Surname Dochnal - Meaning and Origin

Dochnal: What does the surname Dochnal mean?

Dochnal is a Polish surname, primarily found in the region of Kraków. Derived from the language of Old Slavonic, the name means “inhabitant of the valley” or it could also be translated as “someone who lives near a valley.”

The name Dochnal is the source of various family crests and heraldic symbols, suggesting that the surname likely originated from a prominent family or group of people. Its history can be traced back to the mid-13th century, when Poland adopted the custom of using surnames to differentiate between individuals. The earliest documented source of the name dates to 1318, when a man named Osko Dochnal recorded his property in a local charter, making him one of the earliest known bearers of the surname.

The Dochnal surname is also linked to the Tarnowskie mountain region, where a village of the same name is located. Many of the first settlers of this village were of the Dochnal family, as well as other Polish families who moved there during the Polish-Austrian wars.

The Dochnal surname has since spread far and wide as the family has grown over the centuries. It is still found mostly in Poland, but can also be found in other areas of Europe and other parts of the world. For those who trace their roots to the original Dochnal family, the name carries with it a sense of strong familial heritage and pride.

Dochnal: Where does the name Dochnal come from?

The last name Dochnal is most common in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. It can also be found in Romania, Hungary, Slovenia, Austria, and Germany. In Poland, the name is sometimes spelled "Dochmal" or "Dochnom".

The Dochnal family likely originated in Poland at some point in the 16th, 17th, or 18th centuries. It is believed to derive from the Polish word "doĉny", meaning "descendant or heir." This was likely a designation given to a noble son, as noble families tended to designate their noble offspring with a "nickname."

The name is still popular in the countries of Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, where it can be found as both a first and last name. In the USA, the name is much rarer, with only four households listed in the US census in 2020.

Although the last name Dochnal is not a common one in the USA, it's certainly worth recognizing due to its prominence in Central and Eastern Europe. Its roots offer a window into the history of the region, and continuing to be shared across generations is a testament to its importance.

Variations of the surname Dochnal

The surname Dochnal is a surname of Polish ethnic origin, deriving from the profession of those who worked in dyeing clothes. Alternative spellings of the surname include Dochnahl, Dohnal, Dochal, Dohal, Dohall, and Doehnal. Common variants of the surname are Dochnalik, Dohnalek, and Dochalk. The surname can also be found in countries such as the United States, Germany, Canada, and France.

The surname Dochnal is derived from the Polish word, ‘dokonć’, meaning to dye. Over time, the spelling has morphed from the original Polish root into its various spellings, as families with the surname emigrated and settled in different countries. Variants of the surname often arose from phonetic spelling and translation from one language to another

Other surnames with the same origin can be found in German speaking countries such as Dohnalek, Dohnal, and Doennal, as well as Austrian surnames such as Dokkisch, and Czech surnames such as Dokal. In the United States the surname is also spelled as Donahl, Doehl, and Doehol. In France the surname is spelled Dochal, Dochon, and Dohomme.

Overall, Dochnal is derived from a Polish word meaning to dye, and due to its various spellings and translations, the surname has expanded and adapted to become a global surname representing many different nationalities.

Famous people with the name Dochnal

• Matthew Dochnal, Canadian actor
• Xavier Dochnal, Chilean actor
• Jennifer Dochnal, American artist and professor
• Lyudmyla Dochnal, Ukrainian former Member of Parliament
• Tristan Dochnal, Australian racing car driver
• Mario Dochnal, German footballer
• Marcin Dochnal, Polish footballer
• Uwe Dochnal, German chess grandmaster
• Christian Dochnal, Austrian artist
• Milan Dochnal, Czech fashion designer

Other surnames

Dochnahl