Surname Spanhel - Meaning and Origin
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Spanhel: What does the surname Spanhel mean?
The last name Spanhel is a patronymic surname of German origin that comes from the given name Span, which in turn derives from the Old German term “spannen” meaning “to stretch or span”. Over time, this given name evolved to become Spanhel.
Surname histories suggest that Spanhel was a popular name among aristocrats due to its references to a great hunter or horseman. This belief may stem from the ancient Germanic legend of Siegfried the Dragon Slayer, whose shield was so large that it was said to span the entire sky.
The name Spanhel is spread across numerous countries around the world, primarily in Europe. During the 19th century, many people bearing this name left Germany for countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, thus accounting for the current global distribution of the surname.
The most prominent bearer of the last name Spanhel in recent times is US Army veteran and war hero Eli Spanhel. He served in World War II, distinguishing himself during the Battle of the Bulge and receiving the Bronze Star for bravery and heroic action. He later went on to establish the Eli Spanhel Foundation, which has done much to honor US veterans and their families.
Regardless of its origin, it's clear that the last name Spanhel carries with it a proud legacy of courage and honor that has been passed down from generation to generation. Today, the name still stands as a symbol of strength and resilience for those who bear it.
Order DNA origin analysisSpanhel: Where does the name Spanhel come from?
The last name Spanhel is most commonly seen today in countries like Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary, as well as Austria and Germany. This surname is of Germanic origin, and is derived from the name “Spahn”, meaning sparrow. Additionally, the “hel” in Spanhel may also be derived from the German term for helmet. The most common spelling of this surname is “Spanhel”, although variations and alternate spellings are also seen, such as Spahnle, Spahnel, Sphenel, and Spheneler.
Spanhel is a relatively rare surname today, and most likely it began as an occupational name, denoting a professional soldier. This was a common type of occupational surname in the Germanic regions, indicating a person who was employed as a mercenary or a soldier for hire. It is also possible that Spanhel may have referred to someone who wore a helmet, or even worked in a business that created helmets.
The name Spanhel is not especially common in the United States, however, it is believed that many immigrants with this last name arrived in the country during the 19th and 20th centuries. Currently, the highest concentration of the Spanhel surname is seen in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, followed by Austria, Germany, Poland and Hungary. Furthermore, over the past several generations, the spelling of this surname may have changed as individuals adopted different country of origin spellings.
Variations of the surname Spanhel
The surname Spanhel is a European name of Czech or Slovak origin, evidenced by its grammatical construction in Czech. It is likely derived from the Old Czech name “Přanhej” (“blessing”), but has seen various spellings over time. The most common variant is Španěl, which is used in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In Germany and Austria, it tends to be spelled Spanhel, while in the United States it is usually Americanized to Spanhell.
The name has also been recorded in Poland, Hungary and Russia as Španíl, Szpanel and Shpanil, respectively. In France, the name is often spelt as Espanglier, while it is also occasionally spelt as Spanhel or Spanhell in British records. In Latin America, it is typically seen as Espahol.
Other variant spellings for the surname Spanhel include Spanghel, Spienhel, Spännehel, spanhel and španhel.
In terms of surnames with the same origin, many are similar in construction to the Spanhel surname. These include Španík, Španělák, Španělovič, Španíček, Španělíček, Španělicka and Španíř. Similarly, Spanish surnames with the same origin include Espanglier, Espangliere and Espangliest.
Famous people with the name Spanhel
- Helen Spanhel, makeup entrepreneur
- Rachel Spanhel, professional dancer
- Kyle Spanhel, professional wrestler
- Emily Spanhel, author
- David Spanhel, musician
- Jake Spanhel, actor
- Vanessa Spanhel, fashion designer
- Aubrey Spanhel, bird-watching enthusiast
- Jillian Spanhel, chef
- Tony Spanhel, artist