Surname Tränkel - Meaning and Origin
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Tränkel: What does the surname Tränkel mean?
The last name Tränkel is of German origin, and can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when surnames were first becoming established. It is thought to be derived from the Old German word tronn, which was used to describe a rodent burrow or small, enclosed cave. This symbolic meaning was likely given to families bearing the name because of the strong ties that early Tränkel families had with their local landscapes, which were often surrounded by burrows and caves.
Over time, the name Tränkel became a surname that conveyed the notion of being "protected" from outside forces, as the burrows and caves of the Earth provided refuge for those who sought it. As families bearing the name moved and established new settlements within Europe, the symbolic meaning behind the family name lived on, suggesting a need for protection and safety within the communities they moved to.
Today, the name Tränkel is still found throughout Germany, particularly in Bavaria, where the roots of the Tränkel family first began. It is also not uncommon for people bearing the name Tränkel to be found even as far away as South America and the United States, as people bearing the name have migrated to these foreign lands in search of better opportunities in life.
Order DNA origin analysisTränkel: Where does the name Tränkel come from?
Today, the last name Tränkel is most common in Germany. An estimation of the number of living people with the surname Tränkel ranges between 880 and 1,180 people. The largest concentration of Tränkels can be found in the region of Saxony-Anhalt, where roughly 70% of all Tränkels live. Other notable regional hotspots for Tränkel include Munich, Hamburg, Northern Bavaria, Frankonia and the Palatinate.
The surname is also found outside of Germany, most notably in Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Luxembourg. Across all countries, though, the overall number of Tränkels is still small, with even fewer outside of Germany.
Tränkel is an occupational surname, which means that its origins can be traced back to an ancestor with a profession concerning a trade or craft. One popular theory is that the surname could stem from an ancestor who served as a magistrate with a man-at-arms or other form of military force. This surname interpretation is also supported by the disregarding of past noble titles, as “Traenkell’ sentence” in what is known as the Code of Albert II of 1499.
Looking at the possible meanings of the surname, its abundance in Germany may be due to the significant presence of nobility and social hierarchy in eras prior to the 20th century. Overall, the exact origins of the surname remain unclear and there are still many certainties to its connection to different trades. However, that much is certain that Tränkel remains rare across the world, with Germany being the main centre today.
Variations of the surname Tränkel
Tränkel is a German surname derived from the Middle High German words 'trinkel' or 'tranckel' which mean 'trifle' or 'small item'. It is thought to have originated as a nickname for someone who was either small in stature or perhaps had a tendency to spend small amounts of money frivolously.
Variants of the surname Tränkel include Trankel, Traenkel, Traenkle, Trinkel, Trinkle, and Trinks. Spellings include Trenkel, Trankle, Trankels, Traenkel, Treenkel, and Traynkel. Surnames of the same origin include Traenkle and Traunkle.
Trankle is the most common variant of the Tränkel surname in the United States, and it is found primarily in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Traenkle and Traunkle are found in both the United States and Germany. Trankel is the most common variant of the surname in Germany.
Other variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Tränkel have traditionally been found throughout Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The spelling Trinkle is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, France, and Ireland. Trinks is the most common variant of the surname in the Netherlands, while Trankle is the most common variant of the surname in South Africa.
Famous people with the name Tränkel
1.Edith Tränkel: A German Olympic swimmer who competed for the country in 1936 Olympics and won the bronze medal in the women’s 4×100 m freestyle relay. 2.Andreas Tränkel: A Swiss molecular biologist known for his work with enzymes and their application in biocatalysis. 3.Ernst Tränkel: A German classical scholar known for his work on the works of Heraclitus and Plato. 4.Franz Tränkel: A German mechanical engineer and aerospace engineer known for his work on rocket technology and the development of the V-2 missile. 5.Johannes Tränkel: A German organist and music director who wrote several works for organ and choral music. 6.Karl Christian Ernemann Tränkel: A German entomologist who specialized in Diptera insect genus. 7.Josef Franz Tränkel: An Austrian mineralogist and pioneer geophysicist known for his work on seismic disturbances. 8.Julius Tränkel: A German musicologist and music educator known for his works on Mozart's life and works. 9.Otto Tränkel: A German theologian and Kirchenpolitiker who is known for his works on Ecumenism and church politics. 10.Christian Gottlob Tränkel: A German botanist and mycologist known for his studies on mushroom taxonomy.