Surname Henkels - Meaning and Origin
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Henkels: What does the surname Henkels mean?
The surname Henkels is of German origin and is thought to have derived from the personal name Henkel or Henechel. The name is believed to derive from the old German word 'hennil', which means brave or bold. It may have originally been given to someone with a courageous nature or may have been used as a nickname of an ancestor.
In the Middle Ages, last names were often derived from the trade or profession of an individual. In the case of the surname Henkels, it may have referred to someone who was an armorer or blacksmith, as the name Henechel is a derivative of Heinrich, which means "home-rule or ruler of the home". This implies that a person with the last name Henkels may have worked as an armorer or blacksmith in the past.
The Henkels surname is found throughout Europe, as it was spread by various migrations over the centuries. Today it is most common in Germany, where it is believed to have originated, but there are also substantial numbers of persons with the surname living in Switzerland, Austria, and the Netherlands.
The exact meaning and origin of the Henkels surname is uncertain, but it is almost certainly a derived from an ancient Germanic given name. It is most likely that it referred to someone who was a blacksmith or armorer in the past, though it could also refer to a brave or bold person. In any case, the Henkels surname has been connected to various families for hundreds of years and continues to be used today.
Order DNA origin analysisHenkels: Where does the name Henkels come from?
The last name Henkels is a relatively uncommon surname today, but it can be found in several countries throughout the world.
In the United States, the first known Henkels lived in Pennsylvania where the family had emigrated from Germany in the early 1700s. Since then, the surname has spread throughout the US, but is mainly concentrated in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio and Texas.
In Germany, it appears the family is largely concentrated in Hessen, Eifel and Saarland. The earliest recorded citizen with the name preceding the 1500s, with variants such as Henkel and Hendel also recorded in that time.
In the United Kingdom, it appears the surname is mostly found in Lancashire, Yorkshire and Hertfordshire. The Henkels family is believed to have originated from Germany in the eighteenth century, arriving in England mainly as a result of migration from North Antwerp.
In the Netherlands, Henkels is primarily found in South Holland, Noord Brabant and Limburg. The family first appeared in the 1500s, and is believed to have originated in Germany as with other variants of the name.
The surname Henkels is also found in various other countries such as Canada, Australia, and other parts of Europe. As it is a relatively uncommon surname, it is likely likely spread through the combination of emigration from Germany, or as part of wider migrations such as British emigration in the colonial era.
Variations of the surname Henkels
Henkels is a surname of German origin, which is derived from the word 'Henkel', meaning 'handle'. The variants, spellings and surnames of similar origin for Henkels include Henkel, Henkle, Henk, Hinkle, Henking, Heinckel, Heinkel, Honkel, Henkens, Henkles, Heinkle, Henken, Enkels, Henke, Henickls, Hankle, Hankles, Henkal and Henckel.
The Henkel and Henkle spellings can also be found with either a single or double 'n'. Hinkle and Henking are found most often in the United States. Heinckel could be a variant of the German names Heines and Heinicke. Heinkel and Honkel surnames are also from German, while Henkens comes from an alternative spelling of Henkels.
In Germany, the use of double consonants was common in many names, and Henkles is an example of this practice. Heinkle also has a German origin, while Henken is Dutch for “little Henkel.” Enkels is derived from German and Dutch, and Henke is a Dutch spelling variation of Henkels. Henickls is a distinctive German variation, while Hankle and Hankles are derived from a derivative of Henkels. Henkal and Henckel are variant spellings of the last name found in Germany.
All of the surnames and variants stemming from Henkels share the same German origin, but can vary greatly in spelling. The many spelling and linguistic variations of the name makes tracing roots challenging, but offers an opportunity to investigate the many nationalities and languages involved.
Famous people with the name Henkels
- Christian Henkels: Former German sprinter and triple jumper who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, GA.
- Sean Henkels: American college basketball player who formerly played for St. John's University.
- Kurt Henkels: German-American artist and educator known for his figurative paintings.
- Marcel Henkels: Dutch football manager and former defender who competed for the Netherlands national team in the 1970’s.
- Michael Henkels: German politician who served in the state parliament in North Rhine-Westphalia from 1993 to 2005.
- Selma Henkels: Austrian dancer and choreographer who founded the Graz Ballet in 1955.
- Lukas Henkels: Austrian ski-jumper who competed in the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.
- Eric Henkels: Professional bass-player of the progressive metal-band Zierler.
- Jesse Henkels: American chef and restaurateur, known for his popular steakhouse.
- Emmanuel Henkels: French sculptor and printmaker whose works are exhibited in galleries around the world.