Surname Hitzel - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Hitzel: What does the surname Hitzel mean?
Hitzel is an occupational surname derived from the medieval profession of hat making. Hetzler, which is the German version of Hitzel, is derived from the term “hutzel,” which is an old German word for hat maker. The surname is believed to have originated in Southern Germany and Northern Austria.
Throughout the 1800s, members of the Hitzel family lived and worked in those regions. Records show German Hetzlers, or Hitzels, in Bavaria, Alsace, Bohemia, Austria, and in the Palatinate region. Some of the earliest mentions of the name include records of a Hetzel family living in 1274 in Kircheib, Germany idr.
The Hitzel name has spread around the world over the centuries, usually settling in countries with strong German influences, such as the United States. Today, most of the Hitzel people in the world are of German descent.
The name Hitzel is an ancient one, with many different variations. Its roots in the manual hat making profession is evidence that the Hitzel family is proud of its long and varied history. The Hitzel family has remained a tight-knit community of dedicated people who have been successful in the areas of entrepreneurship, commerce, and industry. With a strong sense of community, loyalty, and craftsmanship, the Hitzel name will no doubt remain a source of pride for generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisHitzel: Where does the name Hitzel come from?
The last name Hitzel is not common throughout the world today, however it is quite prominent in certain countries and regions. The last name is most prevalent in Austria, where it ranks as the 1,080th most common last name, with about 4660 people carrying the surname.
The popularity of the surname may be attributed to its regionalism, as it mostly exists in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and surrounding areas in Central Europe. It is also found in several other countries in Central and Eastern Europe, such as Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
Outside of Europe, the surname is quite rare, appearing in only a handful of countries. It can be found in the United States, where it ranks at 7,099th in terms of popularity. A concentration of Hitzels exists in western Pennsylvania, possibly among those who immigrated from Central Europe in the 19th century. In Australia, there are a few Hitzel families, mostly in Adelaide. And in Canada, the few existing clusters of the family name are mostly centered around Ontario.
In general, the last name Hitzel is rather uncommon worldwide, although it is quite prominent in certain Central European countries and parts of North America.
Variations of the surname Hitzel
Hitzel is an old German name, derived from the given name "Hitzo" which was popular in the early Middle Ages. Hitzel is an uncommon but widespread surname in many parts of the world.
The various variants of the Hitzel surname include Hizel, Hetzel, Hitsal, Hetsel, He-sel, Hefil, Heisel, Heasia, Hizal, Hixel, Hitzler, Hitzes and Hitzl.
The variants of Hitzel are particularly common among Jewish people, who often use the name in place of their own traditional Jewish surnames.
Spellings of the Hitzel surname include: Hitzel, Hizel, Hitzl, Hetzel, Hitsal, Hetsel, He-sel, Hefil, Heisel, Heasia, Helsel, Hizal and Hixel.
The many surnames derived from the Hitzel surname include Hitschler, Heßler, Hitzinger, Heiseler, Hegeter, Hetseler, Heffeler, Heiselmann, Hetzler and Hetzinger.
All these surnames are believed to be of German origin and are likely derived from the Germanic personal name of "Hitzo". This name gradually evolved into the surname Hitzel over many centuries.
Famous people with the name Hitzel
- William "B.J." Hitzel: Former National Football League (NFL) player who played offensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles from 1983-1989.
- Suzanne Hitzel: American theatre director and costume designer.
- Dick Hitzel: Retired Kling Brothers Builders, Inc. President and former Philadelphia-area contractor.
- Jill Hitzel: Professional equestrian who competed in dressage at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea
- Rev. Daniel Hitzel: Pastor and Founder of Berean Bible Church in Voorhees, New Jersey.
- Tim Hitzel: Former professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the then-IHL (International Hockey League).
- Jerry Hitzel: Retired VP/GM, GMR Marketing who is currently an independent philanthropic and marketing consultant.
- Michael Hitzel: Composer and lyricist for stage, TV, and interactive media.
- Jack Hitzel: American blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist.
- Troy Hitzel: Professional wrestler who competed in the independent wrestling promotions on the East Coast.