Surname Boekel - Meaning and Origin
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Boekel: What does the surname Boekel mean?
The surname Boekel is a Dutch toponymic surname, derived from a place-name. The origin of the name is uncertain, but it may be from the Dutch words "boe" or "boek" meaning "beech tree" and "el" meaning "alder", making the name literaly "beech tree alder." Some sources indicate that the place the name is derived from may be Boekelo, a village in Overijssel, the Netherlands. It's likely that the Boekel family originated in this village, and the name may also have evolved from some other similar place-name.
The Boekel family crest, which appears to be primarily a crescent on a shield, is typically surrounded on three sides by five stars. The centre of the shield also often contains a lion. This crest is traditional of Dutch families and is representative of the family's importance and respect in the community.
The Boekel family has an interesting and diverse ancestry. By tradition, Boekel was a craftsmans family, known for their knowledge of the earth and farming and livestock. Over the centuries, the family variously branched into catering, farming, jewelry, jewelry-making, clock- and ship-building, among other areas.
Though the Borekel family may not be well-known now, it's likely that they played an important role in the development of Dutch culture and commerce centuries ago.
Order DNA origin analysisBoekel: Where does the name Boekel come from?
The last name Boekel is most common in The Netherlands today. According to the national statistics bureau CBS, it is among the top 0.3% most common last names in the country.
Boekel is derived from the Dutch word “beuk”, which means “beech tree”. It was an occupational name, given to people who lived, worked, or owned land in an area where beech trees were common. The name was especially popular in the Dutch Province of North Brabant.
Today, the largest concentration of Boekels can be found in The Netherlands, where there are over 11,000 people with the last name. Outside of The Netherlands, the Boekel name can be found in Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Austria and the United States. In each of those countries, there are fewer than 500 people with the last name.
Although the original spelling of the name was “Beukel” or “Beukelaa”, the spelling has changed over time, and today the spelling “Boekel” is the most common. You can find Boekels in many different professions and walks of life, ranging from teachers to entrepreneurs to even royal family members.
Variations of the surname Boekel
The surname Boekel is a habitational surname, derived from the Dutch town of 's-Boekels Goor, located in north Brabant. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Boekel are as follows:
Boejkel - This variant is phonetically similar, and is found in the Netherlands in small numbers.
Boekelman – This variant is also found in the Netherlands, and is derived from the term 'Boekelman'.
Buechel – This is the closest variant, found mainly in Germany, which is also derived from the Dutch word 'Boekels'.
Buchal – This variant is similar to the one before, found mainly in Austria.
Boekeloo – Another variant, found mainly in the Netherlands.
Beukel – This variant was found mainly in the Netherlands, and is derived from the term 'Beukel'.
Beukelman – Another variant found mainly in the Netherlands, derived from the term 'Beukelman'.
Beuckel – This variant is derived from the German term 'Beuckel', which is also derived from the Dutch word 'Boekels'.
Boekelaer – A variant found mainly in the Netherlands, this is derived from the German term 'Boekelaer'.
Boekelhorst – This is the closest spelling to the original, found mainly in the Netherlands, and is derived from the German term 'Boekelhorst'.
These are the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Boekel. Today, these variants are most commonly found in the Netherlands, as well as Germany, Austria, France, and the United States.
Famous people with the name Boekel
- Jonathan Boekel: Dutch cricketer
- Wim van Boekel: Dutch legal scholar and historian
- Gerrit Willem van Boekel: Dutch Speed skater
- Martinus J.K. van Boekel: Dutch Professor of Veterinary Medicine
- Evert van Boekel: Dutch Bishop
- Adri van Boekel: Dutch Professor of Dynamics and Control of Biomolecular Processes
- Jacob van Boekel: Dutch footballer
- Gellius Faber van Boekel: Dutch historian
- Jan Philip van Boekel: Dutch civil servant and politician
- Gerardus Steven van Boekel: Dutch organist, conductor, composer and music professor