Surname Jekl - Meaning and Origin
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Jekl: What does the surname Jekl mean?
The last name Jekl is of Czechoslovakian origin and is derived from the Czech word jekl which means “shell” or “plank”. Therefore, its literal translation is probably something like “of the plank”. It’s possible that an ancestor of the Jekl family was a carpenter, builder, or someone who worked with such materials.
In Czech language, the letter i (which is equivalent with the letter y in English) that sounds like "ee" when said aloud. In some regions of the Czech Republic, the Jekl surname is linked to the toponym Jeklov, which is a village. Therefore, it’s possible that the family originated at this place.
On the other hand, the Czech surname Jekl originates from the Middle High German-word “göchel”, which means “lievestock”, especially in the sense of geese. This indicates that some Jekl ancestors may have been responsible for keeping and tending a flock of geese.
Today, family members who are descendants of this family carry the last name Jekl with pride, for its history, culture, and connection to ancestral homes. Jekl family members can be found all over the world, though the majority remains in the Czech Republic.
Order DNA origin analysisJekl: Where does the name Jekl come from?
The last name Jekl is most commonly found today in the Czech Republic and other neighboring countries in Central and Eastern Europe such as Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, and Slovenia. It is also found among people who have origins in those countries, primarily among Czech American, Austrian American, and Slovak American communities in the United States.
Most surnames in the Czech Republic, like Jekl, originated centuries ago when as people from the same region began using the same name to identify themselves from other populations. For example, "Jekl" could be a variation of the Slavic name "Jeklius" which was used to differentiate from other families with similar-sounding names.
Studies of 19th-century records from the Czech Republic also indicate that the last name Jekl is common among the Jewish population. It is believed that the Jewish people of that region adopted surnames shortly after the 12th century when the King of Bohemia began requiring them from his subjects.
Despite its origins in Central and Eastern Europe, the surname Jekl can now be found across the world, especially in countries that have become home to immigrants from those parts of Europe. It has become a part of the global population, representing an indelible link to its origin and the rich and diverse culture of the Czech Republic.
Variations of the surname Jekl
The surname Jekl (or Jekel) is believed to have originated from a variety of countries, including France, Germany, and Israel. Depending on the country of origin, the name has several variants and spellings.
From France, Jekl may also be spelled Jekel, Jeckel, or Jeqel. Within Germany, the surname may also be spelled Jaeckl, Jeckl, or Jaeqel. In Jewish Ashkenazic culture, the surname may be spelled Yaakov, Yaacov, Yaakob, or even Jacob.
From France, the surname may also take its variant form, Jecquel. This variant is most commonly used in the Champagne-Ardenne region, where the majority of those with this surname are believed to reside. However, Jequel is another variant form that is found throughout the region.
In Germany, the surname is most commonly found in Southwest Germany, where different spellings are found, such as Jaeckle, Jaecklin, or Jaklin. In some areas of Eastern Germany, the surname may also take its variant form Yegel (or Yägel).
Other, lesser known variants of Jekl include Yeckel, Yägel, and Jeckel. These variants are found throughout Germany, France, and Israel. As well, the surname may take its double barreled form: Jeckel-Jekel or Jekel-Jeckel, which is most commonly found in Illinois, USA.
All of the forms of the surname Jekl are derived from the same root, making them effectively the same surname, but with regional forms, spellings, and variants. All of these forms ultimately come from the Hebrew term Ya’aqov, meaning “heel-grabber” or “supplanter,” which is the given name of the biblical Jacob.
Famous people with the name Jekl
- Ed Jekl: American lighting director for television and film.
- Vítezslav Jekl: Czech Olympic rower.
- Calista Jekl: American actress who starred in the TV show Lizzie McGuire.
- Hermann Jekl: Austrian philosopher and theologian.
- Ervin Jekl: American basketball player who played for the New York Nets in the 1970s.
- Josef Jekl: Czech-Austrian composer of classical music.
- Audrone Jekl: Lithuanian Olympic medalist in archery.
- Sinclair Jekl: British former racing cyclist.
- Franjo Jekl: Croatian water polo player and Olympian.
- Ulf Jekl: Swedish former alpine skier.