Surname Benzel - Meaning and Origin

Benzel: What does the surname Benzel mean?

Benzel is a surname of German origin. It is derived from the medieval German personal name 'Benz', which is a pet form of the popular name Bernhard. Bernhard contains the elements "bern" which means 'bear', and "hard" which means 'brave, hardy' or 'strong'. Thus, the name Benzel could be loosely interpreted to mean 'son of the brave/strong bear'. Like other patronymic names, it was created by adding a suffix denoting 'little' or 'son of' to a father's name. Benzel may have been used to denote 'son of Benz'. It is important to note that the meanings of surnames can vary based on region and time period, and many are subject to different interpretations. In modern times, the surname Benzel is found in many countries including the United States, Germany, and others, carried by individuals of diverse backgrounds and professions.

Benzel: Where does the name Benzel come from?

The last name Benzel is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is a German surname which derives from the Old German 'Benzelin', meaning 'Little Benzo' or 'Little Benny'. In Germany, Benzel is the 25th most common surname as of 2019, while in Austria it is the 55th most common surname. Benzel is also a relatively common surname in the United States, ranking in the top 1,000 most common surnames. It is especially predominant in the states of Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska.

The last name Benzel can also be found in other countries to varying degrees including Canada, England, Brazil, Italy, France, and the Netherlands. It is likely that the family origins of those with the surname Benzel are a combination of those countries, with some influence from other countries that took part in emigration to these countries in the past few hundred years.

Many notable people have been born with the last name Benzel, including American attorney, professor, and former Supreme Court justice Joseph Benzel, German musician Andreas Benzel, and Brazilian footballer Renan Benzel.

Variations of the surname Benzel

The surname Benzel is believed to have originated from German and ultimately morphed into several regional variants across Europe. Some of the different spellings and variants for Benzel are Bensel, Beneele, Bensele, Bensele, Bensell, Bensoll, and Bensull.

The surname Benzel could have originated from Bavarian, meaning "an inhabitant of Benzo," a small town near Oberammergau, Germany. The original 'Benzo' inhabitants would have been referred to as 'Benzel' and the surname originated from there and spread as those with the surname moved away, taking on the various spelling variants record to this day.

In German, the surname Benzel may have originated from similar appellations such as Bensche, Benso, Benze, Bender, and Bense. These names would have been used as given names that are now used as surnames. It is likely that the name then took on various spellings during the course of migration and language evolution, eventually becoming Benzel.

The surname Benzel is also common amongst immigrants from Eastern European countries, in particular Poland and the Ukraine. In Poland, the surname Benzel may have originated from the given name Benzo, or Benzel, which was popular in the 16th century. In the Ukraine, the variants Bensel, Bensoll, and Bensell can be traced back to the 17th century and it is probable that these related forms evolved from a more ancient version of Benzel.

Overall the surname Benzel has evolved over time and now appears in its various forms and spellings across Europe and beyond, making it a more ubiquitous yet unique name.

Famous people with the name Benzel

• Dr. Robert Benzel: Neurologist; professor emeritus at Stanford University
• Ellen Benzel: American television producer, working on shows such as Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
• Bruce Benzel: Professional golfer; member of the PGA Tour between 1987 and 1996
• Chris Benzel: American film actor, writer, producer, and director
• Gerald Benzel: German film director and producer; known for films such as The Garden of Roses and The Long Shadow
• Jennifer Benzel: American opera singer; winner of multiple accolades for her work in the field
• Lauren Benzel: American actress and producer; best known for her roles in TV shows such as Grey’s Anatomy and Charmed
• Matthew Benzel: American film producer; best known for producing the independent comedy film Shrink
• Peter Benzel: German football (soccer) player; played for the German Bundesliga team Werder Bremen
• Ross Benzel: American musician; member of the garage punk band Bummer High

Other surnames

BenzeBenzer