Surname Frenkel - Meaning and Origin
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Frenkel: What does the surname Frenkel mean?
The last name Frenkel is of German and Polish origin. It is derived from the German phrase frönen, which means 'to frequent', and the German word käl, which means 'small'. Together, the combination of the two words means 'people who frequent each other'. The surname is usually spelled Freinkel in Poland.
In German culture, the Frenkel surname is associated with the words für and kal, which mean ‘for’ and ‘cold’ respectively. This combination of words symbolizes someone who ‘endures the cold’ or is determined and strong-willed. This could refer to a kindred spirit or someone with strong character who is able to stand firm in tough times.
The Frenkel surname is also associated with the Jewish culture, as it was commonly used by members of the Jewish community. The most famous member of the Frenkel family was Baruch Spinoza, a philosopher from the 17th century. He was a major influence in the field of philosophy and his works are still studied to this day.
In addition to being associated with strength and determination, the Frenkel surname is also associated with the values of loyalty, hard work and honesty. The surname is a reminder of the importance of family and friendship, and of staying true to yourself and to those around you.
Order DNA origin analysisFrenkel: Where does the name Frenkel come from?
The last name Frenkel is most commonly found in areas with a large Jewish population. It is primarily found in Ashkenazi Jewish communities throughout Eastern Europe, Central Europe, and the Mediterranean region. The surname has also spread to surrounding countries. It can be found in Netherlands, France, Germany, Poland, Latvia, Hungary, Romania, Lithuania, Ukraine, & Belarus.
In addition, a significant number of people with the last name Frenkel now live in Israel, the United States, and Canada. While the majority of these people have Ashkenazi Jewish roots, some may also trace their ancestry back to other parts of Europe, such as Spain and Portugal.
The surname means 'little bird' in Yiddish, and is believed to have originated from Germany in the 15th century. It is thought to have been adopted by a group of Jewish families during the period of Jewish exile from Spain.
By the 19th century, it had spread very quickly throughout Eastern Europe, with large numbers of people with the last name Frenkel living in places like Germany, Poland, and Lithuania.
Today, the surname is still very common in many parts of the world. It is one of the most popular Jewish surnames, and can be found in countries such as the U.S., Canada, Germany, Poland, Latvia, Hungary, Romania, Lithuania, Ukraine, & Belarus.
Variations of the surname Frenkel
The surname Frenkel is an occupational name, derived from the word 'frenk', meaning 'free man'. It has a variety of variants, spellings and surnames that have the same origin. The most common variants are Frenkel, Frenkle, Frankle, Frankel, Franckle, Fronkel, Frankl, Fernkle, and Fürnkle. It is also seen in other countries, such as France, as French Fournier, and in Germany as Frankl and Franke.
Other variants include Fromkle, Fraenkel, Frinkel, Fresnel, Frenkler, and Fraenkler. In some cases, the surname is found in its original spelling of Frenkle.
The surname has been found in both Ashkenazic and Sephardic Jewish communities. In the United States, Frenkel is the 50,702nd most common surname. In the United Kingdom, Frankel is the 23,052nd most common surname, and in Australia, Frankel is the 19,189th most common surname.
It is often mistakenly spelled as Frankel, but the correct spelling is Frenkel.
In addition to the variant spellings of the original surname, there are a variety of other surnames derived from the same origin, including Frenkiel, Frenkil, Frankiel, Frankil, Fonkel, Funkel, and Fromkiel.
Famous people with the name Frenkel
- Shelly Frankel: Was a real estate investor and TV reality star on Bravo TV's "Million Dollar Listing Miami".
- Hirsch Frenkel: Was a German orthodox rabbi who wrote many rabbinical works, which are still studied today. 3.Leonard Frenkel: Was an American ophthalmologist and professor at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary and the NYU School of Medicine. 4.Howard Frenkel: Was an American professional basketball player who played for multiple teams in both the ABA and the NBA. 5.Stanley Frenkel: Was a Canadian songwriter who wrote the official national anthem of Israel. 6.Andy Frankel: Was a British World War II fighter pilot who was credited with the destruction of multiple German airplanes. 7.Lillian Frankel: Was an American photographer most famously remembered for her work in magazine portraiture. 8.Daniel Frenkel: Was a Russian-born pioneering theoretical physicist and professor of natural sciences who was awarded the Israel Prize in 1983. 9.Jack Frenkel: Was an American businessman, CEO of the New York Life Insurance Company from 1982 to 1986. 10.Joseph Frenkel: Was an American economist and author who served as the chairman of the Federal Reserve from 1944 to 1948.