Surname Siegel - Meaning and Origin
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iGENEA DNA Test: A Journey into the Siegel Lineage and Its Personal Significance
Having submitted to an iGENEA DNA test, it divulged a world of hidden historical facts about my ancestry and turned my perceptions of the Siegel surname on its head. The results bore links to Jewish heritage, deep-story roots in Europe and an extensive cultural fabric that has enriched my sense of personal and family identity.
S. Siegel
read moreSiegel: What does the surname Siegel mean?
The last name Siegel is of Jewish and German origin. Its literal translation from German is "seal", a concept most often associated with authenticity and identification, as seals were used to certify or 'sign' a document. The surname could denote an office or function, as it was a common practice in Middle Ages Europe to refer to an individual by their occupation or profession. Hence, someone bearing the surname Siegel might have been associated with crafting or working with seals. However, it's also possible that Siegel, like many surnames, was taken based on a geographical feature, such as a significant lake or river in a person's home town. Due to centuries of usage and migration, the last name Siegel is now found within communities around the world, regardless of the ancestral roots.
Order DNA origin analysisSiegel: Where does the name Siegel come from?
The last name Siegel is a Germanic surname that is found today primarily in North America and Israel. Specifically, it is one of the most common surnames in the US, ranking in the top 400 of 2020.
In the US, Siegel is most commonly found among Ashkenazic Jews who came to the US during the Great Wave of Jewish immigration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Historical records show that it is a relatively common name among German Jews, derived from the Middle High German term ‘Siegel’, which was used as a personal surname.
In addition to the US, the last name Siegel can also be found in Canada and Mexico, as well as in other countries with large Ashkenazic Jewish communities such as the UK, Germany, Austria, France, Australia, and South Africa.
In Israel, the last name Siegel is also commonly found, particularly among the many Jews of German-origin who immigrated there during and after the Second World War. The rising number of Israeli immigrants to the US have also spread the Siegel name around the world.
Overall, today the last name Siegel is most commonly found in North America and Israel, but also can be found in other countries with large Ashkenazic Jewish populations.
Variations of the surname Siegel
The popular surname Siegel has several variations, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of the most common variants of Siegel include Segal, Segelmacher, Seigel and Sigel.
Originally derived from the Yiddish name Zaygel, it is thought to have come from the German word for ‘seal’ or ‘signature’. The surname was adopted by Jewish families in Central and Eastern Europe in the 19th century.
In the United States, many spellings were adapted to the English language, such as Syguel, Syigal, Siegelman and Segalman. In other parts of the world, spelling variations continue to exist. For example, in German, the name is still spelled Segel, Seigel or Sigel and in Russia, Siygel.
Many of legacy surnames of the same origin have evolved over time through alterations in spelling and other forms of usage. For example, Segelmacher is a variation derived from the Old German word 'Segelmacherei', which means 'sailmaker'.
Other related alternatives include Siegelovic, Ziegelbauer, Siegelbauer, Sigelmacher, Sieglbauer and Sigelhofer. They are all derived from a similar origin and have different nuances depending on countries and language.
Overall, Siegel is a surname of Jewish origin that has evolved and adapted over many decades throughout the world. Its many spelling variations, related surnames and variants reflect its cultural and international influences.
Famous people with the name Siegel
- Lawrence Siegel: American actor and voice artist
- Jerry Siegel: American writer and cartoonist, renowned for creating DC Comics character Superman
- Laszlo Siegel: Hungarian-born American sculptor
- Don Siegel: American director and dialogue director, known for Dirty Harry
- Sig Siegel: American record producer
- Chris Siegel: American actor
- Stan Lee Siegel: American writer and creator of Lee & Kirby comic strip
- Edward Siegel: American filmmaker and producer, known for Vesuvius (2002)
- Joanna Siegel: widow of Jerry Siegel
- Abner Siegel: American Nobel Prize-winning mathematician