Surname Hinckl - Meaning and Origin
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Hinckl: What does the surname Hinckl mean?
The last name Hinckl is of German origin. It is derived from the Old German nickname hing-clu, meaning "the hinge," and originally was an occupational name for a person who made or repaired hinges. It could also be a topographic name for someone living in an area near to a hinge (assumedly on a door or gate). The surname is also thought to be related to the word Hinkel, meaning "stork."
Hinckl is fairly uncommon in Germany today, and is believed to have emerged in eastern Germany in the 13th century. It can also be found in regions along the coasts of modern-day Poland and Russia. The name is also found in Normandy, France, from when a group of Germans went to France in the 15th century. As in Germany, it is still uncommon in France today.
In North America, the Hinckl name is present as well, as it was brought there by German settlers who immigrated in the 17th and 18th centuries. It is primarily found in the United States, but is also present in Canada and Mexico. Today, some of the most notable people with the surname Hinckl are the American inventors Robert and William Hinckl, the Canadian educator Juanita Hinckl, and the German-American actor Wolfgang Hinckl.
All in all, the last name Hinckl has a unique and interesting history—from its origins as an occupational name to its success in the US, Canada, Mexico, and the rest of the world. It is a testament to the hard work and ingenuity of generations of people with that same surname, all of whom have contributed to the rich history of the Hinckl family.
Order DNA origin analysisHinckl: Where does the name Hinckl come from?
The last name Hinckl is most commonly associated with Germany and its surrounding countries. Specifically, it appears to have originated from the region now known as Lower Saxony.
Hinckl itself is an anglicised spelling of various German surnames that all share a common root form such as Hinkel, Helnkel, and Hinkele. It is likely that the origin of these names comes from a combination of the Proto-Germanic words “Hink” (enclosure) and “Held” (hero).
Today, the last name Hinckl continues to be found in Germany, although it has also spread to parts of Europe, the United States, and Canada. Records show the Hinckl name and its variants have a long history in German immigrant communities, tracing back to the 17- and 18-century Palatine and Westphalian migrations to the United States.
In America, the Hinckl name is primarily found in the Midwestern states such as Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan. However, this can vary, as population movements have seen the name crop up in other states, too.
Despite its slow spread outside of the German-speaking parts of Europe, the last name Hinckl is still most strongly associated with the region of Lower Saxony in Germany.
Variations of the surname Hinckl
The surname Hinckl has a number of different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Hinckl is primarily a German surname originating from “Hincl” or “Hinke”, and it is most commonly found in the Northern parts of Germany.
Variants of Hinckl include Hinck, Hink, Hincke, and Hincken. Hinckl is also known by several spellings, such as Hinckel, Hüncl, and Hinkel. Surnames of the same origin as Hinckl include Hinkle, Henkel, Henkle, Hallink, Hawink, and Ginda.
The surname Hinckl is relatively common in Germany, but it is not widely found in other countries. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin as Hinckl are not as widely distributed either.
Considering the variations in the surname, it may be difficult to recognize a family connection between someone holding the surname Hinckl and others with a surname of the same origin. However, it is still possible to trace such a family link if good genealogical research is conducted. Further research may reveal family connections between people who carry any of the variants, spellings, or surnames of the same origin as Hinckl.
Famous people with the name Hinckl
- Mike Hinckley: American professional baseball player in the Cincinnati Reds organization.
- Margaret Hinckley: American professional golfer and broadcaster who was inducted into the New Jersey State Golf Association Hall of Fame in 1989.
- Wendell Hinckley: American photographer who has had numerous solo exhibitions of his work shown in the United States and abroad.
- Carolyn Hinckley: American comedic actress, former model and beauty queen best known for her work on shows like the Golden Girls and MADtv.
- Kathy Hinckley: American businesswoman and the first female chief executive officer of a business unit at The Coca-Cola Company.
- David Hinckley: American journalist and senior editor at The New York Post.
- B.F. Hinckley: American musician and composer who wrote some of the earliest known compositions for the banjo, which he called "banjar".
- Mary E. Hinckley: One of the first women to receive a full medical degree in the United States.
- Fred B. Hinckley: American missionary who served in the British colony of Hong Kong from 1845 to 1875 and worked to convert Chinese people to Christianity.
- Joanna Hinckley: American independent filmmaker whose directorial debut, Saving Lincoln, was selected for the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.