Surname Stertzel - Meaning and Origin
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Stertzel: What does the surname Stertzel mean?
The last name Stertzel is of German, Swiss-German, and Jewish origins. It is derived from the German nickname “Strotzel”, which is from an Old German word “stroz” meaning strong or stout. The name is believed to have first emerged in the 13th century in Bavaria, when Germanic rulers were in search of loyal and hardworking soldiers to serve in their military forces. Eventually, families from various different regions began to adopt the name, giving the name Stertzel its ubiquitous status.
In the United States, where the name Stertzel is especially popular, it is seen as a representation of German-American heritage, which is characterized by loyalty, hard work, and passion. Famous individuals who have the surname include modern-day author and chemist Hans Stertzel, and American landscape architect Richard J. Stertzel.
The name Stertzel is known for engendering a sense of pride for those who bear it. It stands for strength, commitment, and perseverance. Its reputation makes it an enduring symbol of German-American heritage and culture.
Order DNA origin analysisStertzel: Where does the name Stertzel come from?
The last name Stertzel is most common in Germany, particularly in the region of Bavaria. It is thought to be of German origin, either derived from the word "Stamitzel" meaning small elbow, as a nickname for someone with an elbow deformity, or derived from a Germanic personal name containing the element "ster" meaning strong.
Stertzel is also present in some parts of East Prussia, which is now part of Russia. During the 19th century, many Germans migrated to Russia and the United States, so today, the surname is also common in the United States. In the latest census, the surname was found in 25 US states.
In 2020, Stertzel is most widely spread across the globe in Europe and North America, with other countries including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, and New Zealand having smaller populations. It is among the 20,000 most common surnames in Germany.
Overall, the spread of the Stertzel name is insect throughout the world, but only 0.001 percent of people on Earth bear the last name. Its rarity is likely due to its Germanic origins.
Variations of the surname Stertzel
Stertzel is a German surname with several variants, spellings and other surnames of the same origin. The most common variant of Stertzel is Stertzl, a spelling which has become very popular in many parts of Germany and Austria.
Other similar spellings for Stertzel include Stretzl, Stretzels, Strązels, Stretzell, and Sträzel.
Surnames of the same origin as Stertzel include Stirtzel, Sturtzel, Sturzel, Strutzel, Sturtz, Strutz, Streuts, Stirzel, Stritzl, Strutzl, and Strautmann.
Most of these surnames share the same root word of Strutz or Struts, which is derived from the old German word "strutzen", which means “to protect, to build a barricade”. The name originated with someone who protected his settlement and was given the surname in recognition of his protective actions.
Stertzel is still quite common today, though most of the other surnames related to it have become much less frequent, save for some of the variant spellings.
Famous people with the name Stertzel
- Steven Stertzel: A former professional basketball player who started his career with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1968. After that he played for several other teams, such as the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Chicago Bulls.
- William Stertzel: A former NASCAR driver who began competing in 1974. During his career, he participated in 11 Grand National races and 2 Winston Cup races.
- Annie Stertzel: An American television producer, director, and writer who is best known for her work on the series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Outlander, and Shameless, among others.
- David Stertzel: A former American soccer player who played professionally in the United States from 1982 to 1992. He played 291 games and scored 8 goals during his career.
- Joe Stertzel: A former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Baltimore Orioles from 1988 to 1990. He went on to play for several other teams before retiring in 1992.
- John Stertzel: A former NFL player who was an offensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers from 1972 to 1980.
- Margaret Stertzel: A former professional swimmer who competed in multiple events at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. She won the bronze medal in the 200-meter breaststroke.
- Mark Stertzel: A former NFL defensive lineman who played for the San Francisco 49ers from 1978 to 1985.
- Michael Stertzel: An American actor who is best known for his role on the soap opera, As the World Turns.
- Sarah Stertzel: A former World Cup alpine ski racer. She represented the United States in the 1992 Olympics in Albertville, France.