Surname Häckel - Meaning and Origin
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Häckel: What does the surname Häckel mean?
The surname Häckel is of German origin, derived from a given name like “Heckel”, a diminutive of “Heinrich”. It is believed to have first been used by a family living in the Middle Rhine Valley, adjacent to the County of Hesse, during the Middle Ages. It was likely first a patronymic surname, meaning “son of Heckel”.
The surname Häckel became more prominent in German history during the 19th century with the birth of Ernst Haeckel, one of the founders of modern ecology, zoology and evolutionary biology. Born in 1834 in Potsdam, Haeckel is remembered for his pioneering photographs and illustrations of the world of the sea and of microscopic organisms, among other accomplishments. The name was likely passed onto other family members as well during this time.
Today, the family name Häckel continues to be used around the world, primarily in Germany and the countries of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. In these areas, it is used to refer to those descended from the progenitor of the Häckel family. The name also has some presence in the United States and other countries where German immigrants settled during the 19th century and first decades of the 20th century.
Order DNA origin analysisHäckel: Where does the name Häckel come from?
Häckel is a German surname, derived from the old Germanic personal name “Hagol”. The name is still found throughout Germany, Alsace, and Switzerland. It is particularly common in the German states of Bavaria, Baden-Wurttemberg, Saxony, Berlin, and Brandenburg, where it is among the 100 most frequent surnames in countries of Germanic origin. The German surname Häckel is also found in other areas of Europe, such as in Austria, where it is one of the 50 most common surnames.
In the United States, the name Häckel is most common in states with large German-American populations, such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The surname is not particularly common in other countries around the world, although it can be found among individuals of German ancestry in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The variants of the name Häckel have remained relatively unchanged over the centuries. Many people have adopted the spelling Geckle, Geekle, and Hackle to maintain the distinct German pronunciation of the name, while others have adopted the spelling Heckle.
In summary, the last name Häckel is still common today in countries of Germanic origin, particularly Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. The name is also most common in the United States among individuals of German ancestry, and less common in other countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Häckel
The surname Häckel is of Germanic origin and is derived from the word 'hackel' meaning a type of small axe. Variants of this surname include Hackle, Hackel, Heckle and Haeckle. Additional spellings of this surname include Haeckl, Hackl, Heckl, Hackelmann, Heckelmann, Haeckmann, Hackmann and Heckmann.
This surname has many bearers, including several notable historical figures. The most famous of these is Ernst Haekel, a German biologist, naturalist and philosopher who coined the term 'ecology'. Other famous people with this surname include Austrian psychiatrist and neurologist Joseph Haeckl; Austrian-born American sculptor Ignaz Haeckl; German physicist and geologist Wilhelm Haeckl; and German nationalist and educator Friedrich Haeckl.
In 1900, Häckel was the 167th most common surname in Germany. Today, it is still found throughout Germany and is also found in Austria, Switzerland and other countries in Central Europe. In the United States, the surname is most common among German Americans, with the largest concentrations in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York.
Famous people with the name Häckel
- Ernst Haeckel: Ernst Haeckel was a German scientist, naturalist, philosopher, physician, professor, marine biologist, and artist, who lived in the 19th and early 20th centuries. He is best known for his work in zoology and evolutionary biology, most notably his book ‘Kunstformen der Natur’ (Art Forms in Nature), as well as his advocacy of a monistic, materialistic worldview.
- Hermann Haeckel: Hermann Haeckel was a German zoologist, naturalist, and philosopher. He was a founder of ecology and also a major proponent of the idea of “survival of the fittest”: the foundation of the modern evolutionary theory. He is sometimes regarded as the ‘father’ of modern ecology.
- Ulrich Haeckel: Ulrich Haeckel was a German scientific researcher, crossing between paleontology, evolutionary biology, and ecology. His research included work on fossilized dinosaurs, and a popular book on evolutionary biology.
- Jonathan Haeckel: Jonathan Haeckel is a German neuroscientist, who has been researching the development of the eye in evolution. He is currently a professor at the University of Tübingen, where his research combines molecular biology and evolutionary biology with quantitative genetic approach.
- Moeller Haeckel: Moeller Haeckel was a German naval architect, best known for his role in the development of the first aircraft carriers. During his career, he improved the design of many ships, and was an adviser to Kaiser Wilhelm II.