Surname Bürgel - Meaning and Origin
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Bürgel: What does the surname Bürgel mean?
The last name Bürgel is of German origin, with the literal translation of “citizens” or “city dwellers”. This surname originated during medieval times when people began to adopt last names that reflected their social position, profession, or place of residence. Bürgel could refer to someone who was a resident of a fortified city, which was known as a ‘Burg’ in German. It could also refer to someone who held public office, or who had acquired a certain level of wealth and prestige within the community.
Originally, the name would have been spelt ‘Burggel’ or ‘Burckel’. Its pronunciation would have been somewhat closer to the modern German pronunciation of ‘Burkhel’. However, like many surnames, the spelling of it has evolved over time in order to become the modern ‘Bürgel’. It can also be found as ‘Bürkle’, ‘Berkel’, ‘Berggel’, and ‘Bergell’.
The surname is now widely dispersed all over Europe, especially within Germany. While the name is thought to have originated in the southern regions of Germany, it can now be found as far west as the Netherlands, and as far east as Poland.
Often, the surname can be found in combination with other names, such as the combination “von Bürgel”, which is often seen today. This is a reminder of the long history of this name, and its evolution over the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisBürgel: Where does the name Bürgel come from?
The last name Bürgel is most common today in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. According to a recent analysis of surnames, the last name Bürgel ranks particularly high among the population of regions located in the state of Saarland, Germany.
The last name Bürgel likely originates from the Middle German word “bûrgel” which translates to an area of uncultivated land. Thus, it is possible that Bürgel was an occupational surname derived from someone who worked on or around such land, such as a farmer, gardener or forester.
Over time, more people adopted the surname Bürgel and it has become a common German family name seen in various areas throughout German-speaking Europe. It is estimated that roughly 600,000 people in Germany bear the last name Bürgel. This number may be slightly more or less based on other countries in the region such as Austria and Switzerland, where a significant number of people are likely listed with this surname.
Furthermore, the surname Bürgel appears to have extended itself to other areas of the world such as parts of the United States, most likely due to immigration in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Since Bürgel is a relatively common German last name, it is likely that it is seen in many other areas worldwide.
Variations of the surname Bürgel
The surname Bürgel has several variants, spellings, and surnames. These include Bergle, Bergell, Berglass, Berglas, Berlee, Burgall, Burgell, Burgella, Burger, Burgerle, Burgle, Bergel, and Bergli.
Bürgel is a common German surname that has been found in the region since the Middle Ages. It can also be found in other countries throughout Europe such as Austria, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, and Switzerland.
The name originated from the German word "berg" or "bergen" which means mountain or hill. As such, the original meaning of Bürgel was "one who lives in or near a mountain or hill", suggesting that the bearer of this name may have lived in a mountainous region.
The name can also be found in its plural form, "Bürgeln", in some German records. Within German records, variant spellings of the surname are common and may be due to regional dialect or mistakes on the part of a scribe. In addition, due to its commonality, the surname may have been shared by two or more families in the same area, causing further spelling variations.
Today, the surname Bürgel is still common throughout Europe, and many people of German descent who bear this name are proud of their heritage.
Famous people with the name Bürgel
- Wilhelm Bürgel: German writer, poet, and novelist
- Adalbert Bürgel: Austrian painter, illustrator and graphic designer
- Madeline Bürgel: American actress and singer
- Herbert Bürgel: Austrian journalist, author, and editor
- Georg Bürgel: Austrian clockmaker
- Fritz Bürgel: German conductor, composer, and arranger
- Alfred Bürgel: German musicologist
- Heiner Bürgel: German mechanical engineer and inventor
- Andreas Bürgel: German sculptor and painter
- Dorothea Bürgel: German language instructor, author, and president of Schriftstellerverband Deutschland
- Boaz Bürgel: Israeli musician
- Marcus Bürgel: Swiss footballer
- Josef Bürgel: Austrian politician
- Franz Bürgel: Austrian librarian and seminary professor
- Jean-Étienne Bürgel: Swiss architect and civil engineer