Surname Birchel - Meaning and Origin

Birchel: What does the surname Birchel mean?

The last name Birchel is of German origin and is thought to originate from the Middle High German word “berchtal” which means “little birch wood”. It is thought to have been used as a topographic surname, originally given to someone who lived close to a birch tree or in a birch wood. As part of the wider Germanic surname tradition, it may have been given to a person of high status in a birch wood, or to a person who lived near one.

The surname Birchel is most common in West Germany but is also present in other parts of Germany including Bavaria, Saxony and the Hesse region. It has spread across the world with its popularity particularly high in America.

The birch tree loves damp soil and therefore it is thought the name could denote someone who lived near a river or lake. The birch tree is a symbol of protection, wisdom and purification and this might explain why it was used as a surname.

In Old English the birch tree was known as the ‘Lady of the Woods’ and it is thought that many of the early people to take the surname Birchel appreciated the spiritual and protective qualities of the tree. It is an ancient and strong name that still resonates today.

Birchel: Where does the name Birchel come from?

The last name Birchel is most commonly found in Germany. It is believed to be a locational name, derived from various locations around the country. The majority of places named "Birchel" or "Birchell" are located in the states of Thuringia, Bavaria, and Saxony, with several other small cities throughout Germany also sharing the name. It is thought to come from either Old High German "beroh," meaning "clearing," or "Berch," meaning "birch," likely evoking a birch grove that once existed near the settlement.

The name has spread outside of Germany, with variants like Birchell having been found in the Netherlands, England, and Scotland to name a few. It is also present in the United States, with various estimates of the number of Birchels in the US ranging from 350 to over 4,000. The most recent census found the most heavily populated states for the name to be New York, Virginia, and Ohio, suggesting that the name likely found its way to the US during the 19th century immigration waves.

In some cases, the surname is spelled differently from its original German form, with other variants such as Burghell, Burchill, and Birchill having been found in the United States and Northern Ireland. This suggests that many of those with the name adopted it after settling in a new country.

Overall, the last name Birchel is a relatively widespread one that has origins in Germany. It has since spread to many other parts of the world, including the United States, suggesting a long history of migration for the name.

Variations of the surname Birchel

The surname Birchel is a patronymic surname derived from names beginning with the Germanic personal name Bert (or similar) meaning "bright". Birchel is a common variant spelling of Birchall, also a patronymic surname derived from the same root.

Variations and spellings of Birchel include Bircle, Burchall, Bircell, Bircle, Burchill, and Berchill.

Surnames of the same origin as Birchel also include Bertsch, Burchell, Berschel, Birkes, Berkey, Burkey, Birks, and Berk.

Many of these surnames were popular in the Middle Ages and they were used to identify people by an established style of surname. This surname was commonly spelt and pronounced differently by various groups of people living in the Middle Ages.

The spelling of this surname has changed over time, so it's possible to find variations and variants in records even within the same family or originating area. For example, in the United Kingdom in the 19th century, Birchel appeared as Bircle, Berchill, Burchill, Burchall, Birks, and Berkey.

The surname Birchel is also, in some cases, a variant of the surname Bürgele, which itself is derived from the Germanic personal name Bürgel or Bürgelin. Variations and spellings for this surname include Bergele, Birgel, Bürgele, Bürgel, and Birgelin.

In the United States, the surname Birchel has been used to identify people in records since the 1800s, although it is more common to find the variant Burchill.

Famous people with the name Birchel

• Allen Birchel: Allen Birchel is an American football player who currently plays for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL).
• Robert Birchel: Robert Birchel was an American Revolutionary War soldier who served in the Massachusetts militia during the Siege of Boston.
• Luke Birchel: Luke Birchel is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA.
• David Birchel: David Birchel is an American businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder of Birchel Enterprises, a real estate investment company.
• John Birchel: John Birchel is an Emmy-award winning American author and journalist. He is best known for his international journalism, having written extensively for The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times.
• Sarah Birchel: Sarah Birchel is a British-American actress best known for her roles in films such as The Girl on the Train and TV series such as The Bridge.
• Ann Birchel: Ann Birchel was an American nurse who served in the Civil War and was later awarded the Medal of Honor for her heroism in battle.
• Katherine Birchel: Katherine Birchel is an American editor and producer. She is currently the President of Production for Birchel Films, a film production company.
• Stephen Birchel: Stephen Birchel is an American actor known for his roles in films and television shows such as The Voice, The Good Wife and Parenthood.
• Juliet Birchel: Juliet Birchel is an American singer and songwriter best known for her hit singles, "Gotta Go My Own Way" and "So Good".

Other surnames

BirchBirchenederBircherBirchettBirchetteBirchner