Surname Sprengel - Meaning and Origin
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Sprengel: What does the surname Sprengel mean?
The last name Sprengel is of German origin and is derived from a toponymic or place name. It is derived from the Old High German word “springan”, which means “to fly” or “to soar” and “el”, which is a diminutive suffix. Together, the combination means “one who comes from a place of flying or soaring”, likely referring to a place with mountains or hills.
The name may also have occupational origins, as it could be derived from the Middle High German words “sprenge”, meaning “rampart” or “fortification”; and “el”, meaning “one who works with”. This would likely mean someone who is involved with the construction or maintenance of fortifications or ramparts.
The Sprengel surname is quite common in Germany and has become widespread in other parts of Europe, as well as the United States. Some notable people with this name include Erich Sprengel, a German zoologist; as well as Johannes Sprengel, an 18th Century German pastor.
In conclusion, the last name Sprengel is of German origin and has topographic and occupational roots. It is a fairly common surname in Germany and many other parts of the world, and is associated with several well-known individuals.
Order DNA origin analysisSprengel: Where does the name Sprengel come from?
The last name Sprengel is commonly found throughout Germany today. Germany is home to the least amount of Sprengel's compared to other countries, but it is still the most likely place of origin.
Sprengel is a rare name that is mainly concentrated in the lower Rhine region and southern Westphalia, which are two regions located around the modern German states of Rhineland Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia. Its presence is also especially strong in the euplomatically and culturally influential Lower Saxony, Harz region, where it is the 194th most common name.
Outside of Germany, Sprengel is a relatively rare name that is found mostly in the Netherlands, and in the United States, where its presence can be attributed to German immigrants who arrived during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
It is also found in a few other countries including Denmark, Sweden, Italy, Austria, and Czech Republic.
All in all, the last name Sprengel is still most commonly found in Germany today but is also scattered throughout several other countries such as the Netherlands, United States, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, Austria and the Czech Republic.
Variations of the surname Sprengel
The surname Sprengel is of German origin and may be spelled in various ways. Common alternative spellings are Sprenger, Sprengle, Sprenkel, or Springer. Less common variants include Sprengal, Sprengelin, Sprengen, Sprenner, Sprentzel, Sprentzle, and Sprenkle.
Much like many surnames, Sprengel has also developed into various unique surnames. Some of the most common variants include Spohnxel, Spondel, Sponnegiest, Sponholtz, Sponheuer, Spongel, Sponli, or Spongen. Less common surnames with similar origins include Sponzel, Sporgel, Sporle, Sporz, Sprankel, Spernyng, and Sporkel.
The surname Sprengel is believed to derive from an occupational name, likely from the term "springer," which translates to "leaper." This term would come from the profession of someone who leaped over trenches or obstacles during battle, from a jouster in the medieval battlefield, or from a falconer who flew hawks at birds that were in the air.
The surname's first use can be located in the former County of Nassau-Usingen, modern-day Hesse, Germany, where the Sprengel family had a great deal of influence and wealth during the Middle Ages.
Throughout history, the Sprengel surname has been found in various records in Europe. In Germany, the highest concentrations of people with this surname are in Bavaria, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia. It has also appeared in professional records in Belgium, Luxembourg, and The Netherlands. In the United States, the Sprengel surname has spread to many states including Alabama, California, New York, Ohio, and Washington, to name a few.
Famous people with the name Sprengel
- Klaus-Peter Sprengel: Member of the German socialist party since 1966, and is the mayor of Hanover, Germany
- Ernst August Sprengel: Prussian botanist and pharmacologist
- Hermann Sprengel: Prussian landscape painter
- Lothar Sprengel: German poet
- Hans Sprengel: German physicist
- Karl Sprengel: German entomologist
- Friederike Caroline Wilhelmine Sprengel: German economist and poet
- Justina Sprengel: French fashion designer
- Fred Sprengel: American Major League Baseball player
- Peter Sprengel: German football coach