Surname Frankl - Meaning and Origin
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Frankl: What does the surname Frankl mean?
The last name Frankl is of German origin and it is derived from the Middle High German word “Frankel”, which roughly translates as “free man”. This implies that a person who bears this surname was either born a freeman or assumed a noble status. The name Frankl could have been adopted by freed German slaves or by those who had either purchased or inherited the noble title.
The name Frankl is associated with several notable figures throughout history, including German scientist Alexander Frankl and Austrian-American neurologist and psychiatrist Viktor Frankl. Both of them are renowned for their groundbreaking achievements in their respective fields.
Today, the name Frankl conjures up thoughts of freedom, nobility, and intellect. It is the perfect name for people who are looking for a name that carries a sense of power, independence, and success. Ultimately, the name Frankl is a reminder of the resilient spirit of a free man and it serves as a source of inspiration for anyone who takes up this name.
Order DNA origin analysisFrankl: Where does the name Frankl come from?
The last name Frankl is most commonly found today in Central and Eastern Europe. While it is possible the name could have spread further due to migration, the name is especially prominent in countries such as Austria, Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
In Austria, for example, the surname was found to be the 812th most common in the country according to the 2019 census, present in 3,612 households. The Czech Republic had 16,478 Frankl households recorded in the 2019 census, making it the 157th most popular last name in the country. Germany had the surname present in almost 8,000 households in the 2019 census, placing it near the 950th most popular name.
In addition to these countries, there is also evidence of the surname being present in the United States and other parts of the world, especially through immigration.
Overall, the surname of Frankl is relatively common in Central and Eastern Europe, though it can be seen in other parts of the world, including the United States.
Variations of the surname Frankl
The surname Frankl or Frankel is of Jewish origin and is thought to be derived from the German-Yiddish personal name Frankl or Frankel, which is itself derived from the Middle High German word 'franko', meaning 'free one'. The variants and spellings of this surname are numerous; Fränkel, Frankl, Frankel, Fränkle, Franckl, Franckel, Franckle, Franckl, and Franckle.
In many instances, the surname has also been Anglicized to "Francis" or "Frank".
Variants can also be found in other languages. In Russian, the Frankel surname may be spelled "Fronkul", and in Hungarian it is "Funkol". In the Yiddish language, variations of the Frankl surname include Frank, Frankel, Frainkl, and Frainkle.
The Frankel surname is also sometimes found with hyphenated variants, such as "Frank-Kohl" and "Frank-Konig".
In addition to these spellings, the surname has also been Germanized to"Franch", "Frankland", or "Franzmann".
As the surname migrated, its spelling changed due to pronunciation variations and their associated spelling variations. In the US, the Frankel name may also be found spelled as "Frankle" or "Frankli" as part of the Americanization process in the 19th century.
Famous people with the name Frankl
- Viktor Frankl: an acclaimed neurologist and psychotherapist who developed the school of psychological thought known as Logotherapy, and is most famous for his best-selling book, Man’s Search for Meaning.
- Max Frankl: a German physician who, along with Viktor Frankl, developed the school of psychological thought known as Logotherapy.
- David Frankl: an American engineer and entrepreneur who is famous for founding the company Frankl and Associates, which is a medical equipment manufacturer.
- Steven Frankl: an American actor, dancer, and singer best known for his roles in musicals such as Sweeney Todd and The Producers.
- Martha Frankl: an American sculptor and painter known for her abstract sculptures and figures made of wire mesh.
- Michael Frankl: an Australian physicist and cosmologist known for his work on dark energy, black holes, and the large-scale structure of the universe.
- Elvira Frankl: a Hungarian violinist and music educator who worked extensively in the field of music education in Central Europe in the 1950s and ‘60s.
- Richard Frankl: an American psychiatrist who developed the concept of Transactional Analysis and is known for his work on personal growth and emotional wellness.
- John Frankl: an American architect who designed the Eggers Hall dormitory at Brown University.
- Paul Frankl: an American architect and designer who worked extensively in Streamline Modern design. He was most famous for designing the Kaufmann Desert House in California.