Surname Brueckel - Meaning and Origin
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Brueckel: What does the surname Brueckel mean?
The last name Brueckel is a surname of German origin. It is derived from the German word ‘Brücke’, which means ‘bridge’. It is believed to have been used as a nickname for someone who lives near a bridge, or worked in bridge construction. It is likely that the surname originated in the Middle Ages, when a large number of bridges were constructed in Germany to aid trade and transportation.
The earliest known spelling of this surname was ‘Bruckel’ in the 11th century and, gradually, over the centuries, the spelling evolved into ‘Brueckel’. People with the Brueckel surname could be found living not only in Germany, but also in Austria, Switzerland, France and the Netherlands.
Today, the Brueckel surname is still found throughout the world. Bearers of the name usually come from descent in the southern and western areas of Germany. There are a number of variations of the surname, including Bruckel, Breuckel, Breukkel, Bruckelin and Brueckelmann.
The name Brueckel continues to be an important part of German heritage. People with this surname continue to be proud of their Germanic roots, and the bridge that yields the name still stands as a symbol of strength and unity for many.
Order DNA origin analysisBrueckel: Where does the name Brueckel come from?
The last name Brueckel is most often found in Germany and Austria today. According to Surnamedb.com, Brueckel is an old German and Austrian occupational last name derived from the Middle High German word "bruockel", or "broad hat". The name originally referred to someone who may have worn a wide-brimmed hat. As of 2017, approximately 2,989 people have the last name Brueckel in Germany, and 56 people have the last name Brueckel in Austria, according to Forebears.com.
The earliest record of the last name Brueckel is in 1560 in Glarus, Switzerland, though many believe the last name was adopted by immigrants from Italy, Germany or Austria much earlier.
In the United States, Brueckel is a relatively uncommon surname. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 1990, just over 700 people in the United States had the last name Brueckel. By 2000 that number had grown to 990. Today, Forebears.com estimates the last name is held by approximately 1,619 people in the United States, making it the 9,970th most common last name in the country.
In short, the last name Brueckel is most commonly found today in Germany and Austria. Though relatively uncommon in the United States, the number of individuals with the name in the country has doubled in the last 30 years.
Variations of the surname Brueckel
The surname Brueckel has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant and spelling is Bruckel. This spelling is found mainly in Germany and other German-speaking countries and is often seen as an Americanization of the original name. According to the German phonebook, Brueckle is also a common variant and spelling of the surname. Another variation includes Brueckl which has a different pronunciation and is often used in southern Germany.
Other variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Brueck, Breukel, Breukl, Breukeley, Breuckel, Bruckl, Breuckl, Breukle, Breuckel, Brukle, and Breucklheim. Breckle is a rare surname that can also be considered a variant of Brueckel. It is a name derived from an old German word for a small brook, creek, or creek bed. It can also be associated with a place name derived from a smaller waterway crossing a larger river.
In addition to German variants, the surname Brueckel can be found spelled as Brockel, Brockl, and Broekel in Dutch and in Yiddish as Brukol. The Dutch spelling is more common and is often seen in the Netherlands and other Dutch-speaking countries.
The surname is most likely of German origin, but there has also been speculation that it originated in Prussia or a related area. This is due in part to the fact that one of the earliest known people with the name is confirmed to have been from East Prussia in the late 18th century.
Famous people with the name Brueckel
- Lauren Brueckel, American animator for DreamWorks and a visual development artist.
- Peter Brueckel, German composer and arranger.
- Rolf Breuckel, German actor.
- Edward Brueckel, American professional basketball player.
- Jaik Brueckel, Canadian hockey player.
- Maddy Brueckel, American biathlete.
- Paul Brueckel, American electrical engineer in the field of power engineering.
- Thomas Brueckel, German athlete and orthopedic doctor.
- Lawrence Brueckel, Australian actor and voice artist.
- Mary Brueckel, American artist, art critic, writer, and professor of art history at Amherst College.
- Jonathan Brueckel, American composer and violist.
- André Brueckel, German computer scientist and digital forensics expert.
- Leif Brueckel, Danish sculptor.
- Jack Brueckel, American political scientist and academic.
- Lisa Brueckel, German professional tennis player.