Surname Stöckli - Meaning and Origin
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read moreStöckli: What does the surname Stöckli mean?
The last name Stöckli is a German-Swiss surname that originated in the Middle Ages when it was used to describe someone who lived or worked at a distance from their settlement. It is derived from a Middle High German word meaning a "stake". This suggests that the bearer of this name was either a guard, watchmen, or a stock owner.
The name has a brief recorded history, with its first known use in Switzerland dated to the year 1248. In the following centuries, the Stöckli family spread across central Switzerland, with many records of land purchases and leases of farmland.
The Stöckli name was also carried to other parts of Europe by Swiss settlers who moved overseas in the 18th century. This included France, Germany, and the United States. The name was later taken to Australia and New Zealand by migrants from these countries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Today, the Stöckli name is still used widely throughout Europe, particularly within Switzerland and Germany, as well as in the United States. It is one of the many popular Swiss surnames, possessing strong cultural ties to Switzerland which remain to this day.
Order DNA origin analysisStöckli: Where does the name Stöckli come from?
The last name Stöckli is most common in Switzerland today. It is mainly found in the German and Swiss-German-speaking cantons of Switzerland, especially in the cantons of Bern, Basel-Landschaft, Aargau, Solothurn, and Zürich. According to Swiss Family Names, the last name Stöckli traces its origin to the Middle High German word “stöckel,” meaning “post,” “stake,” or “piton.”
The origin of the surname likely goes back to the 12th century, when many immigrants traveled throughout the region. During this time, some people used place and occupational names to distinguish themselves and their families. It is possible that Stöckli was used to refer to someone who built wooden stakes or posts, as well as someone who lived near a post or stake.
Today, people with the last name Stöckli are known to be of German-speaking or Swiss-German ancestry. It can also be found in French-speaking Switzerland, where it is typically spelled “Stockly.” The given name is much rarer in other parts of the world, although it can occasionally be found in Germany, Austria, the United States, Canada, and other countries.
Overall, the last name Stöckli is most prominent in Switzerland, where it is used mainly by German-speaking people. The origin of the surname dates back many centuries, but its meaning remains largely unknown. This surname continues to be a part of Swiss culture today and is a testament to the country’s diverse past.
Variations of the surname Stöckli
The surname Stöckli is a Swiss German surname derived from the word "Stöck", meaning "stump". It is a topographical name for someone who lived near a stump. The surname is present throughout Switzerland, although it is especially common in Bern and Zurich.
Variants and alternate spellings of the surname Stöckli include Stockle, Stockli, Stockly, and Stöckel. The variation Stockinger is found in Austria, and Steckle, Steckly, and Stickli can be found in southern Germany.
Some alternative surnames of the same origin include: Steck, Stocker, Stockmann, Stöckl, and Stöckler. The surnames Utschig, Utecht, and Utechtig are also all derived from the same root. Artist Johannes Utecht signed his work as "Johannes Stöckli”.
Additionally, Stöckle and Stöcklin are derived from Swiss German diminutives of "Stöck", and Stöckli could also be derived from an occupational name designating someone who worked as a joiner or carpenter, from the Middle High German word “stöckere” meaning "to plane and join."
The name has been documented in records dating back to the 14th century. In the modern day, it is estimated that about 60,000 individuals living throughout the world have the surname Stöckli.
Famous people with the name Stöckli
- Andreas Stöckli: Former alpine skier from Switzerland who competed in four Winter Olympics, winning three gold medals in slalom.
- Sven Stöckli: Swiss tennis player who was ranked number 5 in singles in his country.
- Stefan Stöckli: Swiss ski mountaineer who was the World Ski Mountaineering Champion in 2011.
- Sabrina Stöckli: Swiss inline speed skater who won three CISM World Championship titles.
- Nicole Stöckli: Swiss former alpine ski racer who won a bronze medal in the combined event at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
- Martina Stöckli: Swiss mountain bike racer who won three bronze medals in the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships.
- Michael Stöckli: Swiss businessman and former track and field athlete who was European Champion in the Triple Jump and ranked top 30 in the world.
- Jürg Stöckli: Swiss publisher and author who regularly interviews people in politics, culture and economics.
- Jean-Christoph Stöckli: Swiss goalkeeper who represented Switzerland in the Olympics and is currently playing in the Swiss National League.
- André Stöckli: Swiss road cyclist who won two stages of the Tour of Austria and since his retirement in 2007 he has worked as a sports manager and amateur team leader.