Surname Schnäkel - Meaning and Origin
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Schnäkel: What does the surname Schnäkel mean?
The last name Schnäkel is a German name derived from the German word Schnake, meaning "dragonfly". It likely originated as a habitational surname, indicating that a family by this name were from a village associated with the dragonfly.
The surname Schnäkel is likely to have started around the 1500s when ordering surnames was becoming more commonplace in Germany. It likely was initially used to identify a person’s familial background and where they were from. Because the dragonfly was a widely recognizable symbol, it was adopted for use in last names.
The surname Schnäkel can be found among those people living in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States. It’s also a popular variation of the surname Schnake, which is a more common spelling.
Overall, the surname Schnäkel is a unique name that results from a long a proud family lineage, likely tracing back to the 1500s. The dragonfly symbol suggests strength, intelligence, and the ability to adapt, all traits that can be seen in those persons with the surname Schnäkel.
Order DNA origin analysisSchnäkel: Where does the name Schnäkel come from?
The last name Schnäkel is most common today in Germany and Austria and has yet to spread to other parts of the world. This is partly due to the fact that German and Austrian naming systems do not typically contain surnames, but rather, the patronymic element '-schnäkel', which is a combination of the person's father's name and '-schnäkel' (meaning small or little). For example, if the father's name was Hermann, then the child's surname would be 'Hermannschnäkel', and the child's children would carry a variation of that name.
The last name Schnäkel can also be found in the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania, due to the large number of German and Swiss immigrants who settled in the region in the 18th and 19th centuries. Additionally, records of the surname Schnäkel can be found in Australia and Canada, although the frequency is much lower than in Germany and Austria.
Surnames like Schnäkel are an important part of genealogy and family tree research, as they provide clues about a particular family's origins and history. As such, many of today's Schnäkels can trace their ancestry back to a specific region of Germany or Austria. It is estimated that there are over 60,000 members of the Schnäkel family worldwide.
Variations of the surname Schnäkel
Schnäkel is a German surname, meaning ‘little comical fellow’ or ‘tiny clown’. It derives from the German word ‘schnäkeln’, which is an old term for “seeing life in funny, comical ways”. The surname is found primarily in Germany, although there are some instances of it in other areas of Europe. In Germany, there are a few variations and spellings of this surname including Schnaekel, Schnackl, Schnakel, Schnekel, Schnökel, Schnükel, and Shnakel.
The surnames Schnaekel, Schnackl, Schnakel and Schnekel all have the same origin. The name Schnökel is a more rare variant of that same origin, with Schnükel and Shnakel being more commonly used and still sharing the same root. Variations of Schnäkel have been found worldwide in various countries including Austria, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and other European countries.
Outside of Germany, the spelling of Schnäkel may slightly vary from country to country. In the United States, Shnakel is the most common variant, while in the United Kingdom, the spelling Schnackl is most common. In Canada, the most commonly-used variant is Schnakel.
Overall, Schnäkel and its variants all share the same origin and meaning. The surname has global appeal, and given its range of spellings, it is easy to find variants worldwide.
Famous people with the name Schnäkel
- Marc Schnäkel: He is a German television personality, presenter, and entrepreneur. He is known for his extensive experience in entertainment, business, and media. He is the former CEO of the German radio station Radio Fritz, he was also a former CEO of the TV station N-TV.
- Leon Schnäkel: He is a German musician and producer. He has released three albums and has made countless appearances on radio and television programs. He is also a songwriter and has contributed songs to several popular films and TV shows.
- Jürgen Schnäkel: He is a German professional football goalkeeper who currently plays for VfB Stuttgart. After beginning his career at the youth academy, he has gone on to make 4 senior appearances in the German Bundesliga.
- Christina Schnäkel: She is a German politician and was the member of a regional assembly in Berlin from 2001 to 2011. She has served as a member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and was president of the SPD’s Berlin chapter from 2011 to 2015.
- Martin Schnäkel: He is a German actor and voice actor who has appeared in numerous television shows and films, as well as providing voices for animated movies and series. He has had some success as a stage actor, appearing on stages around Germany.