Surname Sternel - Meaning and Origin
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Sternel: What does the surname Sternel mean?
The surname Sternel is of German origin, and traces its roots all the way back to Medieval Germany. It is derived from the Middle High German word “Stern”, which means “star”. As a surname, the literal meaning of Sternel is “starling”, the small birds commonly seen darting around in flocks during spring and summer.
Given the origin of the surname, it seems reasonable to assume that its earliest bearers were those who were particularly unobtrusive or humble, as starlings are small and not generally the most prominent birds in the sky. It's also not entirely unlikely that the name was given by someone whose career may have required him or her to be diligent and hard-working, again like the starlings.
The exact meaning of Sternel further evolved over centuries, and the surname underwent many subtle changes over time. During the 1800s and 1900s, for example, people who were particularly well-liked or prosperous adopted the surname as a status symbol. This served as a reminder that having goodwill or fame brings a certain amount of power and influence.
All in all, the last name Sternel stands for a unique set of qualities. These include humility, diligence, influence, prestige, and ambition. Its many influences over the centuries serve as a reminder to pursue greatness but always remain humble in the face of it.
Order DNA origin analysisSternel: Where does the name Sternel come from?
The last name Sternel is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today. It is also found in other parts of Europe, such as Hungary, the Netherlands, and Lithuania. Outside of Europe, the name is found in the United States, as well as Argentina.
The meaning of Sternel is uncertain, but there are some theories that suggest it could be derived either from the Latin word for “star”, or from a German word meaning “severe”. Variations of the name include Stern and Sternele.
In Germany, the name is most commonly found in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, as well as the southwestern states of Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate. In Austria, it can be found mostly in the southern states of Tyrol and Vorarlberg.
Overall, the surname is not particularly common, but those who do carry it may be proud of its rich history and unique origin.
Variations of the surname Sternel
The surname Sternel is derived from the German word “Starnel”, meaning starling. It is usually seen spelled as Sternel, Sternell, Sterne, and Sternl. Less common variants of this surname include Stern, Sterna, Stearn, Sternberg, Stearns, and Steurns.
In the Czech Republic the spelling of Sternel is known to have been changed to Štýrnal. Similarly, families of this surname in Slovakia have been known to spell it as Štírnel or Štírnal.
The surname’s variants below originate from other countries:
- In the Netherlands and Belgium, the surname is usually spelled as Steringa or Stering
- In Poland, it is most commonly spelled as Sternal
- In Sweden, the variants are Sternelius or Sternellius
- In Hungary, this surname is most commonly seen as Stergels
- In France, it is spelled Sternel or Sternell
These variants of Sternel come with different ethnic origins as well. The Polish-Jewish version comes from the Yiddish word 'Stornl', referring to “tough or stern". Another popular origin is that the surname is derived from the German word ‘Starnel’, which means “starling”.
In conclusion, the surname Sternel has many different variations, spellings and surnames of similar origin. This explains how families with the same surname may not have the same inherited history, culture or heritage.
Famous people with the name Sternel
- Adam Sternel: An American photographer specializing in nature and fine art photography.
- Jordan Sternel: A professional American internet entrepreneur known for founding the web design and development agency Prolific Interactive.
- Seth Sternel: A former professional baseball player who pitched for the Detroit Tigers in the major leagues from 1988 to 1990.
- Mark Sternel: An American actor best known for his role in the film "The Godfather Part III" as the Gambino family's lawyer.
- Kurt Sternel: An Austrian-born conductor and professor of music at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut.
- Borys Sternel: A Polish artist who was most famous as a symbolist writer and painter in the period 1890-1950.
- Elke Sternel: A German painter, sculptor, and photographer who has been exhibiting since 2006.
- Petra Sternel: A German author, illustrator, and freelance writer who works both as a freelancer and for newspapers.
- Henry Sternel: A German-American rabbi most famous for his book The Comprehensive Commentary on the Talmud.
- Gisela Sternel: A German actress who has starred in several television shows and films, most notably the television series Sesamstrasse.