Surname Trenkel - Meaning and Origin

Trenkel: What does the surname Trenkel mean?

Trenkel is a surname that originated in Germany back in the medieval period. It was originally derived from the Germanic terms “treahn”, which meant “truth” or “appearance of truth” and “kel” which meant “to choose” or “power of choice”. Combined, Trenkel could mean “power to choose the truth”. This could have been a family motto that inherited by generation and observed by people of the surname.

The name spread throughout Europe, with changes in spelling as it reached different countries. For example, in England it changed to Trenkelle or Traankle, while in Dutch and Czechoslovakia it became Trankel. Some of the earliest records of those with the Trenkel surname were found in the archives of Eastern Germany and date back to 1743 with a man named George Trenkel.

Trenkel families also helped shape early American history. A number of settlers with that surname moved to the United States and founded towns, businesses, and homes. One of these immigrant families was Peter Trenkel, who emigrated to America from Germany in 1826 and eventually settled in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.

Today, the Trenkel name is still relatively common in the United States, particularly on the east coast. From the country’s colonial period to modern times, the Trenkel family has played an important role in American life. The name carries a heritage of strength, determination, and a commitment to truth, all traits that have made them successful and respected in their communities.

Trenkel: Where does the name Trenkel come from?

The last name Trenkel is most commonly found in Germany today. It is derived from an Old German term, "trencke," which meant "choppiness" or "braiking." The name rose to popularity after the Middle Ages, when it became a common toponymic family name - one based on place of origin - for individuals living in Germany.

This last name has several possible areas of origin. The first is numerical - the name may have designated someone from the third of four generations, as "Trenkel" was German for "third." The second is based on the locality roots of the family. The name was originally used to distinguish those who hailed from the Trenkel area of Saxony in Germany. It can also be associated with the city of Salzgitter in Lower Saxony, where a Turrenke family was recorded in the 16th century.

Today, the last name Trenkel is common in Germany and in Germanic areas of Europe - specifically, streets or large cities in countries like Austria, Belgium and Switzerland. Additionally, in some cases, the name may have been changed over the years to Tronke or Terminke.

In North America, the Trenkel family name is mainly found in the United States and Canada, where many emigrated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that around 1,000 individuals with this last name were living in the United States in 2020.

Variations of the surname Trenkel

Trenkel is an ancient surname with many variants, all of which are likely derived from German roots. The most recognizable variations of the surname are Trenkle and Trinkle, although there are several other spelling versions including Trenkelle, Trenkel, Trenkell, Trenkelman, and Trinkl.

Trenkle is the most common variant of the surname and originates from the German word for "link." The use of this variant dates back to the 1500s and was used to describe people who joined themselves together in contracts or agreements. It is likely that those who adopted the surname Trenkle did so as a way to describe themselves as 'linked.'

Trinkle is another version of the Trenkel surname and is found often in German and Swiss records. While the exact origin of this spelling is unclear, it is possible that it came from the Germanic word trinkle which means "sit in the shadows."

The surname Trenkel appears to have been very common in Germany during the 16th century. It is likely that many people with the same surname have migrated to other parts of the world, leading to a wider geographical distribution of the form Trenkel.

It is also possible that other variants of the Trenkel surname exist. Variants such as Trenkelman, Trenkelle, and Trinkl appear sporadically in records from around the world. These spellings are likely derived from the original Trenkel surname, but it is unclear how they arose. It is likely that they originated from a transcription error or from a place where the surname is spoken differently.

Overall, the Trenkel surname has many variants that have migrated around the world, and it is likely that new spellings of the surname will continue to appear in years to come.

Famous people with the name Trenkel

• Marcel Trenkel: He is a German actor. He is best known for his roles in popular TV shows such as Unter uns, Guten Morgen Deutschland, and Schloss Einstein.
• Pierre Trenkel: He is a French director, screenwriter, and producer. He is notable for his movies The Outer Lands, Chambres d'Hôtes, and Love Is in the Air.
• Jean-Marc Trenkel: He is a French alpine skier and an Olympic gold medalist. He won two golds in the 1992 Winter Olympics in the downhill and the super-G.
• Kurt Trenkel: He was a German composer and music teacher. He was best known for his composition titled Elegie.
• Alfred Trenkel: He was a German soldier and recipient of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II.
• Helmut Trenkel: He was a German politician of the radical right wing party (Die Republikaner). His focus was on anti-immigration policies and he was known to have extreme views on social issues.
• Alfons Trenkel: He was a German music scholar and author. He was known for his scholarly works on the history of music in Western culture.
• Gina Trenkel: She is a German actress, best known for her role in the television series Berlin, Berlin.
• Tina Trenkel: She is a German actress, known for her roles in the television series Die Schule der kleinen Vampire, Die wilden Siebziger, and Traumschiff surprise.
• Johannes Trenkel: He is a German actor, best known for his work in Der Tunnel, Mordkommission Berlin 2, and Der Kirmesclown.

Other surnames

TrenklTrenkle