and California. While it is quite rare in other countries, it is still quite common in country’s that speak German.

Variations of the surname Pätzelt

The surname Pätzelt is generally derived from the German personal name Pátzel. The name can have several different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The common spelling of the surname Pätzelt is Paetzel, but other alternate spellings could include Petzel, Patzel, Patzelt, Patselt, Patscha, Patschke and Patzelt.

The surname Pätzelt could also be found in other forms, including surnames like Patzelt, Petzelt, Patzalts, Patzoldt, Patzelsdorfer, Patzelsberger, Petzelberger, Petzelsdorfer, Patscha, Patschke or Patzke. Furthermore, there are several variations that have been adopted by different countries, due to immigration, or even the influence of different cultures. Such variants include: Patzel (Hungarian); Pajzelt (Czech); Patzelz (Croatian); Paeczelt (Polish); and Peselt (Latvian).

In short, the surname Pätzelt has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Variations like Patzel, Petzel, Patzelt, Patselt, Patscha, Patschke, Patzelt, Patzalts, Patzoldt, Patzelsdorfer, Patzelsberger, Petzelberger, Petzelsdorfer, Patscha, Patschke, Patzke, Patzelz, Pajzelt, Paeczelt, and Peselt have all been derived from the German personal name Pátzel.

Famous people with the name Pätzelt

• Natalie Pätzelt: An award-winning German actress known for her roles in films such as "Das perfekte Geheimnis" and "Toni Erdmann".
• Helmut Pätzelt: A philosopher and author from Germany, well-known for his works on German Romanticism.
• Dieter Pätzelt: A German composer who composed music for multiple films during his lifetime.
• Ernst Pätzelt: A former SS officer in Nazi Germany and a recipient of the Iron Cross for his actions on the Eastern Front during World War II.
• Frank Pätzelt: A German-American archaeologist and professor at Ohio State University.
• Bernd Pätzelt: A theologian from Germany known for his works on the topics of Christianity and theology.
• Angelika Pätzelt: An Austrian-German photographer known for her work in tabloid magazines.
• Hans-Werner Pätzelt: An East German athlete who competed in the men's high jump at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.
• Eberhard Pätzelt: A former German cross-country skier and Olympic competitor.
• Wilhelm Pätzelt: A German actor who has starred in over 30 films and television shows.

Other surnames

Patzeld