Surname Appel - Meaning and Origin
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Discovering the Roots of my German, Dutch, and Jewish Ancestry Through iGENEA DNA: The Historical Journey of the Appel Surname
Taking a deep dive into my past and heritage, my iGENEA DNA test unveiled fascinating cultural and historical contexts that have breathed life into my identity. In tracing the origins and history of my surname, Appel, I discovered an enthralling array of roots across German, Dutch and Jewish cultures, all woven intricately together, providing a vivid tapestry of my ancient lineage.
R. Appel
read moreAppel: What does the surname Appel mean?
The last name Appel is of German and Jewish origin and is derived from the German word ‘Apfel’, which means ‘apple’ in English. It may have started out as a nickname taken from the appearance or character of an individual, derived from the phrase ‘as round as an apple’. Alternatively, it may have been originally derived from the German word ‘Apfell’, meaning ‘apple tree’.
In the Middle Ages, the German Appel surname became popular and widespread throughout Europe as an occupational name for a fruit picker, grower, or merchant. It was also an occupational name for someone who worked in an apple orchard. As people moved away from their birthplace, they often changed their surname to avoid confusion or in response to their cultural environment. Appel is one of the many names that have been used over the centuries.
The Appel name is quite common in many parts of Europe, including Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland. In the United States, some Appels have likely descended from German immigrants who came in the 19th and early 20th centuries. As adoption of Appel spread, it is often seen today as a surname, a given name, or as part of a compound name with other German words.
The Appel last name reveals a rich history in Europe and illustrates how surnames are still very much a part of daily life. It is significant in different cultures and countries, and often carries a representation of how each individual first earned the family name.
Order DNA origin analysisAppel: Where does the name Appel come from?
Appel is a surname which is believed to have originated in Germany. Today, it is most common in the United States, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest regions. In the United States, Appel is the 386th most popular name, with over 24,000 people bearing the surname.
Appel is also a popular surname in Canada, particularly in Ontario, where it is the 766th most popular name, with over 1800 people bearing the surname. Appel can also be found in small but notable numbers in other countries around the world such as the Netherlands,Australia, England, Scotland and Sweden.
The Appel surname is derived from the words "apple" or "apfel" in German. It is believed to be an occupational name indicating a person who either grew or sold apples. Over time, the name evolved and spread throughout Europe and eventually, to America and other parts of the world.
Thus, today the last name Appel is most commonly found in the United States, Canada, and a handful of other countries. It is still a relatively rare name; however, it does appear in different forms such as Appelbaum, Appell, and Appleman, among others.
Variations of the surname Appel
The surname ‘Appel’ is derived from the German word 'Apfel', which means apple. This surname is found among Jewish, Dutch and German communities, as well as those with Ashkenazi Jewish and British Isles ancestry. It may also be found among people of French, Scandinavian and Slavic origin.
Variant spellings of 'Appel' include Apel, Appell, Appelbaum, Apfel, appelblom, and Appelboom. Some plurals of the surname are Appeldorn, Appelsen, and Appelhoff.
People not of German or Jewish ancestry may use the surname Apple. Variants of Apple include Appel, Appello, Apland, and Aple.
Other surnames of the same origin include Oppel, Appelt, Oppeldt, Appelhud, Appeldechte, Oppelmann, Appeler, Appelquist, Appelmans, Appelhof, Appelman, Appelgren, and Appelgryn.
Finally, some names that have the same sound as Appel, but come from another origin, include D'Appello, D'Appelgny, and Appelloin.
Famous people with the name Appel
- Gordon Appel: Professional guitarist and sound engineer who has performed live with multiple bands and composed and produced music for film, television, and music albums.
- Michael Appel: Actor, director, and producer for the Art Attack production company.
- Paul Appel: Winner of an award by the German Association for Science called the Alexander Berg Award.
- Isaac Appel: Israeli filmmaker and co-founder of the Google-sponsored educational film series “Snapshots from the Middle East”.
- Maria Appel: Swedish actress most known for her role in the film “Lida”. Debuted in the 2000 film “To Fleet Again”.
- Roy Appel: Author of 5 books, including the New York Times bestseller “The Complete Joy of Homebrewing”.
- Mark Appel: Former Major League Baseball pitcher turned investor.
- John Appel: Award-winning documentary and short film maker. Has been a director for many independent productions.
- Walter Appel: German chemical engineer who served as the head of the Institute of Technical Chemistry at the University of Stuttgart.
- Shelley Appel: american lifestyle expert and an interior designer. Appeared on multiple television shows such as Extra and The Talk.