Surname Winkeler - Meaning and Origin
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Winkeler: What does the surname Winkeler mean?
The last name Winkeler appears to be of German origin, possibly derived from the word "Winkel" which in German means "corner" or "angle". It is likely that the original bearer of the name was a resident of a small village that was located at or near an intersection or junction. Over time, the name Winkeler was adopted as a surname by the family living in this village.
Variations of the name also exist, such as Winkelate, Winkler, and even Winklere, which is most likely a misspelling.
The Winkeler surname has likely been in use for centuries, as it appears in records from the mid-18th century. It has been documented that people bearing this name have had various occupations in Germany, including farmers, tradespeople, and merchants. As well, the name was also common among Jews living in Germany, with some emigrating to the United States beginning in the late 19th century.
Overall, the name Winkeler signifies a long and distinguished history of German heritage, previously rooted in a small village at an intersection or junction. It is no wonder that the name is still used widely today, even after centuries of adaptation and evolution.
Order DNA origin analysisWinkeler: Where does the name Winkeler come from?
The last name Winkeler is most common in the western part of Germany, particularly in the areas of North Rhine-Westphalia and Rheinland-Pfalz. Winkelers are also found in parts of the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United States.
In North Rhine-Westphalia, the last name Winkeler is more prevalent in the city of Köln (Cologne) and its surrounding areas. This region is known for its mixture of Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish religious and cultural influences, making it a melting pot of different ethnic groups.
In the United States, Winkelers are located in Texas, specifically in populated areas such as Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and El Paso. Texas is largely populated by Americans of German heritage, making it a great place for Winkelers to settle down.
In Switzerland, there are Winkeler families residing in the Basel region, which is known for its many universities and hospitals. The region is also home to multinational companies and many expats, so it is quite common to find people of different nationalities and backgrounds living there.
Overall, the Winkeler surname is still fairly common today and can be found in many parts of Europe and the United States. Its concentrations are strongest in western Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Texas.
Variations of the surname Winkeler
The surname Winkeler is a German patronymic surname, derived from the personal name Winkel. Variations of the spelling of this surname include Winkeler, Winkler, Wenkler, Wenkle, Winkle, Winckler, Winckel, Winklemann, Winkeldorf, Winkels, and Winkleman, among various others.
The Winkeler surname has its roots in Middle High German (MHG) and is derived from the MHG word ‘winkel’ which means "angle, corner, secret". This surname was first used to refer to persons who lived near a corner or an angle in the landscape. It was also used as an occupational name for someone who worked as a mason or carpenter, as angles and corners were essential to the craftsmanship of these occupations.
In some cases, this surname also refers to German variations of the biblical name Zacharias, in which the MHG form of the name is ‘Winkelar’. As a result of this, there are families in Germany who bear the surname Winkeler and are descended from persons who were named after this biblical figure.
Other surnames with the same origin include Winkler, Winkle, and Weinkle. Winkler is a variation of the Winkeler surname and also has its roots in MHG. Winkle is a pet form of Winkler, while Weinkle is a rarer and more obscure variation of Winkle.
It should be noted that, even though these surnames have the same origin, each of them has developed differently over time. As a result of this, each of them has a different distribution and frequency in various parts of the world.
Famous people with the name Winkeler
- Dawn Winkeler:- former Award-winning news anchor, turned award-winning author and speaker
- Pete Winkeler:- professional football player who once held records in both the Canadian Football League and the Arena Football League
- Zane Winkeler:- Senior Vice President of Americorps’ national direct-service organization
- Mark Winkeler:- photographer, specializing in nature photography
- Iris Winkeler:- professional classical pianist
- Henry Winkeler:- chancellor of a major universities, recognized for his academic achievements and dedication to the community
- Richard Winkeler:- renowned architect, credited with designing several iconic public buildings
- Joe Winkeler:- Emmy award-winning screenwriter
- Tom Winkeler:- executive producer at NPR, known for creating acclaimed documentaries
- Jeff Winkeler:- Chef and James Beard award-winning restaurateur