Surname Heckl - Meaning and Origin
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Heckl: What does the surname Heckl mean?
The last name Heckl is a German family name stemming primarily from Bavaria. It is derived from the German word "Höckl" which can be translated to mean "hook" or "crook." In its earliest forms, the surname was likely given to a person as a nickname that referenced their resemblance to a hook or crook.
Throughout Bavarian history, the Heckl family have been farmers and laborers, engaging in various trades and professions. Over the centuries, the family has spread throughout Bavaria and beyond. Today, those bearing the Heckl surname are found primarily in Germany, Austria, and the United States.
Those with the Heckl surname can trace their ancestry back to an ancestral family tree developed in the 19th century. This family tree reveals an ancestral line of sons and daughters of Paulus Heckl dating back to the parish of Langlau basalt in the Diocese of Augsburg and the Silesian province.
The Heckl surname also has a line of descendants who emigrated to America in 1709 from Meissenhall, Bavaria, settling in Pennsylvania. These new arrivals quickly established farms and became part of the community. Today, many descendants of these original settlers still reside in Pennsylvania.
Overall, the Heckl family name has a long-standing and celebrated history in Bavaria and beyond. A strong sense of family and community is reflected in its members, who remain proud of their roots and their rich heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisHeckl: Where does the name Heckl come from?
The last name Heckl is most commonly found in Germany and the German-speaking regions of Austria and Switzerland today. It is a fairly rare name, making up less than 0.001% of the population in each of these countries. It is also a relatively new surname, having been in existence in its current form for only about 200 years.
The origin of the name is not conclusively known, however it is thought to be derived from the Middle High German word "hekel" or the Old German word "hekele", both of which mean "fence" or "enclosure". It is possible that the original bearer of the Heckl surname was someone who lived near or worked with fences, or had taken up the job of a fencer.
The highest concentration of people with the Heckl surname is found in and around the city of Munich in Bavaria. There are also a few families living in the Rhineland-Palatinate, Berlin and Hamburg. Over the years, some members of the Heckl family have emigrated to the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other parts of the world.
Despite its rarity, the last name Heckl is not extinct yet. Families with the Heckl surname can still be found in parts of Germany and other parts of the world - a testament to its ability to endure despite the centuries.
Variations of the surname Heckl
The surname Heckl is a variant of the German surname Heckel, which is popularly found in the territories of Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and other parts of Europe. The variants of this surname include Hecke, Heckel, Heckelman, Heckal, Heckel, Heckle, Heckman, Hekal, Hekel, Hekle, and Hekman.
The Heckel spelling is often found in Austria, and the Heckmann spelling often found in Germany. The Heckelman spelling is popular in the Czech Republic, and the Heckle spelling is most common in Slovakia.
The surnames are derived from the Middle High German word "hekel" which was a tool used in weaving and needlework. It is believed by some that the surname was given to people who worked in this industry as craftsmen. Others believe that the name likely arrived in German-speaking territories from other parts of Europe alongside Jewish immigrants.
Due to the intricacies of the German language, the spelling and pronunciation of the surname is often altered. Even within the same family, one person may have the spelling Heckel, and another may have Hekle. Thus, the name has become splintered over time.
In some countries, the surname has been shortened to Heck or Hecken in an attempt to simplify the spelling within forms and documents. But this has resulted in yet another variant of the surname.
Regardless of spelling, the surnames are all of the same origin and still intuitively recognizable within the German-speaking world.
Famous people with the name Heckl
- John Heckl: Politician from New York
- Sue Heckl: Country music singer
- Jesse Heckl: American novelist
- Andrew Heckl: Army veteran and philanthropist
- Harry Heckl: Businessman from Wisconsin
- Martha Heckl: Actress from California
- Jody Heckl: Canadian ice hockey player
- Bill Heckl: Jazz guitarist
- Kyle Heckl: Professional cyclist
- Scarlett Heckl: Model and actress
- Wilma Heckl: Visual artist from Norway
- Norman Heckl: Football coach from England
- Roger Heckl: Jazz saxophonist from Texas
- Frank Heckl: Poet from Germany
- Tyler Heckl: American basketball player
- Brenda Heckl: Professional dancer from Florida
- Bob Heckl: Competitive surfer from Japan
- Nancy Heckl: Weightlifter from France
- Gisela Heckl: Maker of decorative soaps and candles from South Africa
- Paul Heckl: Former professor and political activist from Arizona