Surname von Engel - Meaning and Origin
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von Engel: What does the surname von Engel mean?
The last name von Engel is a German surname. It is derived from the German word "Engel," which means "angel." The name is thought to have been given to an ancestor who held the position of a messenger for a noble family, or perhaps as a nickname to someone who had divine or angelic qualities.
Various versions of this surname exist, such as von Engles, von Engl, Engle, Engels, Engles, Engl, and Englisch. It can also be found in various locations throughout Europe, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, as well as in other countries around the world.
The von Engel surname has been associated with members of the German nobility since the Middle Ages. Records indicate that many of them held positions of authority in their respective states. By the 19th century, the von Engel family included many prominent members of German society, such as writers, scientists, and businessmen.
As a surname, von Engel is a reminder of the noble character and accomplishments of its past owners and their ancestors. It is a reminder of a proud generational legacy that is still alive today.
Order DNA origin analysisvon Engel: Where does the name von Engel come from?
The last name von Engel is most commonly found today in Germany. The family name is derived from the German personal name Engel or Angel, which literally means "Angel" in English. It is a rather old and distinguished surname that originated during the middle ages, and since the early 17th century, it has become hereditary and assumed by many families throughout western Europe.
The von Engel surname is particularly common in the southern German regions of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Saxony, as well as in the Netherlands, Austria, and the Czech Republic. As far as the United States is concerned, von Engel is relatively uncommon compared to other European family names. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, only 1,050 people with the von Engel name were accounted for. However, the frequency may rise in the next few years as more families with European descent begin to inhabit the United States.
In Germany, people with the von Engel name have made remarkable contributions to their country’s history and society. One of the most notable members of the von Engel lineage is Wilhelm von Engel, who is known for the development of the eponymous von Engel Scheme in 1870, a technique that has been used to reform German education. Other prominent family members include Karl von Engel, a botanist, and Baron Wilhelm von Engel, an admiral, who is credited with developing the world’s first mine defense mechanisms.
To summarize, the last name von Engel is quite common today in Germany, as well as other parts of western Europe, though it is not as widespread in the United States. People with the von Engel name have made remarkable contributions to German history and society.
Variations of the surname von Engel
The surname von Engel is a German noble surname which reflects the roots of the noble family originating from the medieval given name Engel. Some variations of the surname von Engel include Van Engel, Vander Engel, Von Engle, and Engel. Other variants of the surname include such as Anghel, Engbel, Enkel, Enkul, Engeler, Engelman, and Engelson.
As the family spread beyond its German roots, surnames of other countries have adopted slight variations of von Engel, like Engwell, Angui, Anguell, Engström, Engelmie, Zenkel, and Englkonen.
The surname von Engel also appears in other forms, such as von Engeline and von Engeln. These are more formal forms reserved for members of royal families and often used by holders of titles of nobility, such as the German imperial nobility.
The change in spelling and pronunciation of von Engel is normal in different cultures and countries. For instance, in France and Italian the "v" would most likely be changed to an "f." The final "e" in von Engel is usually dropped. In Spain and Portugal, the surname would appear as Anguil.
The surname van Engel appears in Scotland where it is a variant of Englisch, and in The Netherlands where it is a variant of van Engelen. There is also a variant of the surname van Engelen found in Dutch-speaking Belgian families, and the Czech variants of Vanengell and Vanengel.
No matter what country, culture or variant the surname takes, it ultimately traces back to the progenitor of the noble von Engel family in Germany centuries ago.
Famous people with the name von Engel
- Berthold von Engel: He was a Prussian general and an Imperial German field marshal who served during the Second Bankier War.
- Hans von Engel: A German politician who served in the Imperial Parliament from 1912 until 1920.
- John L. von Engel: A Slovenian-born American businessman who is regarded as the father of modern industrial research and development.
- Rudolf Christoph von Engel: A German literature and art historian who is especially known for his works on the history of contemporary art.
- Anton Henry von Engel: A German painter and professor of art in Düsseldorf who was a student of the famous artist Hans von Engel.
- Christian von Engel: A German architect, set designer, and scenographer who helped create the modern German theater and was a member of the influential Bauhaus school of design.
- Günther von Engel: A prominent Nazi who was the state secretary of the Reich Ministry of Justice, and later served as a special envoy from German Chancellor Adolf Hitler in Czechoslovakia.
- Kurt von Engel: A Nazi SS Brigadier-General who served as the commander of the Schutzstaffel in Gdynia.
- Norbert von Engel: A German accountant and business executive who was the first managing director of Henkel AG.
- Willem van Engel: A Dutch legal mind from the 17th century and a leading figure in the process of Dutch codification of criminal law.