Surname Prinzl - Meaning and Origin
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Prinzl: What does the surname Prinzl mean?
The last name Prinzl is a Germanic surname derived from the Middle High German word ‘prinz’, meaning ‘prince’. The name likely refers to a person of noble rank or lineage, or someone who held a princely title, likely of the independent princes that ruled in the Middle Ages. It is possible, however, that the name may have referred to an individual who was simply considered to have an air of prince-like nobility.
In the 19th century, this surname began to be found in both Germany and Austria, with emigration to the United States following shortly thereafter. The name can also be found today in various other countries in Europe, as well as North and South America.
Throughout history, the surname Prinzl has been associated with wealth and prestige, though its prevalence has decreased over time. It remains relatively rare, however, and those bearing this surname tend to be respected members of their community.
Overall, the Prinzl surname is a distinctive one, not only because of its aristocratic sound, but also due to its long history and the story it can tell about those who were lucky enough to have it.
Order DNA origin analysisPrinzl: Where does the name Prinzl come from?
The last name Prinzl is common primarily in central Europe, particularly in the countries of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. It is also found in several countries of the former Austrian-Hungarian Empire, particularly Poland and Hungary.
The meaning of the last name Prinzl is unknown, however, many believe it may be derived from a common central-European occupational name meaning “weaver” or “clothmaker”. The less commonly accepted theory is that the name is derived from the Middle High German term “prinz” (prince) since a lot of Prussian families may have claimed noble origin.
Given its origin in central Europe, the Prinzl surname is a frequent surname in Germany today. The most densely populated areas include the administrative districts of Oberbayern (Upper Bavaria), Unterfranken (Lower Franconia), Mittelfranken (Middle Franconia) and Oberfranken (Upper Franconia). Genetic testing suggests that the ancestral home of Prinzl families may have been in the greater Franconian region near the cities of Bamberg, Hofheim, and Tatschwitz.
In Austria the last name Prinzl is mostly concentrated in the Tyrol region located in the western portion of the country, particularly the rural region of Schwarzachtal. A quick surname search indicates that individuals with the last name Prinzl are also distributed in other parts of Austria, including Vienna and the districts of Vortlinde, Burgenland, and Salzburg.
In the last half a century, the Prinzl surname has also become popular in other countries, especially North America, due to immigration and relocation of family members. Emigrant Prinzls can now be found all around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and South America.
Variations of the surname Prinzl
The surname Prinzl has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The surname Prinzl is derived from the German language and it is most commonly found in Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic. The variants and spellings include: Prinze, Prinzel, Prinzell, Prinzehl, Prinzill, Prinzle, and Prinzler.
The surname Prinzl is also a variant of the Germanic name Bingel, which was believed to have been derived from the Old German “bing” meaning a beech tree. Hence, Bingel may also have been an occupational name for someone who worked in a beech forest. Bingel is usually spelled as Benzel, Benzil, Benzill, Benzie, Benzeler, Benzler, Binzel, Binzell, Binzill and other variant spellings.
Other surnames of the same origin include Prins, Prinsen, Prinz, Prinzel, and Prindle. The variants and spellings in this case are Prins, Prinsen, Prinz, Prinzel, Prindle, Prinst, Prints, Prinzling, Prens, Prensen, Prents, Prenzel and Prenzell.
The Prinzi surname is also of Italian origin. It could be a variant spelling of the Italian Grecucci, which is derived from the Latin term “grex” meaning flock or crowd. The variant spellings and surnames for Grecucci are Grecucci, Grecuzzi, Grecuzzo, Greco, Grecozzi, Grecul, Greculi, Greculo, and Grecucci Lleo.
The Prinzl surname is likely to be encountered in many countries, with variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Knowing the variations can help in research projects and genealogical inquiries.
Famous people with the name Prinzl
- Jorg Prinzl, German physicist and engineer.
- Fred Prinzl, Canadian musician and producer.
- Thomas Prinzl, German mathematical physicist, specializing in statistical mechanics.
- Tobias Prinzl, Austrian film director, producer, writer and cinematographer.
- Dusan Prinzl, Slovenian writer and artist.
- Pavel Prinzl, Czech actor, singer and former professional basketball player.
- Otto Prinzl, German race car driver and motor racing engineer.
- Dolf Prinzl, American artist, writer, composer and designer.
- Timon Prinzl, German artist who works with painting, installation, video and photography.
- Sandor Prinzl, Hungarian Conductor and Music Director of the Győr Philharmonic Orchestra.