Surname Pirkel - Meaning and Origin
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Pirkel: What does the surname Pirkel mean?
The last name Pirkel is of German origin, and it is derived from the German word "Berkel," which means "small hill." This suggests that the first person to use this name originated from a place that was near a small hill.
The word "pirkel" is also commonly used to describe a small, bright, metal-clad object. Therefore, the name could also be seen as coming from an occupational source, i.e. the first people to bear the name were craftsmen who worked with these objects.
Additionally, the name Pirkel can be interpreted as "High Priest" or "High Ruler" in the Slovenian language. This would indicate the original holder of the name was a person of high social status and respect.
Given the many possible interpretations of the name Pirkel, it is likely that individuals will interpret it in different ways. This reflects the varied and diverse nature of the name, which has its roots in German and Slovenian language and culture. It is clear that the meaning of the name Pirkel is linked to a person's land of origin, their profession, and/or their social standing.
Order DNA origin analysisPirkel: Where does the name Pirkel come from?
The last name Pirkel is of German origin and is most prevalent today in Germany and countries with a strong German heritage, such as the United States, New Zealand, and Australia. Within Germany, Pirkel is most commonly found in the rural area of Brandenburg, where it is one of the most popular surnames.
In the US, the last name Pirkel is most commonly found in the midwest states, such as Ohio, Wisconsin, and Iowa. The majority of Pirkels living in the US today came to the country from a variety of different locations in Europe, such as Germany, Austria and Hungary.
New Zealand was also a popular destination for German settlers, and today the last name Pirkel is common in many parts of the country. In Australia, too, the last name Pirkel is widely dispersed across the nation, particularly in the larger states of Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia.
In cities with large German populations, such as Vancouver in Canada, Pirkel is also relatively common. Interestingly, variations of the last name Pirkel can be found in many countries, such as Peru and Argentina, indicating its worldwide spread.
Overall, the last name Pirkel has a strong presence in both Germany and the countries to which Germans migrated during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Variations of the surname Pirkel
Pirkel is an old Germanic surname. Its variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Perkel, Perkol, Berkel, Perkle, Pirkle, Birkle, Merkle, Berkle, Perkal, Bierkel, and Berkol.
Variants of Pirkel indicate the area of origin within Germany by their addition of a local suffix. Perkel is from the Bavaria region and Berkel and Merkle from the Hesse region in Germany. The first known use of Pirkel as a surname was by Johannes Pirkel in 1468 in the city archives of Erfurt.
Pirkel is derived from the Middle High German word "berah" meaning "cutting tool," which later evolved into "pirke" meaning "fork." This is likely where the surname Pirkel originated from and why alternate spellings and variants are found in relation to the tool they once created. Many Pirkels, along with those of other surnames of the same origin, are often descendants of those who once specialized in crafting and forging metal items such as tools.
As this surname spread to other regions of Europe, it acquired many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. For example, Perkel can be found in Austria and Switzerland, and the surname can even be found in a few parts of America. All of these variants and surnames are ultimately related to the surname Pirkel, but depending on the region, they may have taken on different spellings.
Famous people with the name Pirkel
- Brittany Pirkel: American photographer and music producer.
- Bert Pirkel: former National Football League linebacker.
- Carina Pirkel: retired American Paralympic athlete.
- Kip Pirkel: former professional ice hockey player.
- Olivier Pirkel: French designer and founder of the design agency Agence Pirkel.
- Matilda Pirkel: Award-winning children's book illustrator from Finland.
- Mike Pirkel: former pitcher in Major League Baseball.
- Tara Pirkel: president of JLG Technologies, a software company.
- Marissa Pirkel: sportscaster and freelance journalist from California.
- Anike Pirkel: Head Coach of German basketball's German Basketball League.