Surname Berghänel - Meaning and Origin
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Berghänel: What does the surname Berghänel mean?
The German surname Berghänel (or Berghenel) is derived from the German words “berg” meaning mountain and “hänsel” meaning small or little, which combine to mean a person or family who lived on a small mountain. The earliest known record of the name dates back to 1262 AD when it was noted in the tax records of Rudolf of Würtemberg of Swabia, Germany.
The name is similar to other names with similar meanings, such as Bergmann, which means mountain man, and Bergmannsthal, which is the name of a mountain village in Austria.
The name is most commonly found in the countries of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, though it is also found scattered throughout other European countries. It is speculated that the name most likely stems from a medieval ancestor living in the hills and mountains of Central Europe, which are now some of the most populated regions in the world.
Berghänel is an uncommon name, but those who are proud to bear it probably take great pride in their German and Alpine heritage. Such individuals may also look upon their families’ ancient dwellings with reverence for the ancestors who lived there. With its roots in Central European history, this surname is sure to bring with it stories of days past and original connections to the rural region of its origin.
Order DNA origin analysisBerghänel: Where does the name Berghänel come from?
The last name Berghänel is most commonly found in Germany, where it is popular among the central German population. There are an estimated 83,000 people in Germany with the last name Berghänel, making it one of the more prevalent surnames within the country. It can also be found throughout Europe, particularly in Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic, although the number of individuals with the last name Berghänel is much lower compared to Germany.
The last name Berghänel is also distributed in other parts of the world, including the Americas, Australia, and New Zealand. Most of these populations are composed of descendants from Germany who, over the course of decades, immigrated to other countries due to economic, political, or social reasons. Comparatively, the numbers of individuals with the last name Berghänel are much lower outside of the European continent, suggesting that the majority of individuals with the last name Berghänel remain concentrated in its region of origin.
Overall, it is clear that the last name Berghänel is most prevalent in Germany, being one of the more commonly found surnames in the country. However, it can also be found in Europe and other parts of the world due to the historical migration of German-speakers throughout the world.
Variations of the surname Berghänel
Berghänel is a German surname originating from the word “berg” which means “mountain.” As with most German surnames, various spellings and variants exist for Berghänel, as well as surnames with the same etymological origin.
The Berghänel spelling is the most common form, though some other forms which may appear in records are ‘Berghegnele’, ‘Berghsenle’, ‘Berghsenel’, ‘Berghnerle’, and ‘Berghiesenle’.
Berghänel may also be found as a variant of Berghegnel, Berghegner, Berghenle, Berghle, and Berghenl.
Other surnames of similar origin include: Bergen, Bergsma, Bergmann, Berghoff, Bergamini, Berghuis, Bergner, Bergstrom, Bergstein, Bergquist, Bergland, and Bergman.
Some of the more unusual spellings that appear in records include: Bearghemel, Berghoemel, Berghimel, Berghömelle, Berghoimil, Berghiemel, and Bergmehl.
The surnames Berggren and Bergger are sometimes found and are likely derived from a combination of Berghänel and grän or ger, which are Nordic terms meaning “garden” or “border.”
The combination of Berghänel and the polski suffix ‘ski’, resulting in the surnames Berghänelski or Berghenski are also known.
Overall, the surname Berghänel is an enduring name with many different spellings and variants over time. Each variant has its own unique meaning which originates from the same source, making Berghänel an interesting surname to trace.
Famous people with the name Berghänel
- Fabian Berghänel: German journalist and author, and current Head of the UNESCO Chair for Journalism and Media at the Passau University of Applied Sciences.
- Paul Berghänel: German Field Marshal who served in the Imperial German Army
- Benjamin Berghänel: German professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays with the Landshut Cannibals in Germany
- Jens Berghänel: Retired German professional football player who played for a number of clubs in Bundesliga.
- Patrick Berghänel: German footballer who currently plays for FSV Zwickau in the 3. Liga.
- Christine Berghänel: German former professional tennis player, ranked in the top-30 in Germany.
- Elmar Berghänel: German former professional footballer who played mainly for Bayern Munich.
- Helmut Berghänel: German biathlete who competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics.
- Sebastian Berghänel: German former professional footballer who played for SpVgg Unterhaching, Karlsruher SC, and others.
- Alex Berghänel: German professional ice hockey player, currently playing with Krefeld Pinguine in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).