Surname Kärgl - Meaning and Origin

Kärgl: What does the surname Kärgl mean?

The last name Kärgl is a German-language surname that is derived from the Middle High German word kargell. The word kargell is related to the Latin word carcer meaning a prison. The surname Kärgl thus translates to a person who lived near a prison or jail.

The surname Kärgl is particularly common in the German-speaking countries of Switzerland, Austria and Germany although it is found in other countries as well. The variant spelling is also seen as Kargl and Karzl. It can be seen in several spellings due to the fact that German was not standardized until the 19th century.

The surname Kärgl is often associated with nobility in German-speaking regions. In the 1400s, there was an influential family of the same surname from the city of Lindau in Bavaria, Germany, which were imperial counts and marshals of the Emperor Maximilian I. Additionally, Franz Kärgl, a Baron, and his son Franz, held a significant post as court treasury officials during the height of the Holy Roman Empire.

The Kärgl family has also had a lasting impact in Austria and Slovenia; there are several notable members from both countries including three mayors, three vice-presidents, and a well-known sculptor.

The heritage and influence of the Kärgl family is both lasting and far-reaching. Although the origins of the name are rooted in a prison, the family has made significant contributions to history, politics, and art.

Kärgl: Where does the name Kärgl come from?

The last name Kärgl is a surname of German or Estonian origin, and is most commonly encountered in Germany today. According to statistics compiled by the genealogical research company MyHeritage, there are over 1,000 individuals with the surname Kärgl living in Germany.

The longest established regions of Germany where Kärgl is found are Bavaria in the south and North Rhine–Westphalia in the west. It is also reported in smaller yet still significant numbers in some of the other German States including Baden-Württemberg, Lower Saxony, and Rhineland-Palatinate.

In terms of the USA, the last name Kärgl has been traced back to the late 19th century. There were about 3,000 Kärgls living in the United States, as reported by the 1990 U.S. Census. Most of those individuals were found in New York and California.

Kärgl is also fairly common in Estonia, where it was first recorded in the fifteenth century. According to the Estonian population database, there are over 5,000 people with the surname Kärgl living in Estonia today.

Overall, Kärgl is a surname encountered mostly in Germany and Estonia, but there are small communities found in the United States as well. It is a traditional name that is still used by hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals to this day.

Variations of the surname Kärgl

Kärgl is a surname of Germanic origin usually found in Germany and Austria. The spelling of this surname varies slightly with its dialect and region. It can also be spelled as Kaergl, Kaerlgl. Karqle and Kaercle.

In German-speaking countries, this name is pronounced as kah-aertz-gah. It is a variation of the German names Karig, Karg, Karge, Kargel, Körgel and Kargl.

Name variants corresponding to Kärgl can be found in other non-Germanic locales such as the Czech Republic and the Low Countries. In the Czech-speaking world, Kärgl is known as Korbel. In Flanders, it is known as Körbel or Kargel.

Kärgl also has various associated nicknames such as “Karge”, “Gle”, and “Kari”. In some instances, the name might be modified to Karz or Karts depending on its usage context.

In Sweden and Finland, the name Körbli is derived from the old German Kargeli. Alternate surnames corresponding to Kärgl include Kargle, Kaerlgl, and Karg after partial anglicization.

In the United States, the anglicized form of Kärgl is Karal, Karall or Corsell. It is also sometimes written as Kerrall or Karul.

Kärgl is most often linked to the noun ‘karg’ which means ‘lean’ or ‘stingy’. It comes from the old Germanic root karaz meaning ‘sharp’ or ‘keen’.

All in all, Kärgl is a surname of Germanic origin, Heraldic propulsions, with spellings that vary among regional languages and cultures.

Famous people with the name Kärgl

• Joan Kärgl-Rannane: Joan is a highly respected Estonian film producer and culture critic, best known for her impact on various forms of culture within Estonia.
• Audo Kärgl: Audo is an Estonian Paralympian athlete, most notably known for his success in wheelchair racing in the Paralympic Games.
• Erki Kärgl: Erki is a former Estonian professional basketball player. He played for the Estonia national team and was the winner of the MVP award for the season of 1992–1993.
• Alar Kärgl: Alar is a well-known Estonian journalist and political activist. He is also a freelance writer and artist who has created works for both television and film.
• Niina Kärgl-Rannane: Niina is an Estonian actress who has appeared in several films and television series. She is best known for her roles in the movie August 1991 and Red Bull Air Race.
• Mai Kärgl: Mai is a highly respected Estonian entrepreneur who is the founder and CEO of the Kärgl Group.
• Daniel Kärgl: Daniel is a renowned Estonian basketball coach. He is currently the head coach of the women's basketball team at the University of Tartu.
• Kristo Kärgl: Kristo is an Estonian singer-songwriter who has released several albums and performed at countless music festivals and events throughout Europe.
• Maria Kärgl: Maria is an Estonian illustrator, artist, and designer who has had her artwork featured in publications all around the world.
• Timo Kärgl: Timo is a retired Estonian professional ice hockey player. He played for the Estonia national team and was considered to be one of the most talented players of his generation.

Other surnames

Kärgling