Surname Kegl - Meaning and Origin
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Kegl: What does the surname Kegl mean?
The surname Kegl is derived from the Middle High German “kegel” which means “barrel” or “keg”, possibly of Slavic origin. It is also thought to derive from the Hungarian word “kegel”, which means “a kind of cask, made of boards riveted together”.
Kegl is most common in Slovenia, Croatia, and South-Eastern Austria, where it may have been derived from the German or Hungarians. As a surname, it is usually found among other Slavic populations in Central and Eastern Europe. It is also found in Germany and potentially in Austria and Switzerland.
Kegl likely indicated a person who had connections to the trade in barrels, whether it was an occupational name, a nickname, or an indicator of location. It could have even referred to a person’s residence being located close to the barrelworks. Alternatively, the surname may have also been bestowed to denote how a person acted, for example, being very stubborn, which is reflective of the nature of a keg.
It is possible that Kegl may have been a patronymic name as well. Patronymic naming systems were common throughout the Slavic regions and would use suffixes such as “–ovic” or “–ic” in the names. Kegl could, therefore, refer to the son of someone known as Kegel.
Overall, the surname Kegl is thought to have been derived from the Middle High German word “kegel”, meaning barrel or keg, and may have indicated a person associated with the barrel-making trade, a nickname, or a patronymic name. It is most commonly found in Slovenia, Croatia, and South-Eastern Austria.
Order DNA origin analysisKegl: Where does the name Kegl come from?
The last name Kegl is most commonly found in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, and Croatia. It is also found to a lesser extent in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania.
The name is thought to derive from the old Slavic word “kegl” which means “circle” or “wheel”. It is thus likely that people bearing this surname originally lived in an area where wheels were important, such as near wagons and farms. In Slovenia, for example, it is thought that the Kegl family originated from the town of Nesparger, where they were associated with a local craftsman who made wooden wheels.
It is possible that the name Kegl arrived in various countries during the 19th century, as a result of internal migration and peasant revolts when people fled poverty and sought opportunity in different areas. As such, the name is likely to be more concentrated in areas where such migrations and changes occurred, such as the former Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Today, the Kegl surname is by no means rare, and is typically associated with noble and prominent families, especially in Hungary. Records from the area show that the Kegl family has a long and considerable history, having established various lines of masonry, farming, teaching, and craftsmanship. In 1928, for example, the Kegl family of Bohemia was granted a coat of arms consisting of a black, three-pointed wheel, likely a nod to their Slavic roots.
Variations of the surname Kegl
The surname Kegl has a few variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.
The variant spellings of Kegl include Kagle, Kagel, Kalge, Keagle and Kegel. It is thought that the surname originated from a place name, often being derived from a word related to a geographical feature such as a hill or stream.
Kegl is a common German and Jewish surname. Its origin may be originated from the word ’Kegel’, meaning ‘skittle’, or ‘cone’ as well as ‘barrel’. It is possible that the name was originally associated with an early trade such as barrel making or skittle manufacturing.
The surname may be found in some records in other spellings, including Kechel, Kehl, Kehla and Kehle. Many of these names are Trentinian, meaning of the city or origin of Trento, Italy.
Kegl is also a surname found in Croatia, and is sometimes spelled in various ways such as Kegal, Keglich, Kegov, Kefal, Kehegel, Keilo, Keilov and Kehlich. In Serbia, Kegl may be spelled Kegel, Kegelj and Kegalj.
In addition, there are multiple surnames of similar origin to Kegl, such as Cagle, Eagl, Eagles, Egles, Kagle, Khegle, Kegell and Keggel. There may be other surnames of the same origin that have not been mentioned here.
Overall, the surname Kegl has a variety of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Those of Kegl descendancy may be linked to the surnames in various forms across multiple countries.
Famous people with the name Kegl
- Jeffrey Kegl: Jeffrey Kegl is a retired American figure skater and Olympic competitor. He was a part of the 1988 U.S. Men's Team Olympic Bronze Medalists in the team event.
- Brad Kegl: Brad Kegl is an American tennis player who competed in the NCAA Division I Men's Singles Division. He won several National Championships while at the University of Nebraska.
- Michelle Kegl: Michelle Kegl is the founder and Executive Director of the Alive & Running, an organization that works to support and fund organ donations.
- Michael Kegl: Michael Kegl is an American wrestler, most known for his 10 consecutive Ohio high school state championships between 2004 and 2013.
- Alan Kegl: Alan Kegl is a lawyer and entrepreneur from Connecticut. He is the founder of the Kegl Law Firm, LLC.
- Ann Kegl: Ann Kegl is an American interdisciplinary artist who works in a variety of mediums, including photography, digital video, and installations.
- Charles Kegl: Charles Kegl is an American sculptor and ceramist from Maryland. He is known for his earthenware pottery and ceramic sculptures.
- Tom Kegl: Tom Kegl is a sitcom and film actor, having appeared in American Dad!, Friends, and the movie God's Not Dead.
- Graham Kegl: Graham Kegl is a former Australian rules footballer who most notably played for North Melbourne and Western Bulldogs, and is now coaching at Frankston Football Club in Victoria.