Surname Hankel - Meaning and Origin
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Hankel: What does the surname Hankel mean?
The last name Hankel is a German occupational surname usually associated with tailors. It is derived from the Middle Low German word "hanke", which means "skein" or "hank". In early times, tailors would typically store large amounts of thread in such skeins. The Hankels were the people who sold thread and fabric to tailors.
The name Hankel has been in use since the medieval era, and there is evidence that its use dates back to the 12th century. It is believed to have become strongly associated with tailoring and fabric merchants by the 16th century.
Today, Hankel is a popular German surname, having spread beyond its origin in the tailoring workshops of medieval Europe. It is also found frequently in the United States and Canada, typically as a result of immigration.
Hankel is not only a distinct surname, but also a symbolic representation of the legacy of tailoring and textile making across the world. It is a reminder of the craftsmanship and care that goes into producing quality clothing for people everywhere.
Order DNA origin analysisHankel: Where does the name Hankel come from?
The last name Hankel is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the North and East regions of the country. Hankel is also found in other parts of Europe, including Switzerland, Austria, and parts of Poland. Beyond Europe, Hankel can also be found in some parts of Russia, scattered throughout North America, and in Australia.
The origins of the Hankel surname can be traced to Germany, and it likely began as an occupational name for someone who worked as a steward or servant, or as a nickname for a person who had a particular physical resemblance to a rooster. Today, Hankel is one of the most common surnames in Germany, with only a handful of other countries reporting notable populations.
The Hankel surname is widely known for its prominent association with German mathematician Erhard Hankel, who, in 1909, laid the foundations of the theory of entire functions. He was also known for his work in Fourier analysis, integral equations, and the theory of differential equations.
The Hankel surname continues to be a prominent German surname today, and with its interesting history and strong cultural connections, it is likely to remain a common name both in Germany and abroad.
Variations of the surname Hankel
The surname Hankel is a German and Jewish surname. It is often spelled differently and has several variants and surnames of the same origin. Variations of Hankel include Ankel, Hankelmann, Hancken, Hanke, Hankelmann, Hanken, Hankels, and others. Other surnames of the same origin include Hanckel, Hancken, Handl, Handel, Hangel, Hangœl, Hankel, and Smith, Hanckles, Handkal, Handkle, and Handels.
The surname Hankel is derived from the German term ‘Hahn’ meaning rooster and the suffix ‘kel’ meaning small. The name was likely used as a nickname to denote someone who was humble or shy, or perhaps had a certain number of chickens or roosters. It could also have been used for a person who owned a mill (‘Haenkel’ ), or worked in a woodwind instrument factory (‘Hancken’).
The surname Hankel is most common in Germany, the United States, and in parts of western France and northern England. The Hankel variant is the most common in Germany, while Hanken and Hankes are more common in the United States.
In the Jewish tradition, the surname Hankel is derived from the Hebrew name, Hanan (meaning grace). It is also transliterated as Honen or Honigman in some cases. The Jewish variants may have derived from a field of study, occupation, or a nickname for someone who moved a great deal. One translation of the surname is ‘one who amasses wealth’, so in some cases, the surname may have been adopted to show higher social standing and wealth.
Famous people with the name Hankel
- Harald Hankel, German mathematician and philosopher
- Alexander Hankel, German mineralogist
- Jesko von Puttkamer, German-American aerospace engineer
- Benedikt Hankel, German sculptor
- Benno Hankel, German field hockey player
- Fritz Hankel, German tennis coach
- Gerd Hankel, German American mathematician
- Ingo Hankel, German footballer
- Johann Hankel, German mineralogist
- Karl Wilhelm Hankel, German physicist
- Paul Hankel, German sailor
- Waldemar Hankel, German ski jumper
- Ursula Hankel, German pharmacist and physician