Surname Herthel - Meaning and Origin

Herthel: What does the surname Herthel mean?

The surname Herthel is of Germanic, or English origin. It is derived from Lancaster County in the wooded hills of Pennsylvania, and it is believed to have derived from the Middle High German word hart, meaning "hard."

The surname Herthel may also be linked to an English name derived from the Old English words hearth (stone) and hyll (hill). This could denote a family who lived in the area, near a stone hill, and as such, was given the surname "Herthel" as a means of identification.

Herthel is also a popular surname in Europe. It is derived from an occupational name, which originally denoted a person who worked in quarries or stonecutting. For example, a person who would travel from town to town performing this work.

As a result, many people with the last name of Herthel may be descended from a family of stonecutters or miners. Today, the surname Herthel is a relatively common surname, with individuals living across Europe and beyond. It is also a popular surname among German-speaking countries.

The meaning of the surname Herthel is indicative of someone with strong character, someone who is devoted to their craft and to their family. It could also indicate someone who is resilient and strong-willed, and willing to take on challenges and fight for what they believe in.

Herthel: Where does the name Herthel come from?

The surname Herthel is a German-language surname that originated in the medieval German-speaking world. It is a variation of an earlier name, Herthman, which has its origins in the medieval German port city of Hamburg. Today, the Herthel surname is fairly uncommon. It appears to be most common in parts of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the republic of Liechtenstein. It may also have spread into other parts of Europe, especially former German-speaking territories, and may appear in Brazil due to the influence of German and Austrian settlers.

The Herthel surname is derived from a combination of two German words-- hormann, meaning "man," and herth, which is likely derived from Hamburg's Middle Low German name, harterth, meaning "hard". This combination of words gives the name Herthel its meaning, "hard man". It was likely originally given as a nickname for those who were known for their strong character or fortitude, although it could also be derived from a physical forebear with a hard character.

Given its European roots, the Herthel surname is not particularly common in the United States. However, a few records dating to the 17th and 18th centuries suggest that one or more Herthels immigrated to that country in the colonial period. These immigrants were likely German-language speakers originally from Germany, Austria, or Switzerland; however, their descendants are scattered across the country and could represent different cultural heritages.

Variations of the surname Herthel

The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Herthel are Herthol, Herthell, Hertello, Hertol, Hirtel, Hirtell, Hertell, Hertle, Hertlee, and Hertley.

The surname Herthel is of German origin, and likely derived from the personal names Hertolf or Herthold, both composed from the elements of ‘heri’ meaning ‘army’ and ‘wald’ meaning ‘rule’. The surname was most likely associated with a person of noble origin who held a position of power in a group or organization.

The surname is found in many forms in the German archives, with the earliest spelling being ‘Hertolf’ from Appenheim in 1250. Hertel is the most common spelling found, being first found in the Baden-Württemberg region in the 14th century. It was also found in other regions such as Prussia, Austria, and Bavaria.

The variants and derivations are also found in other countries outside Germany, such as France, the Czech Republic, and Poland. French versions of Herthel include Berthel, Bertholet, Hertelette, and Bertellier. Czech Republic derivations are Herlt and Hrltal while in Poland Herlicki, Hertello, and Hertel are some of the found spellings.

An early variant of the surname in the British Isles is Hewel, which was recorded in the 13th century ‘Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland’. Later variations of the name include Heartell, Harthill, Hirtle, and Hirtley.

In the United States, the name is found in numerous variations including Hertzell, Hartly, Hertel, Hertle, and Hertell. It is also possible that some of the name bearer in the US changed the spelling of the name to Herthel, when they encountered difficulty with the original spelling in the new land.

Famous people with the name Herthel

• Jessica Herthel: Jessica is an American author, activist, attorney, and advocate for LGBTQ equality. She is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of StoryCorp, the first national oral history organization dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
• Peter Herthel: Peter is an Austrian director, screenwriter, and producer. He has directed five feature films, three documentaries, and over a dozen commercials.
• Claudia Herthel: Claudia is a German actress, director, writer, and producer. She has written and directed several short films, and is best known for her directorial debut film Alleinerziehend (Single Parent).
• Philip Herthel: Philip is an American mathematician and professor at the University of Chicago. He specializes in nonlinear partial differential equations, mathematical biology, and applied harmonic analysis.
• Jonathan Herthel: Jonathan is an American Olympian Skeleton racer, achieving a Bronze Medal finish at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
• Hermann Herthel: Hermann is a German sculptor and medal designer. He has received numerous medals for his art, including the Bavarian Medal of Merit.
• Harry Herthel: Harry was a German modernist artist, best known for his paintings, drawings, and prints.
• Sybilla Herthel: Sybilla was an Austrian artist, primarily a sculptor. She is known for her depictions of animals, landscapes, and religious figures.
• Ludwig Herthel: Ludwig was a German writer, primarily of detective novels, and has published more than 50 books in his lifetime.
• Ernst Herthel: Ernst was a Swiss-born German psychiatrist who developed theories related to psychotherapy, sleep, and dreams. He is best known for his book The Nature of Dreams.

Other surnames

Herth