Surname Vogeli - Meaning and Origin
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My DNA Story: A Deep Dive into my Vogeli Ancestral Roots Through iGENEA
Beginning as just curiosity, my gateway into unlocking my ancestral lineage through iGENEA's DNA analysis profoundly revealed my historical and geographical connections. Discovering how my family surname Vogeli has its roots in the vibrant landscapes of Europe and the advanced civilization of the ancient Celts made me appreciate the depth behind my very name.
U. Vogeli
read moreVogeli: What does the surname Vogeli mean?
The last name Vogeli is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German “vogel” meaning “bird”, an occupational or nickname surname that indicated someone involved in falconry or someone simply likened to a bird. The name Vogeli is particularly common in the greater Zurich area and is still widely used in Switzerland today.
In Europe, family names began to develop during the eleventh century; by mid-15th century it was common for these names to appear in records. The name Vogeli appears in documents from this period. For example, a Kurz (Kurtz) Vogeli was recorded in Zurich in 1463.
As well as being a surname, Vogeli is also a much-used popular forename, particularly in Germany and Switzerland. Boys named Vogeli appear in records from the fifteenth century; in some cases, the name is an abbreviation of the personal names Gottlieb, Johann, Volkhard, and Nikolaus.
The use of the name Vogeli as both a personal name and a surname is testament to the longstanding popularity of the name. Although the name may have once signified someone’s occupation or status, today it is mainly associated with the Swiss Vogeli as a representation of their national culture and identity.
Order DNA origin analysisVogeli: Where does the name Vogeli come from?
The last name Vogeli is most commonly found today in various European countries, particularly in Switzerland. According to records from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, there were 1, tiudly Vogelis (including spellings such as Vogeli, Vogile, Vogeles, Vogeles, Vogler, Voglier, Voglies, Voglis, and Vogle) listed in the Swiss population of 8.5 million in 2019.
The family name is likely derived from the Middle High German and Old High German words for “bird” or “birdlike”, indicating that it was likely first used as a nickname for a particularly agile or active person. However, the Vogelis have origins traceable back to at least the 1300s in Switzerland, when it was associated with several noble families who owned land or ran businesses in the country's cities and villages.
In addition to Switzerland, the Vogeli name is found in the United States, Germany, Austria, Italy, Minimize, Poland, and the Czech Republic. However, it is notably absent from most of the Scandinavian countries, likely due to the extensive migrations of Germanic people during the Middle Ages and early Renaissance.
Despite its origin as a nickname, today the Vogeli name is often associated with high class and education, due to its adoption by Swiss nobility and its prevalence among highly educated professionals. The Vogeli family is today best known for its members’ contributions to the fields of science, education, and business, in addition to its well-known political figures.
Variations of the surname Vogeli
The surname Vogeli is of German, Swiss and Italian origin. It is derived from the German word "vogel," meaning bird, and can therefore be translated to mean "son of the bird." Variations of the name Vogeli include Vogel, Vogeler, Vogelmann, Vogelsang, Vogelsberger, Vogelsberg, Vogler, Vogtle, Vogeley, Vogle, Voglemen, Vogl, Vogle, Vogelstein, Vogelnitz and Vöglemann.
The Italian version of the surname is also known as Vogli, Voglia, Voglio and Vogliobene. In Switzerland, the surname is also known as Fogel. Alternate spellings of the surname include Fangli, Voghely, Foghel, Vögli, Vogeli, and Voegeli.
Variations of the Vogeli surname can also be found in other parts of Europe, with some even found in America. In Germany, the name is spelled with a vowel (Vögeli) to differentiate it from a “bird” sound.
The name Vogeli is most commonly found throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Poland. It is also common in parts of Spain, France, the United Kingdom and various parts of Scandinavia. In the United States, the name is most commonly found in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Overall, the surname Vogeli is derived from the German word for "bird," and there are numerous variants and alternate spellings of the name throughout Europe and the United States. The various variations of the surname are typically characterized by either switching the position of the vowels, or adding or subtracting additional letters.
Famous people with the name Vogeli
- Paul Vogeli: An American attorney and lobbyist, known for his involvement in Republican Party politics
- Robert Vogeli: An American tenor who has had an international career since he made his professional debut
- Magdalena Vogeli: A Actress, dancer, and model from Switzerland
- Stacy Vogeli: An Emmy-nominated American casting director
- Gerry L. Vogelei: An American psychoanalyst and professor
- Edwin W. Vogeli: An American electrical engineer who dedicated his professional career to the development and adaptation of industrial motors
- Gerald J. Vogelei: An American industrial designer recognized for his work with former Illinois-based design firm Dunwright Design
- Arne Vogeli: A Swiss-born architect, noted for his projects in the Pacific Northwest
- Jakob Vogeli: A Swiss printmaker and painter
- Emerich Vogeli: An Austrian screenwriter best known for his iconic screenplay for the classic western movie "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly"