Surname Pestel - Meaning and Origin
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Pestel: What does the surname Pestel mean?
The last name Pestel is of German origin and has several possible meanings. The first is derived from the Old German word 'pestil', meaning 'plague or pest', and could possibly refer to someone who was a pestilence survivor or who had fought off or escaped a plague. Alternatively, the name could be derived from the German word 'vessel', meaning 'cup' and could refer to a brewer or innkeeper.
The Pestel surname can also trace its roots in Holland, where it is thought to be an occupational name for a fisherman. In the Netherlands, the name is said to have been derived from the Dutch word 'pes', meaning 'purse' or 'bag', and could have referred to someone who worked as a purse-maker or merchant.
It is believed that the Pestel surname may also have originated from the Pöstlingberg area of Austria, where it is thought to have been derived from the place name which means 'land of the small spring'. Lastly, the name could have been derived from the Old German personal name 'Pedo'.
Regardless of its origin, the surname is a reminder of the past and is associated with strength, resilience, and loyalty. In its various forms, the name Pestel is instantly recognizable, and is often still used in many countries across the world as surname of today.
Order DNA origin analysisPestel: Where does the name Pestel come from?
The last name Pestel is most common today in areas of Germany. According to the website Genforum, the Pestel family name was found in Germany in Prussia, Pomerania, and Saxony; constituting about 95 percent of all bearers of the name. The Pestel name is quite old, having been found in documents dating back to the thirteenth century. The Pestel family were the owners of castles and estates in both Germany and Poland. It is likely that the family was of noble origin.
The Pestel family still remains quite common in Germany today, where the name can be found in Saxony, especially in cities located close to the border with Poland, such as Dresden, Leipzig and Breslau. It is also common in the Rhineland-Palatinate region, especially in cities such as Mainz and Trier. Further south, the name can also be found in Mainz and Bavaria. The Pestel family name is also found in Austria, the Czech Republic, and Russia. Outside of Europe, the last name Pestel can be found in the Americas, specifically in the United States of America.
Variations of the surname Pestel
The surname Pestel is believed to have two distinct origins. One is Germanic in origin and the other is French in origin.
The Germanic form of the surname is spelled as Passtel, which is derived from the Germanic root word pastel, which translates as ‘rope’. The name likely refers to somebody who worked in the rope or cord industry and adopted the name as a surname. This form of the surname can also be spelled with a double ‘s’ as Passttel.
The French form of the surname is spelled as Pestel. It originated in the region of Alsace in France and is derived from the word pascal, meaning Easter. This form of the surname would likely refer to somebody related to or linked to the celebration of Easter.
Variants of the French form of the surname include Pesteau, Pesztel, Pilset and Prietel.
Over time, some variants of the surname may have gone through changes in both spellings and pronunciations. For example, the double ‘s’ in Passttel could become a single ‘s’, and the ‘e’ in Pestel may have changed to become an ‘i’, in some instances. Additionally, the surname may have been anglicized or shortened into forms such as Past, Pistol and Peztel.
In England, the spelling of the surname is typically Passtel, whereas elsewhere in Europe, it is generally Pestel.
Famous people with the name Pestel
- Matthieu Pestel: A French entrepreneur who is the co-founder of Captain Train, and a TechStars mentor and advisor.
- Robert Pestel: A German college professor and philosopher who is known for his research on the topics of time, violence, and infinity.
- Katarina Pestel: A Slovak opera singer and mezzo-soprano who performed at the Vienna State Opera.
- Auguste Pestel: A French musical theorist and composer who wrote the treatise Traite du chant ecclesiastique et des moyens de le rendre plus parfait.
- Bernard Pestel: A French actor and comedian who starred in films such as The Taming of the Shrew and La Grande Vadrouille.
- George Pestel: An Austrian-American businessperson who is the co-founder of the National Wholesale Drug Company.
- Mark Pestel: An American entrepreneur who is the founder and CEO of the software engineering and technology services company, F5 Networks.
- William Pestel: An American civil engineer and pioneering railroad leader who constructed a number of lines in New York and Pennsylvania.
- Hans Pestel: A German zoologist and museum director who was a proponent of evolutionary theory.
- Ignaz Pestel: A German composer of vocal music who wrote numerous lieder and masses.