Surname Fränkl - Meaning and Origin
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Fränkl: What does the surname Fränkl mean?
The surname Fränkl is of German origin and suggests that its bearers once lived in the Franconia region of modern-day Germany. Franconia includes parts of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Thuringia states. The term 'Frankel' is derived from the old German given name 'Franco', which is derived from the medieval Frankish language. It means 'a free man' or 'a courageous warrior'.
The original meaning of the surname is indicative of the strong independence that was desired and prized by generations of German nobility. In those days, power was held not by kings or princes, but by family groups or clans, who owned and held property. Many of these family groups would choose a name to signify their distinct identity and be known as the 'Freiherr', which literally means 'free lord'.
The Frankel family name is most commonly found in Germany but is also prominent in some Jewish communities in Europe. At the start of the 20th Century, it was a common name in Poland, as well as a few other countries in Europe. It has been suggested that some Jewish families adopted the Frankel surname to try to avoid persecution during times of great upheaval.
Today, the name is still widely used in Germany and non-Jewish origin is considered to be most common for this name. The Frankel name is most likely to be used by those of Bavarian or Alemannic descent.
Order DNA origin analysisFränkl: Where does the name Fränkl come from?
The last name Fränkl is most commonly found in today's Germany and parts of Austria. The family originated in the late 18th century in the city of Neisse, Silesia which is now known as Nysa, Poland. As a result of changes in borders, many members of the Fränkl family moved to different parts of Germany during the twentieth century and the name can now also be found in cities such as Berlin, Düsseldorf, Munich, and Hamburg.
In 2003, several members of the Fränkl family came together to create the Fränkl Family Association in Frankfurt, Germany. They sought to research the family’s heritage and history, strengthen their family bonds, and create a network of individuals associated with the name. Their efforts have resulted in an online profile and database which document the renowned family's descendants.
Within German society, variations of the Fränkl surname can often be found in written accounts of notable contributors to society and culture, such as in business and the arts. The most popular artists to bear the name include the philosopher Kurt Fränkl and the actor Nicholas Fränkl.
It is clear that the Fränkl family has not only endured the test of time, but has also continues to have an impact on modern society. The Fränkl family's history and contributions will continue to be shared for many years to come.
Variations of the surname Fränkl
The surname Fränkl is a German, Austrian and Jewish surname, with variants including Frankel, Franckl, Franckle, Fränkle, Fränkl, Frängel, Frenkel, Frantzl, and Franke. It is believed to originate from the middle High German word “vranke”, meaning “tough”, a nickname for a brave, courageous person. Examples of Jewish variants, commonly found in Eastern Europe, include Freedman, Freed, Frank, Frankl, Franken, Frankelstein, and Frankland. In Germany the surname is often found spelled as Franke, while in Austria, it is more common to find it spelled as Frankel or Fränkel.
The crushed syllables and spelling variations, as well as various combinations of the letters, give us a glimpse into the mutations of this surname through the centuries, but also underscore a shared history that binds people who hail from the same geographic origins - nativs or migrants alike - under one banner of hardened identity.
Other related surnames are Francki, Fronke, Frankamp, Franki, Froncken, Frankunas, Fronkey, Franckewitz, and Frankelman.
Surnames like Frankel, Fränkl, and Franki are interchangeable between the different language dialects. They each signify the proud heritage in which they come from, and speak to the diversity of cultures within a single language. In addition to being seen as a unified lineage, the different spellings also highlight the regional and/or country of origin for these families.
Finally, it is important to note that modern versions of this surname can resemble several other names (i.e. Franco, Frentz, Frentzel, etc.), as well as classic names (i.e. Franz, Francis, etc.), thereby adding a further layer of complexity to the history and origin of the Fränkl surname.
Famous people with the name Fränkl
- Franziska Fränkl: an German-born American actress and singer-songwriter.
- Daniela Fränkl: German television and film actress.
- Christof Fränkl: German bioinformatics researcher and professor at the University of Heidelberg.
- Richard Fränkl: German physician and professor at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.
- Günter Fränkl: German writer and former trade union official.
- Annemarie Fränkl: German musician and scientific researcher.
- Wolfgang Fränkl: German politician and Member of the German Bundestag.
- Helmut Fränkl: German physicist and professor at the RWTH Aachen University.
- Ernst Fränkl: Austrian politician and Member of the Austrian National Council.
- Johann Fränkl: Austrian painter and engraver from the 18th century.
- Viktor Fränkl: Austrian businessperson and former President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce.
- Alfred Fränkl: German musicologist and professor at the University of Frankfurt.
- Viktor Fränkel: 19th century Austrian engineer and inventor.
- Florian Fränkl: Austrian composer, pianist and organist.
- Bernard Fränkl: German-Austrian writer, journalist and film director.
- Michael Fränkl: German-born American composer and music professor.
- Maximilian Fränkl: German-born American musicologist and professor.
- Paul Fränkel: German neurologist and professor at the Free University of Berlin.
- Eduard Fränkel: Jewish philosopher and Talmudist of the 19th century.
- Gustav Fränkel: Austrian-born Israeli painter, sculptor and graphic artist.