Surname Pummel - Meaning and Origin

Pummel: What does the surname Pummel mean?

The surname "Pummel" carries Germanic origins, stemming from the Middle Low German word "pumel", which translates to "fist". In the 13th and 14th centuries, nicknames often evolved into last names, so it is likely that someone was dubbed "Pummel" due to their strength or their proficiency in combat or wrestling. It could also perhaps refer to a person with a robust, stocky build. Surname meanings though, can be uncertain due to the passage of time and language evolution. Today, the word "pummel" is commonly used as an English verb meaning to beat or strike someone repeatedly, however, it is unlikely that this is directly related to the origins of the surname, reflecting more of the Middle Low German word’s meaning. Remember that understanding the meaning behind a surname can provide insightful information about ancestral lives, but it doesn't define or predict individual character traits.

Pummel: Where does the name Pummel come from?

The last name Pummel is most commonly found today in northern and central Europe, particularly in Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark. It has also been found in the United States, but it is much less common.

The last name Pummel is derived from the German word “pummel” which means to thump or pound. This name was originally most likely given to someone who worked with a hammer or other similar tool. It could also have been used as a nickname for someone who was especially strong.

The earliest recorded use of the name Pummel was in 1745 in the small village of Oberwil in Switzerland. This record exists in the Oberwil parish records.

In the United States, the name Pummel was found starting in the late 19th century in North Dakota. One of the earliest recorded uses of the name in the United States was in 1883 when a Jacob S. Pummel received a land grant in North Dakota.

Today, the last name Pummel is most common in northern and central Europe with fewer occurrences in the United States, particularly in the midwest and mid-atlantic regions.

Variations of the surname Pummel

The surname Pummel is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word “pumel” which means “to swell” or “to grow”. In German Pummel is also a slang term for a plump person.

Variants of the surname include Pomel, Pummill, Pummill, Pumill, Pummelenburg, and Pumelburg. It can also be spelled as Pummell, Pummayel, Pummele, Pommel, and Pommele. There are other variants of the name, such as Pallle, Pummler, Pammel, and Pummellinger.

Surnames of the same origin include Pümmer, Poemel, Poemmer, Pümmerle, Pomeler, Pümmerner, Pompel, Pumeler, Pummerel, Pummerling, Pummerl, Pummerling, Pomerl, Puemel, Puemmer, Puemmler, Puemmling, and Puempel.

The surname Pummel can also be spelled as Pumbel, Pummler, Pümpl, Pömperl, Poomerl, and Poomerling.

In the United States the surname is most common in Pennsylvania, while in Germany it is most commonly found in the Rhineland area. In Canada there are more people with the surname in British Columbia.

Famous people with the name Pummel

• Felix Pummel: the German professional swimmer who specializes in freestyle and butterfly and also competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics
• Paul Pummel: an Austrian competitive ski jumper who competed in the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics
• Kathryn Pummel: an American lawyer and former Special Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice
• Johann Pummel: a German composer who wrote for operas and film soundtracks, notably for “The Mummy”
• Louisa Pummel: a 19th century German historian and author of several well-known books on the history of Bavaria
• Brigitte Pummel: a German philatelist and stamp collector who was behind the popularization of German stamps in the early 20th century
• William Pummel: an American scholar and historian, specializing in military history and the history of American art
• Danielle Pummel: a German fashion designer who gained fame for her use of bright colors, patterns and bold shapes in her fashion lines
• Yvonne Pummel: a German artist known for her mixed media and abstract painting that combine elements of landscape and figurative art
• Julian Pummel: a German soccer player who played for several Bundesliga teams and was also a part of the German national squad

Other surnames

PummeroyPummery