Surname Prentel - Meaning and Origin
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Prentel: What does the surname Prentel mean?
The last name Prentel is of German origin. It is derived from the Old High German words “pranta” and “biral”, which were used to describe a painted or engraved door. Therefore, the literal translation of Prentel is “painted door”.
In the days before metal doors with hinges and locks, doors were painted with symbols and images to express their status and purpose. This is evidenced in the Bible when Jacob painted a pillar following his herding of sheep for Laban.
The Prentel family were among the Bavarian people who immigrated to North America in the mid-19th century. They were most likely skilled craftsmen who were responsible for manufacturing and painting doors. Records from the time note various Prentel’s who worked on churches and other prominent structures in Southwest Michigan, Chicago, and the Eastern Seaboard.
Most likely, these individuals and their forebears were hard-working and proud individuals who brought with them the traditional ways and values of Bavaria. It is safe to assume that they valued their craftsmanship and hard work in helping to design and create the modern door that we know today. The name Prentel can still be found in North America today, such as in the city of Prenton, Oregon. In an ironic twist, the compound of the word “Prentel” is still used to refer to a door, although with a drastically changed meaning.
In conclusion, the last name Prentel has a rich history as part of the Bavarian culture that was brought to America in the mid-1800s. It is associated with hard-working craftsmen, design, and the creation of the modern door.
Order DNA origin analysisPrentel: Where does the name Prentel come from?
The last name Prentel is most commonly found in the United States today. The most recent U.S. Census reported Prentel as a surnamed present in 1,147 households. A majority of those households are located in Massachusetts, followed by Florida, New York, New Jersey, and California.
The origin of the last name is believed to be of Germanic origin, stemming from the Middle High German phrase 'prenen tal', which was used to describe an area of property owned by a prominent family, translated literally as 'tolling valley'. The earliest known Prentel is Abbottraut Prentel, believed to have been born in Germany in the late 16th century.
Immigrants from Germanic countries began to arrive in the U.S. in the late 19th century, and the Prentels likely arrived with them. The 1930 U.S. Census records reveal that the vast majority of Prentels (over 90%) were living in the northeastern states, and still are today.
Though not a particularly common last name in the U.S., the name is becoming increasingly popular in other German-speaking countries, such as Southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Outside of Germany, other countries with prominent populations of Prentels include Canada, Brazil, France, and the United Kingdom.
Variations of the surname Prentel
The surname Prentel has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include: Prentiss, Prendel, Brantel, Prentile, Prezentel, Prantl, Prendez, Prantel, Prentz, Prantle, Prentil, Prandelt, Prantal, Prentzle, Prentril, Prentle, Prantell, Prentell, Promtela, Prementel, Prentail, and Prentlav.
The most common spelling of the surname is Prentel, though its origins differ depending on the region. In Germany, Prentel is derived from the German word “prantel”, meaning “small land” or “small area”. In France, the surname comes from the Latin word “praenomen”, meaning “first name”. In England, the surname is believed to be a modified version of the old English name, “prentice”. It is also thought to have originated from the Irish surname “Prindle”.
In South Africa, Prentel is derived from the Dutch word “Prendel”, which means “a small landed estate”. Meanwhile, the Russian version of Prentel comes from the name “Prentl”, which is believed to have been derived from the Slavic word “pratiť”, meaning “to guard”, indicative of the Prentel family’s close association with guard duty.
Overall, Prentel is a surname of varying origins with a multitude of spelling variations, all derived from words or place names in different languages. It is common for members of the same family to use different spellings for different generations, so researching the origins of the surname is important for accurately tracing a family’s genealogy.
Famous people with the name Prentel
- David Prentel: noted American professor of Medicine and Public Health
- Ritchie Prentel: popular guitarist best known for his funk-soul recordings in the 1970s
- Carlos Prentel: Salvadoran footballer who plays at the club Atlético Marte
- Lisa Prentel: French actress who starred in the tv series "Le Sang pour un Ours"
- Pat Prentel: former NFL tight end who was part of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1990s
- Rick Prentel: lead vocalist and songwriter for the classic rock band Big Wreck
- Beth Prentel: American radio DJ currently hosting a top rated show on XRAY FM
- Saul Prentel: New Zealand filmmaker who won the Best Documentary at the New Zealand International Film Festival
- Lisa Prentel: Canadian figure skater and coach, she was part of the gold winning Canada Figure Skating team in 2014
- Tracy Prentel: British fashion designer, she is the founder of the popular clothing line 'Fatal'