Surname Sprinkel - Meaning and Origin

Sprinkel: What does the surname Sprinkel mean?

The last name Sprinkel is of German origin, although it is not very common. It is derived from the Middle High German word "sprengen", which means "to scatter or to sprinkle". The word was used in the Middle Ages mainly in a figurative sense, such as to spread news or disseminate a message. The surname might have originated as a nickname for a person who had a habit of spreading news or gossip, or who was employed in a job that involved scattering or spreading something, such as a messenger, crier, or a farmer spreading seeds. As with many surnames, over time this nickname would have become a family name passed down through generations. As the name is relatively rare, it increases the probability that those bearing the name are likely related in some way. The different geographical distributions of the name in Germany suggest that there may be several family lines, each originating from a common ancestor described by this term in the Middle Ages. It's important to note that surname meanings can be a source of interesting facts but don't generally provide specific or personal information about an individual's family history or genealogy.

Sprinkel: Where does the name Sprinkel come from?

The last name Sprinkel is a fairly uncommon surname around the world. Presently, it is most common in the United States.

The name Sprinkel first appeared in Pennsylvania sometime in the 1700’s, mostly in the Lancaster and Berks counties. Over the past three centuries, the Sprinkel family has spread throughout the country, although they still remain concentrated in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana.

In Pennsylvania, the highest concentration is in Lancaster County. As of 2020, the six highest populations of Sprinklels living in the United States are located in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Florida, Texas, and, listed in last place, New Jersey.

Outside of the United States, a small percentage of Sprinklels live in Canada and Germany, mostly in Ontario, Alberta, and Bavaria.

Despite its rarity, many famous people can trace their roots back to the Sprinkel family. The most famous one is Charles Sprinkel Jr., who served as Secretary of the Treasury under President Ronald Reagan’s administration. His daughter, Lisa, is a prominent television host. The Sprinklels have also had more than 300 members serve in the United States military.

Although Sprinkel is still a relatively rare last name, many of its descendants continue to spread throughout the world, making this family one of the most diverse and far-reaching in the United States and Canada.

Variations of the surname Sprinkel

The surname Sprinkel is derived from the German and Dutch word "sprinkeln," which means "to sprinkle" or "to sparkle." This surname originated as a reference to the sparkling appearance of water droplets and was originally spelled as "Sprinkle" or "Springle." As the name made its way to other countries, the name took on various other spellings, such as "Sprenkle," "Sprinkle," "Spreenkle," "Sprenkel," and "Sprinkel."

Variations of the Sprinkel surname include spellings such as "Sprinkel," "Sprengel," "Sprengeler," "Sprinkle," "Sprengler," "Spronkel," "Sprenker," and "Sprenkling." In the Netherlands and Germany, the surnames "Sprenger" and "Spreng" are also derived from the same root word and are generally variations of the Sprinkel surname.

In the United States, many variants of the surname have emerged, such as "Sprikle," "Sprakley," "Sprakely," "Spraklin," "Speerinkel," "Springs," "Sprynger," "Spryngel," and "Strynger." In the United Kingdom, the surname has taken the form of "Spryngal" or "Spryngel."

In the Netherlands, the surname has been anglicized to "Sprik," while in France, the same surname is spelled as "Pringel" or "Pringle." Another spelling variant is "Prinkle," which originated in Scotland.

Overall, the surname Sprinkel has numerous variants depending on the countries and regions where it was adopted, from "Spraklin" to "Pringle," and is found in many different forms all over the world.

Famous people with the name Sprinkel

• Paul A. Sprinkel: former President of the Society of Women Engineers, served as a Dean at the Saint Mary’s College of California and New York University.
• Jeffrey Sprinkel: senior director of L.L.Bean and served as a clerk of the United States Supreme Court.
• Brian Sprinkel: CEO of the marketing firm MMI Agency.
• Angelika Sprinkel: co-founder and representative of the Children's Rights group “Schutz-Kinder”.
• Steve Sprinkel: Lay Pastoral Minister at St. Francis de Sales Parish.
• Marko Sprinkel: journalist for the German news channel "Deutsche Welle".
• Michael Sprinkel: retired Army Colonel, served in The White House Military Office and the Undersecretary of Defense of Financial Management.
• Bethany Sprinkel: photographer and founder of the online magazine "Headspace".
• Fabian Sprinkel: lead singer of the German punk rock band "Ausgang" from Cologne.
• Carl Sprinkel: former member of the West German parliament and was a lecturer at the University of Augsburg.

Other surnames

SprinkleSprinkles