Surname Traxel - Meaning and Origin
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Traxel: What does the surname Traxel mean?
The last name Traxel is of German origin and its meaning is derived from the Old German word “trechel” which means “bastard” or “outcast”. Historically, the Traxel surname was often used to describe the children of unmarried or widowed parents. Over time, the negative connotations of the name have largely faded and today, the Traxel surname is seen primarily as a family surname in German-speaking countries.
The Traxel surname is most popularly associated with families from the Rhineland in southwestern Germany, from where the surname first spread to other parts of the German states and surrounding German-speaking countries. The Traxel surname is also common among southeastern and northeastern German families, as well as families that immigrated to the United States and Canada from Germany in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Traxel name continues to be found in records and genealogy trees throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and many other different countries. The Traxel coat of arms is characterized by two grey wolves holding a shield that is partitioned into four sections. It is one of the oldest and most enduring heraldry symbols within German culture.
Today, the Traxel surname is still in use throughout Europe and North America and is popularly associated with a strong family heritage and culture. As with any surname, each family carrying the name today will have a unique heritage and history that make it special.
Order DNA origin analysisTraxel: Where does the name Traxel come from?
The last name Traxel can be found most prevalently in Central Europe, particularly within Germany and Austria. However, due to the migrations of people throughout Europe, it can also be found in many other European nations such as France, Switzerland, Italy, the Czech Republic, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Poland. In addition, Traxel is also found in the United States, with the highest concentrations being in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.
The last name Traxel can be traced back to Medieval Germany, where it was taken from the Old Germanic name "Trahsala". The roots of the name come from an ancient Germanic expression of respect, which translates into “Dignified”. It is believed that the original bearer of the name traveled across Central Europe and became known as "Traxel". From then on, the name was passed down from generation to generation.
Today, the last name Traxel is also found in many other regions such as South America (in countries such as Brazil and Argentina), Southeast Asia, Australia, and Canada. In all instances, those bearing the name mostly trace their family histories back to Germany or Austria.
Variations of the surname Traxel
The surname Traxel is likely a variation of the surname Trachsel, a Germanic surname. It is also spelled Traxler, Traksler, Trachsel, Tracksel and Tracksler, among other variations.
In the United States, the surname Traxel is most commonly found in the Midwest region, where many German immigrants settled early in the nation's history. It is likely that the spelling and pronunciation of the surname changed as the immigrants moved, resulting in various spellings across the region.
In German, the letter X is often a substitution for the letter C, so the spelling of the surname changed in many variations, with Traxel becoming one of the variants over time. For example, the German spelling of Trachsel becomes Traxel with the change.
The surname Traxel can also be traced back to the Swabian-Alemannic Trachsel-Trexler family, which is a very old family in the region. This family is documented as far back as the late 15th century in southern Germany and the nearby region of Switzerland.
In addition, Traxel can also be found in records in the Palatinate area of Germany, as well as records in more modern times in the United States. The surname Traxel, as well as all of its variants, likely all come from the same origin.
Famous people with the name Traxel
- Ben Traxel: American film director, editor, and actor known for his work in the 2018 movie, The Endless.
- Johannes Traxel: German entrepreneur and former World Superbike rider.
- Kelly Traxel: American actress, writer, and director, known for her work in projects such as Star Trek: Discovery and The Good Fight.
- Robert Traxel: German classical violinist who is currently the principal concertmaster of the Southwest German Philharmonic Orchestra.
- Sabine Traxel: German physicist who has made significant contributions to the field of biophysics, especially in the area of protein-ligand interactions.
- David Traxel: American author and historian best known for his books, 'City of Dreams: The 400-Year Epic History of Immigrant New York' and 'The Complete Guide to the American Revolution: A Comprehensive Study of the Struggle for Independence, 1763-1787'.
- Mark Traxel: American writer, actor, and producer, known for his work on Rob the Mob, The Big Short and The Wolf of Wall Street.
- Sheila Traxel: American author, translator and philanthropist whose works focus on women’s issues and promoting gender equality in India and Myanmar.
- Michael Traxel: American ice hockey player who played professionally for teams such as the Washington Capitals and the Los Angeles Kings.
- Andrew Traxel: American businessman and philanthropist, who is the former chair of The Stars Foundation and a board member of the Culinary Institute of America.