Surname Loeckel - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'L'
Loeckel: What does the surname Loeckel mean?
Loeckel is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word “löckel,” meaning “keyless lock.” This name was likely adopted by someone who specialized in metal lock manufacturing or developed locking devices. In the 1500s, the name became popular in the Lower Rhine region of Germany, mainly in the cities of Oberhausen and Duisburg, as well as the nearby areas of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
The Loeckels of Germany were known for their craftsmanship and skill in the production of metal locks, keys, and tools. In the age of sailing ships and fortified churches, the Loeckels developed specialized locking mechanisms to protect churches, homes, and ships. As a result of their expertise, the Loeckels often enjoyed honor and prestige within their communities.
Today, those carrying the Loeckel surname can trace their roots back to the Rhineland region of Germany. Individuals with this surname are likely to have relatives in the United States, as many Loeckels immigrated to America at the beginning of the 20th century. Names related to Loeckel include Loweckel, Lockle, and Lückel.
The Loeckel family name is a symbol of strength and innovation, reminding us of the people who dedicated their lives to honing their craft. Over the years, they have contributed to the knowledge and tools necessary to secure our homes and property.
Order DNA origin analysisLoeckel: Where does the name Loeckel come from?
The last name Loeckel is most frequently found in Germany, where it is the 355th most common surname. It is the second only to Mueller (the most common surname in Germany) in terms of frequency. In the United States, the surname Loeckel is not as common. The last name is most popular in California, where it is the 9,837th most common last name, with approximately 635 individuals bearing the name.
The surname Loeckel is derived from the Old German word "lochel," which means "little," or "small." Thus, in its origin, the surname Loeckel reflected a diminutive characteristic given to a particular person. Although the origin of the Loeckel surname is known, the current distribution of individuals in northern Europe bearing the name is uncertain. It is possible to speculate, however, that the surname has spread from Germany to other northern European countries, such as Denmark and Sweden.
A less common variation of the surname is Loeckl, which is also found in Germany and Austria. It is unknown whether the two surnames are connected in any way. There is also a Scottish variant - Lochyl - which has the same meaning and origin as the Germanic Loeckel.
Most individuals named Loeckel in the US are likely of German descent, but other nationalities that may have adopted the name include Austrian, Danish, and Scottish. The Loeckel surname continues today in Germany, Austria, Scotland, and the US, and it is likely to remain a common surname in northern Europe for some time to come.
Variations of the surname Loeckel
The surname Loeckel is an uncommon Germanic name, derived from the Middle High German name Löckel. It is also known to be spelled as Loechel, Loeckelmann, Löckel, and Löckelmann.
Lockele, or Lockle, is another variant of the same origin usually found in Germany, Croatia, and Slovenian regions. It was also occasionally used in Czech speaking regions. The fairly modern spelling of the surname, Löckele, is also observed in Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland.
The more common spellings can be found as Lockel, and Löckel, where it is commonly known to be used as a male given name for Jewish families living in Eastern Europe.
In the United States, the variant Lockelam is most commonly seen, especially in those who are of German and Swiss ancestry. It is also seen in some English-speaking countries in the form Lockelam.
Loeckelmann is another variant that is used. It is common in the region instead of the full form Löckelmann, likely because of the large number of people who changed their names to fit into the local culture.
The alternate spelling of the surname is Loechel, seen in German-speaking areas in Europe, mainly Germany and its neighbouring countries. It is also seen in some British records, though this could be more due to the fact that some of the family members must have emigrated to Britain during the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Dutch variant of Loekelaar and Lookelaar also exist. In the United States, the spelling has been modified to Loocklaer, most likely when the family members immigrated to the United States. The different spellings are likely to have arisen because of spelling errors in official documents, however, they are still valid spellings of the surname.
Famous people with the name Loeckel
- Joe Loeckel: an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher
- Terry Loeckel: a former professional American football player
- Jeff Loeckel: an American musician and former member of the band All-Time Low
- Jason Loeckel: an American actor
- Paige Loeckel: an American entrepreneur, investor and television producer
- Gary Loeckel: an American businessman and founder of an international freight transport company
- Richard Loeckel: a German scientist known for his research into vaccines
- Joseph Loeckel: an American film director and producer
- Thomas Loeckel: a German economist and former professor at the University of Cologne
- Tom Loeckel: an American professional tennis player
- Anita Loeckel: an American figure skater
- Adeline Loeckel: a German musicologist and music educator
- Anke Loeckel: a German politician and former Member of Parliament
- Kay Loeckel: a German classical philologist
- Dieter Loeckel: a German businessman and former CEO of Deutsche Bahn
- Rolf Loeckel: a German professional football player
- Peter Loeckel: a German mathematician and former professor at the University of Bonn
- Reiner Loeckel: a German football coach and former manager of FC St. Pauli
- Andreas Loeckel: a German artist, sculptor and ceramicist
- Arthur Loeckel: a German sculptor and medal designer