Surname Bentzel - Meaning and Origin

Bentzel: What does the surname Bentzel mean?

The surname Bentzel is of German origin. This surname is derived from the old German personal name Bernhard, which is composed of the elements "bern" meaning bear and "hard" meaning brave, strong or hardy. Thus, the name carries the symbolic interpretation of "brave or strong as a bear". German names often have deep meanings and are derived from the ancient heritage and culture of the country, which is true in the case of Bentzel. Like many surnames, it may have started as a nickname or a characteristic trait, with the person identified as bold or as strong as a bear. Over time, it was passed down to successive generations as a family name. However, it's important to note that there can be different evolutionary paths and meanings within various family branches. Even though it's majorly found in Germany, due to migration over centuries, the surname and its variants can be found in many countries around the world.

Bentzel: Where does the name Bentzel come from?

The last name Bentzel is a common German surname, primarily found in Southwestern Germany. According to the International Genealogical Index, the Bentzel surname can also be found in France, Switzerland, Austria, and the Czech Republic.

In the United States, immigrants from those countries brought the Bentzel surname with them and the name is now scattered throughout most states. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Pennsylvania has the highest concentration of Bentzels, followed by New York, Illinois, California and Ohio.

The surname is most common in the rural countryside and small towns of Germany where there are still numerous generations of families who have traced their lineage back to the original Bentzel family of the 16th century.

In the United States, however, the Bentzel surname is fast becoming more popular, with its presence increasing due to a later influx of German and European immigrants. Today, the Bentzel surname is still found most commonly in states with larger populations of German immigrants, such as Texas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and New Jersey. The surname is most often found in areas with higher populations of German-Americans, especially in rural areas and smaller cities.

The Bentzel name is becoming increasingly popular and visible in the United States, although it indisputably still has many roots in its Germanic origin.

Variations of the surname Bentzel

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Bentzel include Bentzell, Bentzellor, Bentzinger, Bentzelin, Bentzler, and Bensall. Some German spellings for this surname are Bentzler, Bänzler, Bänzl, and Bennzler.

This surname originated from the medieval personal name 'Bencel', meaning 'Little Bend' or 'Little Blessing', which is derived from the Middle High German 'Bense' meaning 'bend' or 'curve' and the diminutive 'el' meaning 'little one'. The surname Bentzel is considered to be of German origin, and it was first mentioned in 1267 in Bavaria.

From the Middle Ages, the various spellings of this surname, such as Bentzler, Bensler, and Bänsler, were found in south Germany, with the highest concentration in Baden-Wurttemberg and Bavaria. Later, its popularity spread to Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Switzerland, as well as other countries within central Europe, such as Poland.

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, numerous people with the surname Bentzel immigrated to the United States. Today, they are found in many states, including New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas. In addition, the surname can also be found in Canada, South Africa, Australia, and various other parts of the world.

Famous people with the name Bentzel

• Tracy Bentzel: Major League Baseball (MLB) player and scout
• Bret Bentzel: National Football League (NFL) Offensive Coordinator
• Bob Bentzel: Former basketball player at Hofstra University
• Steve Bentzel: Freelance music producer and sound engineer
• Hans-Jürgen Bentzel: German politician
• Rich Bentzel: Professor of History and Philosophy at Elizabethtown College
• Lindley Bentzel: Oboist and former artist of the Bach Sinfonia
• Phil Bentzel: Folk musician and songwriter
• Robin Bentzel: Director at the Institute for Redefining Retirement
• Lorraine Bentzel: Costume designer and professor
• Jeannette Bentzel: Professional consultant to the hospitality industry
• Cheryl Bentzel-Barrett: Volunteering Consultant
• Tyler Bentzel: US Army veteran and CFO of The Johns Hopkins Hospital
• Rand Bentzel: Theologian and columnist
• André Bentzel: Astronomer and geologist
• Actress Caroline Bentzel
• Lyndsy Bentzel: Actress
• Keaton Bentzel: Youtuber
• Bryan Bentzel: Actor
• Kelly Bentzel: Singer

Other surnames

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