Surname Blankenagel - Meaning and Origin
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Blankenagel: What does the surname Blankenagel mean?
The last name Blankenagel is an old German surname with origins in the Upper German language. It is derived from the Middle German word ‘Blanchenagel’, which translates to ‘white nail’ in English. It was an occupational name for someone who made nails or worked with metal.
The ‘Blank’ element of the name is believed to be derived from a combination of two Middle High German words ‘blanc’ meaning ‘white’ and ‘golden’ referencing goldsmithing. The ending ‘-enagel’ part of the name may be related to the words ‘angel’ or ‘fingerring’ meaning ‘ring. In addition, the term ‘nagel’ means ‘nail’.
Variations of the Blankenagel surname have been found throughout Europe, including both Germany and Austria. The surname is most commonly found today in parts of East-Central Germany, mainly in Thuringen.
The surname is also sometimes spelled Blankenagle or Blankenagel. The variations of the spelling mark the surname's gradual evolution over time, and the family's dispersal of spelling throughout the world based on regional dialects.
The Blankenagel surname has remained relatively rare throughout its history, with only a few hundred people bearing the name to date.
Order DNA origin analysisBlankenagel: Where does the name Blankenagel come from?
The surname Blankenagel is still common in Germany today. According to the United States Census Bureau, there were 163 individuals with this surname living in the United States as of 2018, but the majority of this surname are still found in Germany.
Blankenagel is primarily a German surname derived from two words, “blank” meaning “white” and “agal” meaning “eve”. Together these words likely refer to a white evening or dawn - a fitting name for a family.
In modern times, the surname Blankenagel is mostly concentrated in the northern regions of Germany, most notably the states of Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. In Lower Saxony, Blankenagel is the 246th most common surname and the 889th most common in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Although the geographic origin of the surname is unknown, records show the earliest notable persons with the surname was a Johann Blankenagel who was born in 1716 in Bisdorf, Germany.
Beyond Germany, this surname is still common in places such as Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands where the Blankenagels of German origin likely moved in the 18th and 19th centuries.
In summary, Blankenagel is a common German surname found in the northern regions of the country as well as parts of Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. It likely originated from two words, “blank” meaning “white” and “agal” meaning “eve”. The earliest record of an individual with this name was from 1716.
Variations of the surname Blankenagel
The Blankenagel surname is primarily found in German-speaking countries, though it has spread to other countries over the years. Variations in spelling and pronunciation include: Blankenhagen, Blankemich, Blankenack, Blankennaack, Blankenmich, Blankenmoos, Blankenmyer, Blankenmeyer, Blankenrath, and Blankenried.
The Blankenagel surname originated in Germany during the Middle Ages. Its roots go back to the construction of castles and other fortifications as a way to protect villages and towns from outside attacks. The name Blankenagel literally translates to “clear nail” and is a reference to the medieval practice of using large metal nails to secure shutters or doors. It is believed that this is where the Blankenagel surname originated.
The Blankenagel surname is derived from the German “Blancken”, which is a combination of the words for “white” and “nail”. In some variations of the spelling, the “ck” in Blancken has changed to an “g”, leading to the name Blankenagel. This change in spelling is thought to have occurred as a result of regional and local variations in pronunciation and spelling during the 14th century.
In some cases, the surname Blankenagel has also been used as a surname for people living in Switzerland and Austria. In these countries, the name is sometimes spelled Blanckenagel or Blankenacker. It is important to note that the conditions of certain countries, such as Germany, Switzerland, and Austria can often change the spelling and pronunciation of the Blankenagel surname.
In the United States, the surname Blankenagel is generally pronounced “blan-kuh-nag-el” with the “g” being silent. Variations in spelling and pronunciation across different countries can often lead to confusion and sometimes to different surname variations. It is important to note that the Blankenagel surname is generally associated with German-speaking countries and is not common in other countries.
Famous people with the name Blankenagel
- Angie Blankenagel, German singer
- Jaime Blankenagel, American Olympic swimmer
- Clifford Blankenagel, American actor
- Henri Blankenagel, German painter
- Edward Blankenagel, German journalist and writer
- Michail Blankenagel, Russian actor
- Rupert Blankenagel, German sculptor
- Ekkehart Blankenagel, German biologist
- Eleanor Blankenagel, German banker
- Heinrich Blankenagel, German theologian