Surname Criel - Meaning and Origin

Criel: What does the surname Criel mean?

The last name Criel is of French origin and is a general term for a certain type of person. The name is derived from the Old French word creel, meaning “merchant.” It is a very old surname, first mentioned in documents as early as the 12th century.

The last name Criel is commonly found among wealthy merchants and shop owners, but also refers to anyone who is dexterous and crafty in their dealings. It is thought to have come from the nickname "creul," or the French word for "clever," which was often given to those with business acumen.

In most instances, Criel is a purely occupational surname. People with the Criel surname have historically been involved in various types of trades and businesses, ranging from merchants, to store owners, to financiers. For this reason, the surname has come to imply ambition, resourcefulness, and success in business.

Criel is an all-encompassing name that refers to people from a variety of backgrounds and occupations. It is a testament to the hard work and creativity of those who come from this background and honors their success and achievements.

Criel: Where does the name Criel come from?

The surname Criel is most commonly found in the Netherlands, where records indicate that it first appeared in the 17th century. It is believed to have originated from a nickname, as the name is thought to be derived from the Old French phrase meaning "curly hair." Records suggest that Criel was originally a relatively uncommon surname, with the Dutch distribution of the name being limited to smaller pockets in various regions.

Today, it is found throughout the Netherlands and Belgium, with a concentration of Criels in the provinces of South Holland and Zeeland. The surname is also found to a lesser degree in provinces such as Overijssel, Flevoland, Utrecht, and North Holland.

Criel is also found in other countries around the world where Dutch and Belgian immigrants have settled. Immigration records list Criel as a common surname among Dutch and Belgian immigrants to the United States between the mid-1800s and early 1900s. It is also found among Canadian immigrants of Dutch and Belgian heritage. Today, the surname is still relatively uncommon, although there are pockets of Criels scattered across The Netherlands, Belgium and around the world.

Variations of the surname Criel

The surname Criel is a patronymic name of French origin, derived from the popular given name Criel or Cri, meaning "rule" in ancient French. Variants, spellings, and surnames of this name originate from its French roots and have been anglicized over time. Common variants of Criel include Cryel, Crihel, Cril, Crielle, and Cryelle.

Variations of the surname Criel can be found in many countries around the world. In the United States, the surname Criel commonly appears as Creel. It is also found in Canada as both Creel and Criel. In the United Kingdom, the name Criel is found mainly in Scotland, as variations of Criel such as Cryel and Crihel are more common in that country.

Other variants of the surname Criel can be found in Australia, where it appears as Cryle and Cryell. Other variations of the name include Kriele and Krielle.

In Europe, the surname Criel is found mainly in France and Belgium, as well as in the Netherlands and Germany. The spelling Creil is common in France and Belgium, and Crielle is also found in both countries.

Other surnames that share the same etymological roots as Criel include Kreel, Kriel, Creelle, Krell, Cryelle, Kreelle, and Kriell. These surnames are all known to be derived from the same given name Criel, which is of French origin.

Famous people with the name Criel

• David Criel: Belgian musician, singer, and songwriter who is best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the alternative rock band A Brand.
• Genevieve Criel: Belgian composer, singer, and songwriter who won first prize at the International Songwriting Competition in 2012.
• Francesco Criel: Belgian artist known for his intricate works which often feature animals, small figures, and imaginary scenes.
• Marie-Paule Criel: Belgian artist and art therapist who specializes in children’s art education and therapy.
• Isabelle Criel: Belgian fashion designer who won the Andam Prize for ready-to-wear fashion in 2010.
• Marc Criel: Belgian poet and novelist who also works as a teacher at the Royal Conservatory of Ghent.
• Jean-Marie Criel: Belgian philosopher and theologian who is known for his works on philosophy of religion, (meta)ethics, and social ethics.
• Jan Criel: Belgian painter and sculptor who is most known for his work in the fields of expressionism and surrealism.
• Damien Criel: Belgian cellist and composer who studied at the Conservatory of Ghent and performs with numerous ensembles in Europe.

Other surnames

Crienitz