Surname Pickel - Meaning and Origin
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Pickel: What does the surname Pickel mean?
The surname Pickel is of German origin and is a variant of the name Pickelmann or Pickl. It is derived from the Middle High German term "pikel" meaning "sharp point" or "pike." The name was often given as a metonymic occupational name for a maker of pointed tools or weapons, or possibly for a soldier who wielded a pike. It can also be a locational surname referring to someone who lived by a pointed mountain peak, or an altered form of a place name such as Püttlach in Franconia. As with many surnames, variations in spelling can be found over time and across different geographical areas.
Order DNA origin analysisPickel: Where does the name Pickel come from?
The surname Pickel is of German origin, as derived from the middle high German 'pickle' or 'pickel' meaning pointed protuberance.
Today, the last name Pickel is most common in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States. In the United States, South Dakota has the most living individuals with the last name Pickel, followed by Wisconsin and California. This surname is concentrated mainly in rural areas outside of major cities.
In Germany, the surname Pickel is present in various German regions, including Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia.
In Austria, the last name Pickel is more commonly found in the Burgenland, Vienna, and Norsel regions.
In Switzerland, the last name Pickel is mainly found in the cantons of St. Gallen, Aargau, and Zurich.
Throughout the world, the Pickel surname is quite rare; however, it is still fairly widely distributed in Europe, the United States, and other parts of the globe.
Variations of the surname Pickel
The surname Pickel has many variants, including Pickle, Pikle, Pickle, Peeckle, Peckle, and Pixey. The surname was German, and originally the name was spelled "Peckel" and derived from the Middle High German word peckel, which was a type of pointed tool. In other words, the surname Pickel literally meant "one who wields a pointy stick."
The variants of the name Pickel or Pickle refer to a number of different spellings from the original spelling of Peckel. These variations have been used by Pickel descendants over time. Other spelling variations include Peckel, Pekel, Pick, Pickel, Picle, Pixey, Pechell, Pickal, Pickiel, Pikle and Peakell.
The surname Pickel is found in several other countries as well, including Austria, Hungary, and the Ukraine. In Austria, the name is spelled as "Pikl" or "Pickl". In Hungary, the surname is written as "Pickel" or "Spickel" and in the Ukraine, the surname is written as "Pikalo".
Because of the wide variety of spellings and variants used over time, individuals with the same surname may have different spellings, and spelling variants can sometimes identify different branches of the family line.
Famous people with the name Pickel
- Mark Pickel: A photographer and cinematographer who has contributed to content seen on networks such as Discovery, History, National Geographic and Travel Channel.
- Robert Pickel: The current Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the International Swaps and Derivatives Association.
- Alex Pickel: A young Entrepreneur, consultant and pert associated with The White House Fellows, Young Presidents’ Organization and the World Economic Forum.
- Butch Pickel: The senior vice president and General Manager of the Platte Valley Bank in Kansas City.
- Axel Pickel: A German actor and director who has made appearances on TV series like Der Staatsanwalt, Alarm für Cobra 11 and Rote Rosen.
- Danny Pickel: The News Media Relations director for the CNN US ad London offices.
- Elly Pickel: An artist based in Germany, known for her illustrative work with water paint and ink.
- Martin Pickel: An old-school jazz musician known for his swinging bass playing.
- Ursu Elizabeth Pickel: An author of twenty-five books, who is best known for her children’s books, “The Fox and the Wolf” and “The Whoomple Tree”.
- Peggy Pickel: A now retired psychologist and long-time adjunct professor at The University of North Texas.