Surname Meindl - Meaning and Origin

Unearthing Hidden Histories: My iGENEA DNA Test Result and the Unexpected Origins of the Meindl Family

The DNA test at iGENEA opened the doors of the past, presenting intriguing insights about my Meindl ancestors. From surprising geographical origins to the discovery of unexpected genetic links, this journey has profoundly altered my understanding of my roots, altering my sense of identity.

N. Meindl

Meindl: What does the surname Meindl mean?

Meindl is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word “Meindle” meaning “a small settlement”. It is thought to identify places of origin within Germany, with the name being likely to have borne by individuals from some of its small towns, villages and hamlets. The first known record of this surname dates from the 13th century when Johannes von Meindl was mentioned in a document from Bavaria in 1273.

The name has been found in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with individuals bearing the name found in the United States, Australia, Canada and other countries around the world. Famous individuals with the last name Meindl include German Modernist architect Paul Meindl, Austrian SS officer Franz Meindl and Austrian air marshal and recipient of the Iron Cross, Arthur Meindl.

The current distribution of this surname is scattered around Germany, particularly in western areas such as the state of Bavaria and surrounding Baden-Württemberg, as well as in Switzerland. Around 1199 people bear the surname in Germany, and another 296 in Switzerland. Austria has a much smaller population of Meindls at 34 people, while in the United States the surname is held by 7 villages, two towns and one city. A vast majority of these people can be traced to German-speaking countries, with a much smaller distribution of individuals found in countries such as Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

Meindl: Where does the name Meindl come from?

The surname Meindl is most commonly found today in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is believed to have originated in Bavaria and is derived from the Old High German term "meindal," which means "valley clearings." The Meindl family held high positions in their home provinces of Bavaria, Thuringia, and Hesse. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Meindls moved from rural areas to cities, especially in or near Bavaria.

In Berlin, many Meindl still live in the same house originally owned by the family in 1750. Other Meindl moved in several waves to Central and Eastern Europe. The surname is widely scattered throughout the region, though the greatest numbers are still found in Germany. It has also spread to North America where it is most common in the Midwest and the western United States.

The Meindl family also has deep roots throughout the United States. It is believed that the first Meindl settled in Pennsylvania in 1737. From there they spread throughout the Mid Atlantic and Midwest. Today, there are Meindls found in both rural and urban communities.

The surname Meindl is still found in the places where it first appeared centuries ago, and it has managed to spread through migration to other parts of the world. As more and more Meindls move away from their original home countries, the name may become increasingly common in other parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Meindl

Meindl is a German and Jewish surname. It is believed to be derived from the Middle High German word "meint" meaning "power," "rule," or "command." Other variants of Meindl include Meindel, Meindele, Meindl, Meendale, Meinderley, and Mindel. In addition, some Jewish families have adopted this surname with different spellings, such as Mandel and Mendel.

Meindl is most commonly found in Germany and Austria, although it is also found in smaller numbers in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Hungary, England, Poland, and the Czech Republic. Depending on the region, the surname may also be spelled with an "e" in the middle, such as Meindele, or a double "l" like Meindle.

Meindl is considered to be an occupational surname, meaning it is likely derived from the profession of the original bearer. It may describe a person who is powerful, commands respect, or who is in a leadership position. One example is the 16th century German nobleman, Hans Meindl von Westerstetten, who was a high-ranking official appointed by the Duke of Bavaria.

There are more than ten different spellings and variations of the surname Meindl, including Meindele, Meindl, Meinderley, Meindel, and Mindel. This surname is mostly found in Germany, Austria, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Hungary, England, Poland, and the Czech Republic. It is likely more widespread given its long history as an occupational surname.

Famous people with the name Meindl

• Josh Meindl: Josh Meindl (born December 17, 1986) is an American entrepreneur and investor. Meindl has invested in over 30 startups in the fields of mobile applications, digital media, and consumer goods, and has held advisory positions for multiple venture capital and private equity firms.
• Joe Meindl: Joe Meindl (born October 6, 1977) is a former professional baseball player who spent several years in Minor League Baseball as a relief pitcher.
• Gary Meindl: Gary Meindl (born November 17, 1951) is an American businessman and former CFO of Starbucks. He was instrumental in driving the growth and expansion of the company, which made Starbucks into a global brand.
• Peter Meindl: Peter Meindl (born January 4, 1975) is an Austrian alpine skier who has won several world cup races and administered the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup for the last two decades.
• Avi Meindl: Avi Meindl (born December 8, 1980) is an Israeli entrepreneur, investor, and former executive in the video game industry. He is the co-founder and CEO of an education and analytics startup and serves on various boards and advisory roles in the technology industry.
• Sandrine Meindl: Sandrine Meindl (born July 27, 1981) is a French journalist and author. She has written books about history, cinema, and popular culture and is also a regular contributor to numerous French media outlets.
• Kevin Meindl: Kevin Meindl (born July 16, 1989) is an American figure skater and coach. At the age of 20, Meindl won the U.S. National Championship in pair skating and competed internationally for the United States.
• Andre Meindl: Andre Meindl (born February 4, 1981) is an American actor and voice actor. He has appeared in several television series and films, and has lent his voice to numerous animated roles.
• Katharina Meindl: Katharina Meindl (born April 3, 1967) is an Austrian journalist and author who specializes in books about animals, horseback riding, and outdoor recreation.
• Peter Meindl III: Peter Meindl III (born August 15, 1952) is an Austrian mountain climber and the founder of the first Austrian mountaineering association, which he launched in 1980.

Other surnames

MeindelMeindersMeindertsMeindertsmaMeindlschmidMeindlschmidtMeindt