Surname Hinckel - Meaning and Origin
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Hinckel: What does the surname Hinckel mean?
The German surname Hinckel is derived from the given name Hinck or Hinke, both of which are derived from the name Heinrich (which means home ruler). Variants of Hinckel include Hinke, Hinxel, Hinckley, Hinkele, Hinckelmann, and Hinksle.
Hinckel is thought to have originated from parts of Germany such as Hanover and Westphalia. After the 18th century, immigrants bearing this surname settled in other parts of Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
The name Hinckel is a patronymic surname, meaning that it is derived from the given name of the original bearer's father, with the term "Hinke," or "son of Hinke." Over the centuries, the spelling of the surname has changed.
The most common occupations of people with the Hinckel surname include farmers, carpenters, bakers, and merchants. It is believed that the Hinckel family may have been Henckels (resentment of Jewish families) at one point in history, and that they have since adopted the naming tradition of the Christian families with whom they merged.
Members of the Hinckel family may be found in Germany, France, England, the United States of America, and Canada. There is also a town in Germany called Hinckel, named after them. The locals there consider the Hinckel surname to be quite prestigious.
Order DNA origin analysisHinckel: Where does the name Hinckel come from?
The last name Hinckel is most common in Germany today. In the 2013 German census, almost 30,000 people with the name Hinckel were found. This surname is also common in Austria and Switzerland, with slightly fewer people bearing the name in these countries compared to Germany.
The origin of the Hinckel surname is German. The German word "Hinkel" was used to refer to someone who was a member of a small, humble family or of low social standing. It could also mean “hare” or “robin,” suggesting that someone who bore the name had characteristics similar to these animals.
In the U.S., the surname Hinckel is not as common. In 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that there were only about 863 people with the name in the country. Most of the people bearing the surname live in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Michigan and New Jersey.
The Hinckel surname is believed to have been in existence since the Middle Ages and has persisted to this day. The name has also been associated with notable people throughout history, including inventor and philosopher Rudolf Hinckel, Swedish physician Johannes Hinckel, and German opera singer Bernhard Hinckel. Despite its relatively low presence in the U.S., the name continues to be a distinctive and notable part of Germany’s national identity.
Variations of the surname Hinckel
The surname Hinckel has a few variant spellings and other similar surnames of the same origin. The most common variant spellings include Hinkel, Hinckle, Henkel, and Hinkle. It is a German surname which gained prominence in the countries of Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, and elsewhere in Europe.
In Germany, the surname is predominantly spelled as Hinckel or Hinkel. In the Netherlands, it is most commonly spelled as Hinckel or Henkel. Additionally, Hinklemans and Hinkelmans are both quite popularly used in the country.
The surname is also quite popular in Switzerland, where it is usually spelled as Hinckel, Hinkel, or Hinkle. Hinckelmann, Hinkelmann, Hinman, Henkelmann, and Heinkelmann are all commonly used as variants in this region.
It is also found in Austria, where it is typically spelled as Hinkl, Hinkle, Hinckel, or Henkel. Hinklemans, Henkeman, and Hinkenman are additional variants which are used in Austria.
In addition, the surname can also be found in other countries, such as Canada, the United States, England, and Scotland, where different, yet similar, spellings and variations have been observed. Variants such as Henkel, Hankel, Hanickel, and Hanckl, to name a few, are all variations which can be found.
No matter the spelling, all of these surnames can be traced back to the same origin taking from Hinckel or Hinkel in Germany.
Famous people with the name Hinckel
- Peter Hinckel: A German actor and former bodyguard who is most famous for having featured in German soap operas and several other independent films.
- Lothar Hinckel: An Austrian economist and politician who achieved great success during the interwar period.
- Stephen Hinckel: An American jazz musician, known for being a part of the traditional jazz revival in 1960s.
- Hans Hinckel: A German physicist and mathematician from the 19th century, known for formulating several terms in physics.
- Heinrich Hinckel: An Austrian composer and founder of the Vienna Conservatory in 1817. He was one of the leading figures of the German Classical period.
- Werner Hinckel: An Austrian-born journalist, author and activist who is best known for his role in bringing the issue of Jewish persecution during the Nazi regime to the attention of the world.
- Josef Hinckel: An Austrian footballer who played for the Austrian national team from 1926-1937.
- Johann Hinckel: A German pastor and theologian from the 15th century.
- Lieven Hinckel: An Belgian politician, lawyer and judge during the 19th century.
- Harold Hinckel: A Dutch judge at the international criminal court in The Hague in the late 20th century.