Surname Mergl - Meaning and Origin
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Mergl: What does the surname Mergl mean?
The last name Mergl is of German origin and is derived from either the Germanic personal name Marcell or Mergili, a combination of the personal names Mergi and Illi. The personal name Mergi is composed of the Germanic elements "meri" meaning famous and "g", which can mean either spear or God. The personal name Illi is composed of the Germanic element "il", which translates to the English word "he", and also the element "l", which can mean either "protect" or "people". The root of the name Mergl is related to a Germanic god Marcell, who was an important figure in German mythology.
The Mergl family name is associated with a long and strong history of German ancestry. As was common with many Germanic names, Mergl was used to denote an individual's social status and was often part of a hereditary title. The various forms of the Mergl surname indicate that in different regions the name was connected to nobility and royalty, with those who bore the title being high ranking individuals in their respective societies.
Today, the Mergl name is commonly found in Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland. In the United States and Canada, the Mergl name is a less common, but nonetheless a proud name. Those who have the Mergl last name are generally proud of their German heritage and often venerate their family's connection to the German past.
Order DNA origin analysisMergl: Where does the name Mergl come from?
The last name Mergl is most commonly found today in Germany and Austria. However, it does also appear in other countries, such as Slovenia, and Sweden, as well as in the United States and Canada.
The origin of the last name Mergl is most likely German, and its variants in other languages are Merle, Merkel, Mergel, etc. The Mergl spelling is most common in Middle German dialects, such as Bavarian and Austro-Bavarian. The name means 'merry or cheerful', suggesting that the first Mergl was a happy or cheerful person.
In Germany, records of the last name Mergl can be traced back to as early as the 1600s in Bamberg, Bavaria. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the name appeared mainly in the areas of Schweinfurt, Bamberg, and Aschaffenburg. From there it spread to other areas of Germany and Austria, and even further afield to other countries in Europe and the Americas.
Today, the surname Mergl is most prevalent in Southern Germany and Austria. In Germany, it is still concentrated in the regions of Bavaria, Franconia, Swabia, and Baden-Württemberg.
The name Mergl may also be quite common in Eastern Europe, particularly in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and the Slovak Republic. However, due to political changes, records in these countries may be harder to track down.
In the United States and Canada, Mergl is still quite rare, but there is a notable presence of Mergls in those countries too.
Variations of the surname Mergl
The surname Mergl is believed to be of German origin and is related to the German phrase "Merglen", which translates to "breaking the darkness". While the main spelling of the surname is Mergl, there are several variants and spellings of the same origin. These include:
Merglen, Marchell, Merkel, Mirgler, Mergle, Murgle, Murgele, Murgel, Merghell, Mirgel and Markel.
In some cases, the original spellings may have been softened or modified in different countries, resulting in surnames with slightly different spellings. For example, Mergel may become Markel in English speaking countries, or Mirgler or Merghell with an added 'h'. Additionally, there are fewer variations of the surname in other German-speaking countries such as Austria and Switzerland. Common Austrian variations include Merchen, Murgel, and Murgele.
In some cases, the original spelling of the surname may also have changed due to the adoption of a new nationality. Thus, Mergl may become Murglia if the surname bearer emigrated to Italy. Similarly, Merglen may become Marchell if the initial bearer of the surname had a French influence.
Overall, Mergl is an old German surname with a variety of different spellings, variants, and related surnames, some of which may have come about due to migration or language changes.
Famous people with the name Mergl
- Shawn Mergl: Former American actor, stuntman and acrobat who has appeared in several television series.
- Jan Mergl: Czech film director, screenwriter, and producer.
- Milos Mergl: Czech-Austrian actor and theater director who has appeared in numerous productions on the stage and in television.
- Thorsten Mergl: German cross-country skier who competed for Germany in the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics.
- Dolina Mergl: German alpine skier who has competed in the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup.
- Mathis Mergl: Austrian slalom skier who competed in the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup.
- Leo Mergl: German footballer who played for Bayern Munich during the 1920s.
- Karl Mergl: German chess master and composer.
- Jörn Mergl: German mathematician specializing in probability, random matrices, and related areas.
- Armin Mergl: German Paralympic athlete who competed in judo.