Surname Sockel - Meaning and Origin
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Sockel: What does the surname Sockel mean?
The surname Sockel is a German surname derived from the Medieval German word "sockel" meaning "young one," "junior," or "heir."
This surname is often associated with prestigious families, as it was common for affluent families to have several generations with the same surname. This was done to protect property and inheritance rights from elder male heirs to the younger male heirs.
Traditional German naming practices indicate that Sockel is a style of patronymic surname, meaning it was derived from the given name of the original bearer's father or ancestor. In this case, the original bearer likely had a father or ancestor with the given name "Sockel." The name could have been a short form of any of the Germanic names beginning with "soc-" such as "Socrates," "Sochomarus," or "Soces."
Today, the surname Sockel is largely concentrated in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is an uncommon surname, but can be found in various records across Europe and the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisSockel: Where does the name Sockel come from?
The last name Sockel is most commonly found today in Germany. According to data from the 2018 German Federal Census, Sockel was the 8,450th most common surname in the country, with 2,325 people bearing the name. It is popular in the southern state of Bavaria, with 845 individuals registered there. Additionally, it is found in the adjacent states of Baden-Württemberg (546 people) and North Rhine-Westphalia (205 people).
The last name Sockel is likely derived from the Old High German word souh, meaning "south". It could also be a habitational name, based on someone living in an area with a south-facing incline or slope. Variations of the name have also appeared in various European countries, including the Netherlands and Belgium.
Sockel is a relatively common name in Germany and is found in various centers around the country, including Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt. It is especially prevalent in the capital city of Berlin, where 745 people registered the name in the census.
In modern times, Sockel has largely been used as a surname, but it isn't unheard of for it to be used as a given name as well.
Variations of the surname Sockel
The surname Sockel is of German origin and is found in records from as far back as the 13th century. It has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, as well as international variations that are based on the original German spelling.
In Germany, the primary versions are Sokel and Soeckel. Alternate spellings include Sockelle, Sockell, Sochel, Sockle, and Soeckelle. Surnames with similar spellings in the United States include Sockel, Sockl, Soccio, and Saki.
In other parts of the world, the surname has become anglicized to Coconut, Soche, Ceackel, and Souch.
Variations on the name seen in records include Souchel, Soeckel, Suck, Sogel, Socklio, and Succo.
In France, the same name is spelled as Sickele, while in Hungary the spelling is Szögele, and in Italy it is Sugel and Sugelle.
The surname can also be seen in records from Scotland, as well as other countries around the world, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Another variation of the name is Soeckel, which is primarily found in Switzerland.
No matter where in the world the name originates, Sockel remains a long standing and very common surname. It is a testament to the family's rich heritage and long lasting legacy.
Famous people with the name Sockel
- Jessica Sockel, professional figure skater
- Sander Sockel, an American actor
- Terry Sockel, drummer in the alternative rock band Dig
- Edward Sockel, an American actor
- Joseph Sockel, a biologist at the University of Pennsylvania
- Henry Sockel, an American entrepreneur and linguist
- Brian Sockel, actor and comedian
- Lisa Sockel, an American born film producer
- Lothar Sockel, German author
- Trevor Sockel, American soccer player
- Keith Sockel, MLB pitcher
- Fred Sockel, an American illustrator and cartoonist
- Adolf Sockel, a German journalist and writer
- John Sockel, a New York City employee and former executive at the Associated Press
- Robert Sockel, a retired electrical engineer