Surname Krabel - Meaning and Origin
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Krabel: What does the surname Krabel mean?
The last name Krabel is of German origin and is an occupational name meaning “miner”. In the Middle Ages, Cologne was one of the cities where the family name Krabel originated from. The miner and his sons were the hereditary leaders of the mine, which provided much of the economic support for the area. As time went on, the Krabel surname was adopted in many different languages and cultures across Europe.
It is a popular surname all over Germany and in Central Europe, with large concentrations in Germany, France, the Czech Republic, Poland, and elsewhere in Europe. The surname is very common in its native Germany, ranking 329th among the country's most popular surnames.
In the United States, the surname Krabel is of German American origin and is most often seen in areas where many of the original German settlers were concentrated. The first recorded instance of the surname Krabel in the United States was that of Johannes Krabel, who settled in Philadelphia in 1738. Since then, many generations of Krabels have been found in the United States and elsewhere in the world. The Krabel surname is still relatively common today, and is an important reminder of German heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisKrabel: Where does the name Krabel come from?
The last name Krabel is a Germanic surname derived from the Old Germanic word ‘Krabes’ or ‘krabbels’, meaning ‘crawlers’, likely a reference to either a crab fisherman, or a mercenary soldier. Today, the name Krabel is relatively uncommon, however it is most strongly associated with Germany, where it has origins.
In Germany, Krabel is estimated to be held by around 5,400 people as of 2019. The largest concentrations of Krabel can be found in the states of Hesse, Saxony, Berlin, Bavaria, and Baden-Württemberg, with the highest concentration quite close to Germany’s border with Denmark.
The last name Krabel can be found in other European countries as well, though generally to a much lower degree. Records show that Krabel is the 987th most common surname in Switzerland, and the 5,261st most common surname in Austria. Further afield, the name can be found to much lesser extents in the United States, Iceland, Canada, and Liechtenstein.
In general, the last name Krabel remains relatively uncommon outside of Germany, though with consistent efforts to protect traditional family names and family histories, it is possible to maintain a connection to the ancient history of the Krabel surname and the people who have carried it over the centuries.
Variations of the surname Krabel
The surname Krabel is of Germanic origin. It is usually spelled as KRABEL or CRABEL and its variants include KRABBEL, KRABILL, CREBELL, CRABILL, CRABELLE, KRABLE, and KRUBEL. The variants of this surname can be found all throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.
The first records of this surname date back to 1434 in Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany, where a Bartholomaeus Crabel was mentioned. In 1456, another record of a Michael Crabill was found in Niederlausitz, Germany. By 1513, a Herula Crabell was mentioned in Wuerzburg, Bavaria.
Krabel is also a variation of the very well-known German surname Krabbe and even the English surname Crabbe. Krabbe also has its fair share of variations in different parts of Germany, including Krabener, Krabner, Krabme, and Krebener.
Krabel is not as common as Crabbe, but it is still well-known in the areas of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic where this family name saw its earliest beginnings. Spelling variations are typical of surnames and the development of Krabel and its variants was likely driven by regional variations in the German language spoken throughout the country.
Famous people with the name Krabel
- John Krabel: Former member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band from 1982: 1988.
- Aaron Krabel: Professional cyclist and member of the Flatland BMX community.
- Jenna Krabel: Professional swimmer who has competed at the national level in the USA.
- Tiera Krabel: Professional ice dancer and member of the US National Figure Skating team.
- Dave Krabel: Professional golfer and member of the PGA tour since 2007.
- Rachel Krabel: Professional ballerina and principal dancer at the San Francisco Ballet.
- Sam Krabel: Professional musician and songwriter who has worked with musicians such as Mariah Carey and Kanye West.
- Rebecca Krabel: Professional photographer and an advocate for the arts.
- Kerri Krabel: Professional basketball player and former WNBA star.
- Alexandra Krabel: Professional chef and restaurateur who owns a number of acclaimed restaurants in London.