Surname Döhnel - Meaning and Origin
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Döhnel: What does the surname Döhnel mean?
The last name Döhnel is a fairly uncommon German surname that dates back to the early 19th century. It is derived from the old German word “Döhnen”, which meant “to make” or “to do”. The meaning of the name can be interpreted in several different ways, including "one who makes things" or "one who does things", as well as "one who masters something". It can also refer to a person who is crafty or skilful in some way.
The family bearing the name Döhnel likely originated in either the former East Prussia or in the region of Silesia (now part of Poland). Records indicate that a Jost Döhnel first used the name in the early 19th century.
Presently, the surname Döhnel is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the Heidekreis district of Lower Saxony. It is also present in Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the Scandinavian countries.
Today, there are a number of prominent people across several different fields who carry the last name Döhnel. This includes German physicist Herwig Döhnel and Swiss writer and artist Alexander Döhnel.
Döhnel is a unique and interesting surname with a deep and varied background. The meaning of the name has evolved over the years, from the original meaning of “one who makes or does things” to its current interpretations of craftsmanship and skill.
Order DNA origin analysisDöhnel: Where does the name Döhnel come from?
The last name Döhnel is most commonly found today in Germany. While the surname appears to have some historical ties to the Rhineland-Palatinate region of the country, the surname today is most often found in the state of Bavaria. This is likely due to the fact that Bavaria is the largest and most populous of Germany's states.
Within Bavaria specifically, Döhnel is most common in the Southern region of the state, including cities such as Munich and Augsburg. Additionally, the surname appears to have some prevalence in the nearby regions of Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, and Hungary.
The origin of the name itself is not entirely clear, but some suggest an East Germanic origin. Other sources hypothesize the surname is derived from the Middle High German term dönel, meaning 'hard worker.'
Since the surname is common in many parts of Germany, if you or someone you know has a surname of Döhnel, your family could have some very deep historical roots in the country.
Variations of the surname Döhnel
The surname Döhnel is most commonly found in Germany and other German-speaking countries. In Germany, the surname is typically written as Döhnel, although it has been seen with a double e—Döehnel—in some areas. The nuller variant is also common, with Döhnle, Dohnel, Dohne, Dohnel, Dohnle and Dönnel all being variants of the name.
The variants of Döhnel vary even further if you look beyond German-speaking countries. In the United States, for instance, Tackel is a fairly common variant. In Dutch and Flemish areas, similar surnames such as Doeyne and Doene can be found. Similarly, in Scandinavian countries, the surname might take the forms of Dønnel and Donnel.
On top of these more obvious variants, Döhnel can also be found in other spellings and surnames of similar origin. One example is Denilo, which appears in Croatia, Hungary and Slovakia. Other less common versions found in Eastern Europe include Denil, Donil, Donl and Dunil. As for the root of these names, they are all variants of the medieval personal name Donizo, which originated from the Germanic name Donno or Doniz.
Ultimately, while the surname Döhnel is most commonly found in German-speaking countries, it is not limited to that area. The variations found around the world can help to trace certain branches of a family tree, and serve as evidence of movement over the centuries.
Famous people with the name Döhnel
- Felix Döhnel, Head of Communications & Events for the German Green Party;
- Sascha Döhnel, German actor best known for his role in the movie Good Bye Lenin;
- Günther Döhnel, German voice actor and dubbing director;
- Chris Döhnel, contemporary German abstract artist;
- Sven Döhnel, former German soccer player who represented the team FC Schalke 04;
- Looping Louie (Ludger Döhnel), German comedian and former singer and songwriter;
- Franziska Döhnel, German actress;
- Georg Döhnel, Austrian neurologist;
- Hans Döhnel, Olympic athlete from Austria;
- Martin Döhnel, German attorney and writer.