Surname Hämmel - Meaning and Origin
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F. Hämmel
read moreHämmel: What does the surname Hämmel mean?
The last name Hämmel is a German-language surname, derived from an old German word meaning "flock of birds" or "multitude". It was a common name in Germany up until the 19th century, and is still fairly prevalent today. It is found most commonly in the northern and western regions of the country.
The exact origin of the name is not entirely clear. Some believe it may be derived from the Old German word "Hemel", which referred to a gathering of birds as well as the nature spirits of forests and meadows. Others suggest that it is derived from "hagen" or "hama", two Old German words meaning "enclosure" or "wall".
In its original form, the name was generally spelled Hamel, with an "H" at the beginning of the word and an "L" at the end. By the Middle Ages, variations began to appear in the spelling, including Hämmel, in which an umlaut (two dots) was added over the "A" in the name.
The name also appears in several variations and diminutives, such as Hammel, Hämmler, and Hammell, among others. All of these variations are still in use today.
Historically, the name Hämmel has been associated with farming, agriculture and rural life in general. It is likely that those bearing the name were peasant farmers or field laborers. In more recent times, people bearing the name have typically pursued careers in city life and industry, using their rural backgrounds to help them become successful business people.
Order DNA origin analysisHämmel: Where does the name Hämmel come from?
The last name Hämmel is most commonly found in Germany and the surrounding countries. It is likely of either Germanic or Old German origin, and is derived from the German word 'Hammel', which means lamb. It is estimated that between 1,400 and 2,000 people share the surname Hämmel in Germany today.
The name Hämmel is also present in many other countries, including the United States and Canada. The earliest possible record of the name in North America dates back to the early 18th century, when Johann Georg Hamel is believed to have immigrated from Germany. According to the 2020 US Census, there are currently over 5,000 individuals listed with the last name Hämmel in the United States.
Today, Hämmel is a relatively uncommon last name. However, there are small clusters of the name in other countries, including Austria, Czech Republic, Netherlands, and Russia. According to the 1000 most common surnames in Europe, the name ranks in at number 15,813 in terms of popularity.
All in all, the last name Hämmel is most common today in Germany and various other countries in Europe. It is also present in North America, though not as popular.
Variations of the surname Hämmel
The surname Hämmel has a variety of variants and spellings, including Hammle, Hamel, Hemel, Hamel, Hemulle, Hamul, Hamle, and Hamill. Each of these variants has its own distinct origins, usually stemming from a place name or a nickname.
The earliest known occurrences of the surname Hämmel come from the localities of Bavaria and Swabia in Germany. The surname can be either from a Germanic word denoting a building or geometrical space, or an old German name meaning "messenger" or "courier". It is also said that the name could have been based on a locational name from a place called Hemel, and was adapted to refer to people from there.
The surname is of German origin, but variations have been found in other European countries, such as Switzerland, Netherlands, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Russia, Italy, and even the United States.
The surname Hämmel is most common in German-speaking regions, but it has also spread to other countries, so many variations may be found. In some cases, it is modified depending on the particular country. For example, the official spelling ‘Hämmel’ in Germany is sometimes converted to ‘Hamel’ in the Netherlands.
All of the variants and spellings of the surname Hämmel share the same origin, but they are all related in some way. These surnames all indicate a connection to a specific place or group of people, which is what gives them their unique meanings and can help to trace family histories.
Famous people with the name Hämmel
- Nena Hämmel: German makeup artist and beauty influencer.
- Christian Hämmel: German hockey player.
- Georg Hämmel: German child actor.
- Kurt Hämmel: German film and television actor.
- Paul Hämmel: German car designer.
- Josef Hämmel: Swiss-German painter.
- Andre Hämmel: German illustrator.
- Henry Hämmel: German general in World War II.
- Mary Hämmel: German politician.
- Johann Jakob Hämmel: German theologian.
- Irenaeus Hämmel: German philosopher.
- Karl Hämmel: German experimental physicist and astronomer.
- Johann August Hämmel: German classical scholar and theologian.
- Jan Hämmel: German accordion player and composer.
- Sebastian Hämmel: German rower.