Surname Hansel - Meaning and Origin
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A Genetic Journey into the Past: Unravelling the Mystery of Ancestor Hansel with iGENEA DNA Test
A journey through my ancestors' DNA, as discovered through iGENEA, has revealed a plethora of unexpected insights. The revelation of my ancestor Hansel's Eastern European heritage and his contributions to arts have not only reshaped my understanding of my lineage but also instilled in me a fascination for human evolution and cultural diversity.
T. Hansel
read moreHansel: What does the surname Hansel mean?
The last name Hansel is a Germanic surname, originating in the Holy Roman Empire. The name is derived from the Germanic personal name Hans, which is a variation of Johannes. Thus, the surname Hansel literally translates to "Hans' son" and may have originally denoted an individual whose father was named Hans.
Throughout Germanic history, the name Hans served as a popular given name for boys. This was due to its meaning of "God is gracious" or "gift of God," which was attractive for people in the early modern period of Europe who viewed naming their children after religious terms as a sign of piety. It is therefore likely that the surname Hansel is most commonly found amongst families who subscribed to Catholic faith during that time.
Today, the surname is most commonly found throughout the German-speaking countries, including Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, as well as those with Germanic ancestry in the United States and Canada.
The modern Hansel surname has become associated with several notable people, including the Brothers Grimm fairytale character Hansel; the popstar Taylor Hanson; and the cat Hansel, the third feline to go into space.
Order DNA origin analysisHansel: Where does the name Hansel come from?
The surname Hansel is of German origin and is believed to have originated with a wrestling move utilized by a person living in Germany centuries ago. Its meaning is believed to translate to “wrestler”, “champion”, or “hero”. In recent times, the name Hansel has become fairly common throughout many countries and cultures.
The last name Hansel can be found throughout various European countries, especially in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. German-speaking countries make up the majority of Hansels today, with their estimated population in these countries being more than 40,000. In more recent decades, the number of Hansels has grown significantly due to the migration of people of German origin living around the world, particularly in the United States.
Outside of German-speaking countries, the surname Hansel is also on the rise in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as other regions around the world. It is a relatively common name and can often be found among people of German or Austrian descent.
Overall, the last name Hansel remains popular in many countries and has grown significantly over the centuries. It is particularly popular among German and Austrian people living in countries around the world, particularly throughout Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Hansel
The surname Hansel can have many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variation of Hansel is Hansell, which is derived directly from the original German form of the surname. Other variants stem from the other German dialects spoken in the area from where Hansel originated; these include Haansel, Hänsel, Hänssel, Hansele, Hansle, Hansli, Hanschel, and Hensley. Moreover, variations with a French origin include Hanselle, Hansellot, and Hanselet.
Hansel can also have various ethnic spellings and surnames. In Czechoslovakia, Hansel is spelled Hanzlík, and in other Slavic languages it is spelled Hanzlik. Additionally, there are several forms of the pronounceable surname that have variants in the Netherlands, including Hanselaar, Hansekind, and Hansman.
It is interesting to note that the English form of the surname, Handel, was a popularized alteration due to the rise of popularity of the Baroque composer, George Frideric Handel. It is also believed that the English Handley also derives from a variation of Hansel. Moreover, Handel is a popular German Jewish surname that may have been adopted in homage to George Handel and originated independently from the Hansel surname.
Finally, the Hansel surname is thought to have Welsh origins, having been derived from the given name Hansel. In Welsh, the given name Hansel is derived from the Scandinavian root elements “han” or “hån” meaning luck and “sel” meaning battle or struggle. Thus, the surname Hansel could mean “lucky battle” or “lucky struggle”.
Famous people with the name Hansel
- Lina Hansel, German film actress
- Valentin Hansel, French fencer
- Catarina Hansel, Austrian Olympic skier
- Otto Hansel, German politician and journalist
- Bernd Hansel, German theologian
- Richard Hansel, Canadian-born American designer
- Harry Hansel, New Zealand civil engineer and Antarctic explorer
- Paul Hansel, German geophysicist and volcanologist
- Michèle Hansel, French Olympic figure skater
- Wolfgang Hansel, Austrian multiple Paralympic champion swimmer