Surname Sprengl - Meaning and Origin
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Sprengl: What does the surname Sprengl mean?
The last name Sprengl is of German origin and is believed to have derived from the Middle German word “Sprenge” meaning “to break or burst into”. This is thought to refer to people who engage in breaking something into pieces, such as a stone or rock which is used in construction or engineering work. The word is also thought to refer to someone who makes or repairs spinning wheels.
Variations of this last name include Sprengele, Sprenkel, and Sprenger. The name was adopted by many families who immigrated to the United States in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, bringing with them their German roots.
The Sprengl name has been associated with various building projects throughout history, with early settlers foundering a variety of jobs such as stone masons and carpenters. During World War II, the name was linked to those who contributed to the development of military technology, such as the U-boat (submarine) program. As such, the name Sprengl has come to conjure up images of strength, resilience and courage.
Today, the Sprengl name is a proud surname, with those who bear it taking pride in their German ancestry. As descendants of the same family, those carrying the Sprengl name are connected by a common thread that will continue to be passed down from generation to generation.
Order DNA origin analysisSprengl: Where does the name Sprengl come from?
The last name Sprengl is most commonly found in Germany today, although there are instances of the surname in other countries such as the United States, Canada, and Austria, as well as other regions in Europe. The surname was first documented in Germany in the 16th century, when Johann Sprengl migrated to the region from Flanders. It is believed that the name is derived from the Old High German "Sprenga" which likely meant "a spring of water."
In modern Germany, the last name Sprengl is relatively rare, with only an estimated 500 people in the country bearing the name. It is most commonly found in the Bavarian state, but also has a presence in the north of the country near Hamburg and in Berlin. It is also common in parts of Austria, such as the capital Vienna, as well as in Vienna's Lower Austria province.
Outside of Germany and Austria, the last name Sprengl is less common. It can be found in parts of the United States, particularly in Minnesota and Pennsylvania, while there are also small pockets of individuals bearing the surname in countries like Poland and the Netherlands. It is possible that the presence of the surname in those countries is due to German immigrants.
Variations of the surname Sprengl
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Sprengl include; Sprengel, Sprengle, Sprenger, Sprenger, Sprengeler, Sprengelmeier, Sprengmeir, Sprengmeier, Springel, Springeler, Springler, Springmeier, and Springmeyer.
The surname Sprengl originated from Old German pre 7th century elements 'springil', meaning 'jumping, or leaping', and a diminutive suffix of '-l', to describe the action of somebody who leapt or jumped around. It is related to 'spring' and was usually found in the middle high German 'springen', all of which refers to the action as well as to a device that acted like a catapult for hurling missiles.
Variations in spelling Sprengl can be attributed to a lack of literacy, and to the evolution of language. Regional dialects and accents, combined with spelling archaic spelling conventions, often led to the creation of new spellings for the same name. The modern surnames Sprengl and its variations are primarily found in the German states of Bavaria, Rhineland Palatinate and Nord Rhine Westfalia.
It is interesting to note that Sprengels/Sprengels are also found in Dutch records, which may indicate that a branch of the family migrated to the Netherlands during the 17th century.
In conclusion, the surname Sprengl and all its variants and spellings is a direct reference to somebody who was active or agile. This surname came about during the Middle Ages and has multiple different spellings, which all derive from the same origin.
Famous people with the name Sprengl
- Maria Sprengl, a German luger who competed in the 1976 Winter Olympics.
- Carl Sprengl, an Austrian writer and playwright.
- Brian Sprengl, an American baseball player, coach, manager and scout.
- Wolfgang Sprengl, a German politician and member of the Christian Democratic Union.
- John Sprengl, an American artist, wood carver, furniture maker and instructor.
- Paul Sprengl, a German composer, pianist, conductor and professor.
- Martin Sprengl, a German businessman and CEO of Vodafone Germany.
- Christian Sprengl, an Austrian automotive engineer and automotive executive.
- Andreas Sprengl, an Austrian footballer who plays for Erzgebirge-Aue.
- Arpad Sprengl, a renowned Hungarian-born American physicist and professor of electrodynamics at Duke University.