Surname Fintzel - Meaning and Origin
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Fintzel: What does the surname Fintzel mean?
The last name Fintzel is believed to be an occupational German surname that has its origins in the Middle Ages. It was first recorded in the 13th century and likely comes from the word "Vincenz," which means "to conquer." As such, it is likely derived from the name "Victor," which is derived from the Latin word "victor," meaning "conqueror." This surname was then passed down from generation to generation and is still used today.
The most common variation of the name is believed to be Fintzel, although variations such as Föntzel, Veentzel, Finckel, Vintzel, and Fenschel are also found in Germany. The immediate origin is not known, but German records show the presence of Fintzel families in multiple regions of the country, from the Rheinland-Palatinate to Saxony, and Bavaria to Prussia.
The Fintzel surname is most commonly associated with the meaning of "conqueror," referring to the Germanic qualities of strength and bravery. Despite this, its exact origin is unknown, and its true meaning could have been changed over the centuries. Usage of the name continues today, especially amongst descendants of the original families in Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisFintzel: Where does the name Fintzel come from?
The surname Fintzel is a German surname with early roots in the cultural heritage of the Palatinate, an area of historic significance along the Rhine River in southwestern Germany. Today, the last name Fintzel is most prevalent in the German states of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia, where it is usually found among rural populations clustered in small villages along the Rhine. In Germany, there are an estimated 1,400 people with the last name Fintzel.
Fintzel is also found in other parts of Europe, including the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Luxembourg. The spelling of the name may vary, depending on the language of the region - for example, in French-speaking areas it is often spelled Fentzel or Fentzeller. Globally, estimates suggest that there are fewer than 5,000 people worldwide with the last name Fintzel, but this figure includes speakers of languages far beyond German.
The family name has spread to the United States and some other Anglophone countries as a result of German immigration, and can now be found in European American communities. The number of people carrying the last name Fintzel in the United States and Canada is estimated to be approximately 400.
In summary, the surname Fintzel is most common in Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, with significant populations also found in other parts of Europe, the United States, and Canada.
Variations of the surname Fintzel
The surname Fintzel is likely derived from the Hebrew word “Fainzell”. It is an occupational surname that sprung up in Western Europe referring to a dealer or seller of pins and needles. Variants of this surname include Fintz, Fints, Fintsel, Finckel, Fincz, Finczell, Finckl, Finkl, Finkel, Finsel, Fintsel, Fintz, Fintzell, Vintzel and Vintzell.
In Germany, the Fintzel family has had a long history, spanning at least 600 years. It is thought that the family descended from the House of Habsburg of Vienna, Austria. The earliest record of this surname in the area is from 1410, when Friedrich Fintzel was a nobleman in the Free Imperial City of Frankfurt.
Fintzel is also a Jewish surname that first arose in the Middle Ages. It was adopted by Jewish families living in western Europe and other parts of the world. Early records of the name appear in Austria and Germany in the mid-1700s by the family of Solomon Fintzel who were originally from Spiska Nová Ves in Slovakia.
In the United States, the family was mainly found in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey. There are also records of a Fintzel family arriving in Philadelphia in 1731 from the Germanic state of Wuerttemberg and in 1748 from Germany. Variants of the surname could be found in other states such as California, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts.
Overall, when researching the surname Fintzel, it is important to keep in mind the various spelling and usage of variants of this surname, depending on geographical location.
Famous people with the name Fintzel
- Joe Flanzig: professional poker player
- Joseph J. Flanzig: New York lawyer and former judge
- Arnold Fintzel: Jewish American humorist and satirist
- Richard Flanzig: National Public Radio producer
- Tony Fintzel: former head coach of the Dallas Cowboys
- Jack Flanzig: filmmaker and television producer
- Stuart Flanzig: writer and marketing consultant
- Debra Fintzel: Holocaust survivor and author
- Ben Fintzel: jazz musician
- Anna Fintzel: artist and sculptor