Surname Stenglein - Meaning and Origin

Stenglein: What does the surname Stenglein mean?

The last name Stenglein is of German origin and is thought to derive from the Old High German word 'stangwi', meaning 'sting' or 'sting-like'. This suggests that it was originally an occupational surname for someone who made or sold spears or arrows. It is legitimate to think that people who first bore this name would either have been armorers or huntmen rather than warriors.

The name Stenglein is found mainly in the south and western portions of Germany. It is also common to find emigrants bearing this surname having traveled to the United States, Canada and Australia to start a new life.

In the United States, the Stenglein surname is mostly found in the midwestern states. The earliest settlers of the Stenglein name in the United States can be traced to the state of Missouri, where the first known Stenglein family was recorded in 1866.

In general, Stenglein is an uncommon name, but with its German origin, it connotes strength, stability and bravery; three key values associated with German culture. As its literal translation denotes, Stenglein signifies someone who is 'sting-like' and ready to protect and defend what they believe in.

Stenglein: Where does the name Stenglein come from?

The last name Stenglein is most commonly found in Germany, where it is estimated that one in every 11,000 people carry the name. It is also prevalent in Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

In the United States, the surname Stenglein is relatively common in the midwest and western regions. There are clusters of the name in Nebraska, Minnesota, Kansas, Oregon, Missouri, Arkansas, and New Mexico. Of these states, Nebraska has the highest population distribution of people holding Stenglein as a surname, with 377 registered.

Stenglein origins are believed to derive from the medieval word ‘Stengelein’ which translates to Stange, meaning ‘stick’. Stenglein was originally a nickname given to a thin or small man. During the Middle Ages, surnames were borne from major events and milestones in the form of nicknames.

The modern Stenglein is found in a variety of occupations, including legal services, management, and finance. Stengleins are also commonly found in academic settings like teaching, engineering, and healthcare.

Overall, the last name Stenglein is most common in Germany and other Central European countries. In the United States, Stenglein is most prominent in the midwest and western regions. Surnames like Stenglein originate from Middle Age nicknames, and today, the Stenglein is found in a wide variety of occupations.

Variations of the surname Stenglein

The surname Stenglein has several, common variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Stengele, Stengell, Stengel, Stengle, and Stengl.

The variant spellings in German including "Stengel," "Stengele," and "Stengell" come from the German root word "Stengel," which is derived from the Middle High German "stengel" and Old High German "stangal" and means "rod," "spear," or "stalk." Thus, Stenglein historically was a topographic name for someone who lived near a highly visible rod, stake, or a symbolic definition for a boundary marker.

The other variants, "Stengle" and "Stengl," come from the German root word "Stengel," and in some cases is used as a variant spelling of "Stengle."Stengle is also used as a variant spelling of the traditional German given name "Stegenle," an Old German name derived from "stegala," meaning "forge" or "anvil."

In America, the surname Stenglein is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, descendents of German immigrants who settled in the state as early as 1717.

In summary, the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Stenglein include Stengele, Stengell, Stengel, Stengle, and Stengl, and they are all derived from German root words such as "Stengel," "stegala," and "stangal" that mean "rod," "spear," "stalk," "forge," or "anvil." This surname is most commonly found in America amongst Pennsylvania descendents of German immigrants.

Famous people with the name Stenglein

• Dave Stenglein (American lawyer and politician)
• Justin Stenglein (Australian footballer)
• Elsa Stenglein (German cross-country skier)
• Blake Stenglein (American hockey player)
• Elisabeth Stenglein (German ice dancer)
• Abe Stenglein (German-born American actor)
• Leon Stenglein (German tapestry weaver)
• Elke Stenglein (former East German swimmer)
• Henry Stenglein (German WWI fighter pilot)
• Tom Stenglein (American eventer and sports coach)
• Bernhard Stenglein (German water polo player)
• Ruth Stenglein (American-born Dutch photographer)
• Brad Stenglein (American triple jumper)
• Edmund Stenglein (German-born American photographer)
• Ernst Stenglein (Austrian cyclist)

Other surnames

Stengle