Surname Krengel - Meaning and Origin
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Krengel: What does the surname Krengel mean?
The last name Krengel is believed to be of German origin. It is thought to be derived from the Middle High German word “krenc” which literally means “curl” or “spiral”. It is believed to have been used in reference to a person who had a distinctive feature such as a curled lock of hair or an unusual hairstyle. It could also be a nickname for a wriggler or wrangler, one who taught blustering, wild children or animals to become more controllable and submissive.
The surname Krengel is thought to have first appeared in Germany in the late medieval period, probably in the 15th century. The earliest records of the name are found in cities in eastern Germany such as Berlin, Hessen and Bensheim. During the 19th and 20th centuries, people with the Krengel surname spread throughout Western and Central Europe. In more recent decades, the name has also been discovered in North America as well as in other parts of the world.
Today, the last name Krengel is a fairly common one in Germany and the rest of Europe, and quite rare in North America. It is often seen as a mark of distinction, as those who carry the name can trace their heritage back to a special and unusual feature of their ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisKrengel: Where does the name Krengel come from?
The surname Krengel is most common today in Germany,
where it ranks as the 1,783rd most common last name.
The name is also present in parts of both Austria and Switzerland,
though these regions do not appear on any major list of
Krengel frequency.
Throughout history, Krengel has been most commonly found in
the German-speaking regions of Europe. Specifically, records
show that Krengel was used most often in the Rhineland and
Westphalia regions of Germany. Records suggest, however,
that the name has also been used in areas of Poland as well.
It is likely that the meaning of the name refers to
the city of Kranenburg in North Rhine-Westphalia. Kranenburg
is originally derived from the German word ‘Kran’, which
means ‘crane’. This would suggest that some of the early
Krengels may have come from this area.
Despite having originally come from Germany, there are many
Krengels living in the United States today as well. In 2020,
there were around 900 people with the Krengel surname in the
country, with most Krengels living in the states of
Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Variations of the surname Krengel
The surname Krengel is an occupational surname derived from the occupation of the family name bearer or perhaps derived from the place of origin. It is variously spelled as Kringel, Krengel, Krengle, Kringe and Kringle. It is also known as Krenger, Kringer and Kringner in some countries.
The name Krengel is mostly used in Germany, Netherlands and Czech Republic. It is also seen in other countries like the United States, Canada, South Africa and Australia.
The Krengel surname is believed to have originated from Middle High German word ‘krongo’ which means wreath or circlet. It also originated as a habitational name from places called Krengel or Krengle in Prussia.
The variants of Krengel surname usually originate from a confusion of multiple spellings, miswritten or mispronounced surnames. In addition, many variations have arisen due to family migration through the centuries from the country of origin.
In Germany, it was derived from Old German roots where it was used to describe persons that sold wreaths or garlands. In some parts of Europe, the name has also been used to describe a person who was known for their fine range of weaving skills.
In the United States, Canada, South Africa the name is more commonly spelled as Kringel, while in other countries like Australia it is spelled Krengel.
The Krengel surname is quite common among Germanic people, but can also be found in other European countries as well as North and South America. Its variants and the spellings can change from place to place, but the meaning behind this surname is the same in all countries: a person who crafts or deals in wreaths or other decorative weaves.
Famous people with the name Krengel
- Richard Krengel: known for competing in the Winter Olympics for Germany in the 1970s, and in the Summer Olympics for West Germany in the 1980s
- Kristin Krengel: singer/songwriter and guitarist from Minneapolis
- Peter Krengel: co-founder of the bus company Flixbus
- Chris Krengel: American lawyer and former assistant US attorney
- Maxim Krengel: German political journalist, editor of the conservative Prospect magazine
- Evangeline Krengel: Dutch-born American fine artist
- Karl Krengel: German WW2 soldier and recipient of the Iron Cross
- Gary Krengel: American actor and martial artist
- Dr. Jutta Krengel: German professor in the field of communication and media studies
- Stephanie Krengel: former U.S. Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates