Surname Semmel - Meaning and Origin

Semmel: What does the surname Semmel mean?

The last name Semmel is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word 'Semel' meaning 'seed'. This suggests that the name likely originated as an occupational surname referring to someone who was a farmer, seed seller, or perhaps even a botanist.

As a Jewish surname, Semmel is believed to be a variant of the more common name Semmelmann, which is derived from the Hebrew name Simmel and used as an identifying factor by descendants of German Ashkenazi Jews who lived in the region of France and Germany during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Semmel name is relatively uncommon in the United States, where people with the last name first began to appear in the early 1900s, likely having emigrated from Germany. In the United States, the most concentrated population of Semmels can be found in California, where 34 people are estimated to have the last name as of 2019.

Semmel is also present in other parts of the world, particularly Europe, where it is much more common than in North America. Additionally, as the surname is of German origin, it is likely to be found among descendants of German immigrants who have settled in other parts of the world, such as Argentina or South Africa.

Semmel: Where does the name Semmel come from?

The last name Semmel is primarily found in Germany today. It is a German surname that appears most commonly in the southern German state of Baden-Württemberg. The name may be derived from the German word “semmel,” meaning a type of small roll or bun, or from the German word “semoline,” meaning coarse-ground wheat. In some cases, it may also be derived from the German word “seminal,” meaning seed.

There is also a variant form of the surname (“Semmler”) which is found in German-speaking countries and in regions that had German-speaking populations in the past, such as countries in Central and Eastern Europe or former Soviet republics.

In terms of numbers, there are roughly 8,500 people with the surname “Semmel” in Germany today. The vast majority of those people (about 7,200) are found in the state of Baden-Württemberg, with an additional 500 in the German states of Bavaria, Hesse, Saxony-Anhalt, and Berlin.

In the U.S., the last name is much less common. While a few hundred people with the last name are located in various parts of the country, most of them seem to be descended from German immigrants.

Variations of the surname Semmel

The surname Semmel is an occupational name that has its origin in Germany and refers to a baker or miller. The surname is originated from the Middle High German word "Semel" which translates to "small loaf of bread". Variants of the surname Semmel include Simel, Semela, Simmel, Simala, Simmal, and Simela. In some areas, the spelling of the surname can be changed to Semmell, Semmelle, and Semmelles.

Surnames of the same origin to Semmel include Samm, Samma, Sammler, Semma, Simmler, and Zemmler. It is also not unheard of to find the spelling irregularities such as Simon, Symmel, and Simmal. Additionally, other less common spellings include Simmaler, Semmell, Sammul, Samule, and Semul.

Though the Semmel surname is believed to be mainly of German origin, it has made its way to other countries such as the United States and Canada through immigrants. In fact, in the United States, the most common variation of the surname is Simmel. On a whole, the surname can be found all around the world, though the spelling and variants may differ.

Famous people with the name Semmel

• Hermann Semmel: Often considered to be the father of German regional literature, Hermann Semmel was one of the first writers of the Swabian dialect in the late 19th century.
• Christiane Muth: Christiane Muth is the great-granddaughter of Hermann Semmel. She is best known for her fashion designs, but has ventured into magazine publishing and writing as well.
• Bennett Semmel: The great-grandson of Hermann Semmel, Bennett Semmel is an American entrepreneur and art collector.
• Thomas Semmel: Thomas Semmel is a professional musician based in Berlin. He is best known for his work in the bands Sun Glitters and Choral.
• Erich Semmel: The son of Austrian-born Hermann and Frieda Semmel, Erich Semmel is an avid collector of unique historical artifacts.
• Heinz Semmel: Heinz Semmel was a German Nazi and Hitler Youth leader in World War II. He was sentenced to death for his crimes but he escaped and eventually died in Mexico in 2002.
• Rico Semmel: Rico Semmel is a German actor, director and producer.
• Martin Semmel: Martin Semmel is an artist and sculptor based in Berlin.
• Michael Semmel: Michael Semmel is a German author and poet who has written several works in German and English.
• Josef Semmel: Josef Semmel was a German actor who is best known for his work in the 1950s and 1960s.

Other surnames

SemmelbeckSemmeler