Surname Stentzel - Meaning and Origin
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Stentzel: What does the surname Stentzel mean?
The last name Stentzel is commonly found throughout Germany and other parts of Europe. It is thought to have originated from the Middle High German words for “stein” (stone) and “zelle” (cell). This suggests that the name Stentzel may have been created from a combination of two smaller families, such as one from a stone dwelling and the other from a cell dwelling.
The German language also suggests that the name Stentzel may be an occupational surname, representing someone who works with tools or a machinist. This origin came from the Middle High German word “stenzil”, which means “tool”. It is also widely believed that the name Stentzel may come from the Old High German word, “stai”, meaning “stand, frame, or stall”, suggesting that it was given to a seller or serf employed in a market stall.
Today, the name Stentzel is found throughout the world. Those with the name usually have German, Dutch, or Swiss heritage. The common surnames and their spellings can vary, such as Stenzler, Stentz, Stenz, Stentzler, and Stenzel. Overall, the name Stentzel has been around for hundreds of years and it has various interpretations that date back to the Middle High German language.
Order DNA origin analysisStentzel: Where does the name Stentzel come from?
The last name Stentzel can be found across much of North America and Europe today. In the United States, it is most common in the Midwestern states of Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Indiana. California, Pennsylvania, and New York also have a higher than average occurrence of the name. In Canada, the Stentzel name can be found mostly in Ontario and Quebec, with some occurrences in Alberta.
In Europe, the Stentzel last name has been found primarily in Germany, especially in the western states. It is also quite common in the former Czechoslovakia, as well as in France and Poland.
Genealogical records trace the name back to the mid 1700s, primarily to the Bavarian area of Germany but also with connections to, Alsace, Luxembourg, and Lorraine. It is believed the name was originally spelled “Stentz” and is derived from a medieval German term meaning “sting” or “spike.”
Today, the name Stentzel is an uncommon but widely dispersed surname, found across North America and Europe. It is most common in the United States in the Midwest, Canada in Ontario and Quebec, and in western Germany in Europe.
Variations of the surname Stentzel
The surname Stentzel has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These variants include: Stanzel, Stanzil, Stanzell, Stanzal, Stantzl, Stantzell, Stamzell, Stanseill and Stonseil.
The Stentzel surname can be traced back to the Germanic word "stenzal," which means "sturdy." It was originally used as a nickname for a strong individual. This type of surname was also known as an occupational name, since those with the same name likely worked as an armorer or blacksmith.
In the United States, the Stentzel surname is likely a variation of the more anglicized "Stansel." The Stansel surname is believed to have been brought to America by German immigrants in the 18th century. It was also likely derived from the Germanic word "stenzal," and is thought to have taken on a spelling change when immigrants from the Palatine region of Germany settled in Pennsylvania.
The surname Stentzel is also found in Poland, where it is spelled as “Staszewicz” or “Steszewicz.” This variation likely originated during the 1500s when Poland began converting to Catholicism. The original surname was likely shortened and changed during this era, as the Polish language was gradually widely adopted in the region.
Regardless of the variation of the surname, they all share the same origin and meaningThe surname Stentzel is a unique name that has a long and varied history. It has been carried by numerous generations of families across Europe and the United States.
Famous people with the name Stentzel
- Alice Stentzel — Animation Director at Nickelodeon.
- Miller Stentzel — Washington & Lee Entrepreneur-in-Residence in VA.
- Chris Stentzel — Emmy Award-winning VFX supervisor.
- Justin Stentzel — Professional Overwatch gamer from the USA.
- Christine Stentzel — author of numerous books, including Surprised by Love.
- Tom Stentzel — an American actor best known for playing Sheriff Joe Gray in the television series The Dukes of Hazzard.
- Karla Stentzel — shutterstock photographer and graphic designer from Des Moines, IA.
- Marjorie Stentzel — a jazz historian, author, and the former director of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra.
- Sam Stentzel — a modern American composer and music producer from Atlanta, GA.
- Frank Stentzel — a professional football player who played for the NFL's Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers.