Surname Bokeloh - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Bokeloh: What does the surname Bokeloh mean?
The last name Bokeloh is a German surname of locational origin, derived from a place name originating in Northern Germany in the region of Lower Saxony. The name itself comes from a combination of two Germanic words – ‘bogal’, meaning ‘meadow’ and ‘Oh’, meaning ‘riverbank’. A number of variants of the surname exist, including Bokel, Bokal, Bokoel, Beukel and Bokello.
The earliest recorded instance of the Bokeloh surname belongs to one Dietrich de Bokele, who appeared in documents around 1262 in the city of Lede mark in Hanover, Lower Austria. Following this, many more Bavarian and Saxon-speaking families adopted the surname during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Nowadays, the Bokeloh surname is found all over the world. Since the latter years of the 19th century, the name has been spread through emigration, featuring in the histories of North America, South America and Australia. In Europe, it can be found most prevalently in North Germany, The Netherlands and Scandinavia. It is also a fairly common name in large Eastern European cities, such as Belgrade and Krakow.
Though the origins of the name remain fairly obscure, its prevalence and global reach today demonstrate its impressive heritage. The Bokeloh family has flourished over the centuries, a testament to the work and sacrifices of its ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisBokeloh: Where does the name Bokeloh come from?
The last name Bokeloh is quite a rare one, and today, it is most frequently found in Germany and Denmark. In Germany, it is mostly seen in the northern part of the country and in Schleswig-Holstein. In Denmark, it is most common in Nordjylland and across the Jutland peninsula.
The Bokeloh family is thought to have originated in the area of Hamburg, with records of the surname first appearing in the 14th century. As such, much of the Bokeloh family tree is concentrated around this area and around the city of Lübeck.
The name Bokeloh is made up of two elements. The first is 'Boke', which refers to a shape, most commonly used to describe something round or cylindrical. The second element, 'loh', probably comes from German dialects, where it is used as a suffix for village and place names. This suggests that the city, or a local landmark, may be the original origin of the name.
In the past three centuries, the Bokeloh name has spread to other countries, most notably the U.S., where records of immigrants with the name first appeared in the mid-19th century. However, the majority of the Bokeloh population is still concentrated in Germany and Denmark.
Given the popularity of the Bokeloh surname in the region, it’s likely that modern descendants of the original family are still living in the area today, and the name will continue to be seen in Germany and Denmark for years to come.
Variations of the surname Bokeloh
The surname Bokeloh is of Germanic origin and can be spelled several ways. Variants of the surname include Bokeloff, Bokelloff, Bokelow, Bokelo, Bockello, and Bokillo.
The most common spelling is Bokeloh which likely originates from the words Boeckels, bocwels or boecke which refers to a "hut or dwelling" that is small. This is likely in relation to both the lineage of the family and the metaphysical meaning of the surname.
Other possible spellings in antiquity include Bokel, Bokehl, Bokelen, Bokely, Boeckel, Boychel, and Boker.
The origin of the surname Bokeloh is not well-known, but it is believed to have derived from either the old Germanic “boeckel" meaning “small dwelling” or the old High-German “boeckel” meaning “breaker, or breaker of laws.”
The spelling of the surname could also be altered to encompass the local dialects in various areas of Germany. As such, other versions of the surname include Bookel, Boeckelin, Boelke, Boeckli, Boeckelen, Boeckell, Bokehle, and Bokkelhew.
In the modern era, the name Bokeloh has been modified and abbreviated into other spelling forms, including Bokel, Bokell, Bokelo, Bokeloh, Bokelow, and Bokellof.
As migration occurred, the surname Bokeloh has become quite prevalent in specific regions throughout Europe and North America. As a result, the surname has adopted a variety of alternate spellings such as Bockeloh, Bokle, Boegel, Bokloh, and Boegeloo.
In conclusion, the surname Bokeloh is of Germanic origin and is commonly altered to incorporate local dialects. Variants of the surname include Bokeloff, Bokelloff, Bokelow, Bokelo, Bockello, and Bokillo.
Famous people with the name Bokeloh
- Jonas Bokeloh: German professional golfer
- Miles Bokeloh: American artist and Co-founder of the pan-African network and TV channel AfroPC
- Kenneth Bokeloh: Swedish better known as “Zapata”, a professional skateboarder
- Erik Bokeloh: German Christian singer and songwriter
- Max Bokeloh: Swiss cinematographer and film director
- Johannes Bokeloh: German lawyer and politician
- David Bokeloh: British diplomat who held posts in The Gambia and Uganda
- Christoph Bokeloh: German conductor, author, and actor
- Christopher Bokeloh: German sculptor
- Jeroen Bokeloh: Dutch classical violinist