Surname Tinkel - Meaning and Origin

Tinkel: What does the surname Tinkel mean?

The last name Tinkel is a Jewish surname derived from the Yiddish word “tinkle”, which means “default” or “stubbornness.” The original bearer of the name likely had a stubborn or contentious personality, and was likely a shrewd negotiator and a tough adversary in business dealings.

The surname is most commonly found in countries with a significant Jewish population, such as the United States and Israel. It is also found in certain parts of Germany, Russia, and Eastern Europe, where many Jewish families once lived and now have members living in different parts of the world.

The language of origin for this surname is likely German. This is because the root word of the Yiddish “tinkle” is "tinken,” which is German for “contest” or “contradict.”

Tinkel is an uncommon Jewish name, particularly outside of Jewish communities. It is a unique name, and as such, families who bear the name are often proud of their heritage. While the origin of the name may be rooted in stubbornness, those who bear it today may not necessarily have that same characteristic. In the end, the name Tinkel is a reflection of its proud Jewish roots.

Tinkel: Where does the name Tinkel come from?

The surname Tinkel is not especially common in any one region or country today. It is most likely of German origin, although records show it has been documented in Netherlands, Poland, France, England, and the United States. In the United States it can be found most frequently in Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio. It is even present in states like Vermont and Tennessee that are less traditionally associated with German surnames.

Appearing in rare instances over the past 200 years, the surname Tinkel has been found in records dating back to the 1500s in Europe, most often associated with religious figures and scholars. Many variations of the name, including Tinckel/Tynckel/Tincl/Tinkler/Tinckler/Tinkle and more have been noted as well.

The surname appears to be popularly associated with the “cartwheel hat” which is said to have been a common style of hat in Germany during the Renaissance period. It is not certain how the surname Tinkel and the hat came to be connected, but the hat is often called a “Tinkelhut” in German.

The surname Tinkel continues to survive in various forms today. Its popularity throughout the world and in many different countries offers token of its veritable historic presence.

Variations of the surname Tinkel

Tinkel is a Dutch surname that originates from the Middle Dutch word "tinkle", which means "build". The variants and misspellings of the name vary depending on the region and country in which it is found, but some of the more commonly known variations include Tenkel, Tenkle, Tyndall, Tink and Tinckel.

In Germany, the name is spelled Tinckel, while in other parts of Europe it takes a more Anglicised form with Tenkel or Tinkel. Similarly, in the Netherlands and Flanders, the name is often written as Tenkle. In Scotland, the pronunciation of the name is different and is spelled Tyndall.

The surname is also a patronymic, with various derived surnames including Tinkler, Tincker, Tinkell, Tenkell, Tentellen, Tenklers, Tinkelmans, Tetting, Tettingh, Tenkleman, Tecklenberg and Tinkels. These alternate versions are mainly found in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, but they can also be found in parts of Scandinavia and the United Kingdom.

It is also worth noting that the surname Tinkel is sometimes combined with other surnames to form a hyphenated surname - the best example of this being the surname "Tinkel-Tenzin". This double-barrelled name originated in North East India, where it is a common name among the Moktan community.

Famous people with the name Tinkel

• Rosalie Tinkel: Rosalie Tinkel is a Dutch fashion designer who established her own clothing line in 1987. She is known for creating stylish and innovative modern designs with a focus on sustainability and environmental protection.
• Lucia Tinkel: Lucia Tinkel is an acclaimed American artist who grew up in the Midwest and has exhibited her work in galleries across the country. She is best known for her vivid oil paintings which often portray nature in greatest detail.
• Gustav Tinkel: Gustav Tinkel is a German-born physicist who made important contributions to the development of quantum mechanics in the early 20th century.
• Lawrence Tinkel: Lawrence Tinkel is an American lawyer and civil rights activist who became an influential leader within the American Civil Rights Movement.
• Jeff Tinkel: Jeff Tinkel is a musician from the United States who is known for his raw, emotive, and inventive jazz compositions.
• Rory Tinkel: Rory Tinkel is a professional tennis player from Australia who has competed in the Grand Slam tournaments and reached a high ranking of 34th in the ATP World Tour rankings.
• Siobhan Tinkel: Siobhan Tinkel is an award-winning filmmaker who has made several documentaries about women in politics.
• Nathanael Tinkel: Nathanael Tinkel is an entrepreneur from the United States who has founded several successful startups including the social-challenge app Squabble.
• Jonny Tinkel: Jonny Tinkel is an American actor who starred in the Western television series "Gunsmoke" and "Wagon Train".
• August Tinkel: August Tinkel was an Austrian pianist and composer who composed the musical score to "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen".

Other surnames

TinkenTinker