Surname Pickl - Meaning and Origin
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Pickl: What does the surname Pickl mean?
The last name Pickl is of German origin. The name is derived from a nickname, often given to a person with characteristics similar to what the name signifies. The term "Pickl" comes from the Middle High German word "bickel," which translates to "pickaxe" or "chisel." Hence, the surname was probably assigned to someone who used or made these tools, suggesting an occupational origin. This implies that the initial carriers of this surname likely had jobs related to mining, masonry, or blacksmithing, or any profession that involved the extensive use of pickaxes or chisels. Just like many other surnames that have occupational roots, the descendants then carried on the surname through generations. It is important to note that the distribution, spelling, and meaning of surnames can evolve over time and can pick up local influences.
Order DNA origin analysisPickl: Where does the name Pickl come from?
Pickl is an uncommon last name today, but it originated in parts of Central and Eastern Europe. The first known reference to the Pickl surname is from 1512 in Bavaria. The surname was likely derived from a location name or a nickname, such as the German word for a pickle, which was often used in lieu of a more formal name.
In the modern day, the Pickl surname is found mainly in Austria and Germany, with some prevalence in the United States. According to the United States 2020 Census, there were 887 Pickl or derivations of the name living in the US. The majority of these individuals were concentrated in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, with small numbers elsewhere in the country. While some Pickl families have emigrated to the US, the majority of individuals currently bearing the surname likely trace their ancestry back to Central and Eastern Europe.
The German language website, GenWiki, includes numerous Pickl entries from various historic records, primarily in Austria and Germany. These indicate that the Pickl surname was in use in Central and Eastern Europe for hundreds of years, with some records stretching as far back as the 16th century.
Today, the Pickl surname remains rare, but its presence is still found in the regions of its origin.
Variations of the surname Pickl
The surname Pickl is thought to be derived from the German term "Pickel", which means pickaxe. This surname is found primarily in German-speaking countries, and by extension, in places with a substantial German cultural influence. It is also found in non-German areas of the world, such as the United States, where it has been altered to Pfeil, Pfeiffer, and Pfeiffel.
The most common variants of the Pickl surname are Pickel, Pfeiffer, Pfäffle, Pfiffer, and Pickl. Pickl is often spelled as Pickle, Pikle, Pycles, Picles, Pyckles, and Pakels. In English-speaking countries, the spelling may be altered to Pfeifer, Pfeiffel, Pickles, Picrol, or Pikrell.
Pickl is also found in a few other surnames, such as Pyrlan, Perlan, Perlan, Pilgrim, Pilgram, Pilgerm, Pylgerm, Pickerlain, Pikerlein, and Peikerlin. All of these surnames are thought to be derived from the original German term.
The Pickl surname is an uncommon one, but its many variants can still be found in the many countries of the world. In addition to the variations mentioned above, it can also be spelled differently depending upon the local language or dialect.
Famous people with the name Pickl
- Ryan Pickl: He is an entertainer, host, and professional emcee from Nebraska in the USA. He is best known for his work on YouTube and his podcast "Boomer & Pickl".
- Horst Pickl: He was an Austrian stage and film actor whose career spanned over four decades, with works in both German and English-language productions.
- Max Pickl: He is a German football coach and former player.
- Kurt Pickl: He was an Austrian composer of contemporary classical music.
- Joe Pickl: He is a former ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for the Minnesota North Stars.
- Hans Pickl: He was a German politician and lawyer who was active during the Weimar era.
- Matthew Pickl: He is an American actor and producer, best known for his work on films such as The Ruins and Let's Be Cops.
- Robert Pickl: He is a German theater director and screenwriter who has written and directed numerous successful plays and films.
- Martin Pickl: He is a former cross country skier from Germany who competed at the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid.
- Pierre Pickl: He is a French fashion designer whose work has been shown at Paris Fashion Week, London Fashion Week, and the Cannes Film Festival.