Surname Stengele - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Stengele: What does the surname Stengele mean?
The last name Stengele is of German origin and derives from the Middle High German term “stengel” which translates to “stalk” or “spindle”. During the early history of the surname Stengele, it would have been assumed the individual was a spindlemaker or spinner. This would have most likely been the case until around the 18th century when the surname would have been used by members of a few different professions - tradespeople, farmers, and even members of the clergy.
In terms of regional spread in Germany, the Stengele surname appears to have its highest concentration in the region of Bavaria. It is most commonly found in the city of Munich as well as the surrounding towns and villages. It has also been recorded in other notable towns in Bavaria, including Hof and Würzburg.
Outside of Germany, there are a number of Stengele families in the United States, Canada, and Australia. While individual branches of these families have different histories and ancestral origins, it is likely that the vast majority of them can be traced back to ancestors that emigrated from Germany during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Stengele name, therefore, is very likely to be derived from the Middle High German term “stengel” or “spindle”, in reference to the occupation of the individuals in Germany who originally adopted the surname. This same name has since spread with German immigrants to various parts of the world, providing an interesting example of how surnames can travel and evolve over time.
Order DNA origin analysisStengele: Where does the name Stengele come from?
The last name Stengele is most commonly found today in the regions of Germany, such as Bavaria, where it is believed to have originated. This last name is also found in some parts of the United States, primarily concentrated in certain regions such as Montana, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Missouri. The Stengele surname is not a popular last name outside of Germany, as it was most likely brought to the United States by German immigrants during the late 19th century or early 20th century.
In Germany, Stengele is most popular in the states of Bavaria, Thüringen, Baden-Wurttemberg, Rheinland-Pfalz, Berlin and Sachsen. It ranks around 3,935 in terms of popularity among German surnames. As for the United States, the Stengele surname ranks approximately 8,378 in terms of frequency. The Stengele surname is considered somewhat rare in the United States, and there are likely fewer than 12,000 people with this last name living in the country.
The number of Stengele families living in Germany and the United States could be decreasing over time as fewer people choose to utilize their family's traditional last name. This could be due to people wishing to de-emphasize family connections or as a result of marriage. It is also possible that some people with the last name Stengele have changed it to another name.
Variations of the surname Stengele
The surname Stengele is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word 'stangal' meaning a short piece of wood or a stick. Variants, spellings, and alternate surnames derived from the same origin of Stengele include:
Stengell, Stangal, Stangel, Hangel, Stingle, Stengel, Stengle, Stengl, Stengel, Stingle, Stengl, Stenglin, and Stengler.
Variants, spellings, and surnames based on the same roots are also found outside of Germany, including the German-speaking regions of Austria and Switzerland. For example, in Switzerland, one can find the surnames Stängli, Stangle, Stanglei, and Stingeli, while in Austria variants include Stangel, Stangle, and Stangelin.
Most of the surnames derived from the same root as Stengele can be found with a single letter change, either in spelling or the structure of the surname, offering a very convenient way to trace the family line of a person of that particular surname. For instance, Stengel and Stangle are quite similar in that both end with the 'l' sound. Similarly, Stangal and Stengl share similar endings.
The family tree of a person with the surname Stengele can be tracked through variations of their 1948 surname, as well as through alternate surnames derived from the same root. Due to the name's Germanic origin, variations and spellings can be found throughout Germany and the other German-speaking countries of Austria and Switzerland.
Famous people with the name Stengele
- Andrew Stengele: former professional American football player
- Paul Stengele: former professional baseball player
- Richard Stengele, Sr.: former Special Agent with the FBI
- Norbert Stengele: Austrian sports shooter
- Ferdinand Stengele: Austrian philosopher and theologian
- Robert E. Stengele, Jr.: former Dr. Pepper executive
- Jeff Stengele: American golf professional
- Eberhard Stengele: German politician
- Mathias Stengele: German footballer
- Magdalena Stengele: German voice actress, narrator, and radio presenter