Surname Pelzl - Meaning and Origin
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Pelzl: What does the surname Pelzl mean?
The surname Pelzl is of German origin, and was traditionally found in the region of Bavaria. It is derived from the Old German personal name Pelliz, which is derived from the Latin personal name Apollinaris. It is an occupational surname, originally given to someone who worked as a pilgrim guide. The Latin Apollinaris is derived from Apollo, the Greek god of light, and laris, which comes from the Greek word for protection. Therefore, it could be interpreted to mean “Protector of the Light.”
Pelzl is a relatively rare surname in Germany today, but it is most common in Bavaria. In the United States, it is found primarily in Pennsylvania, where it is concentrated in Pittsburgh. It is believed that the Pelzl family may have originated in the Netherlands, and were among the Dutch immigrants who traveled to Pennsylvania in the late 1700s.
The modern spelling of Pelzl is most likely a spelling variation of the original name. It has retained its German origin, however, as is evident in its pronunciation. Today, the Pelzl family is widely spread around the world and can be found in many countries, including the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands.
Order DNA origin analysisPelzl: Where does the name Pelzl come from?
The surname 'Pelzl' is most commonly found in Germany today, with an estimated 5,000 people bearing the name. It is especially prominent in the Bavarian region of the country, most likely due to a large population of Catholics in the area. The surname can also be found in Austria, the United States, and Canada.
The origin of the name Pelzl is shrouded in mystery, but it likely derives from a patronymic form of the Germanic personal name 'Pell', which was a given name among the Slavic, Frankish, and Germanic peoples living in Central Europe during at least the Middle Ages. The surname most likely originated as a nickname to describe someone with a 'pelt' or thick coat of fur.
The first mentions of the surname in Europe date back to the 1400s. An Austrian soldier named Pfeltsel is believed to have appeared in documents in 1414, and records indicate discovered a miller named Pelzner at a church in Nuremberg dating from 1468. Through the centuries, the name has been changed and spelling variations adopted, with Perz, Pezl, Pelz, Pelsl and other variations appearing in records.
The abundance of spellings of Pelzl over the centuries has made tracing the family line very much a challenge today. However, the common origin does mean there are many families spread across Germany and other parts of Europe related to the same ancestral line.
Variations of the surname Pelzl
The surname Pelzl is of German origin. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Pell, Pelles, Pellesz, Pellner, Pelzl, Pelzle, Pelzler, Pelzlre, Pelzmann, Fiszmann, Fitzmann, and Fitzmantel.
The surname Pell is a patronymic surname meaning “son of Pell,” which in turn is derived from the old German word “pilz” meaning “mushroom.” The word “pilz” was used as a nickname for a person of small stature. The surnames Pelles, Pellesz, and Pellner are the same and all mean “son of Pell.”
The surname Pelzl is thought to be derived from a German place name. Pelzle is a variant of this name. Pelzler, Pelzlre, and Pelzmann are diminutive forms of the same name.
Fiszmann, Fitzmann, and Fitzmantel are variations of the same name. The variants originated from the old German word “viz” which meant “wise” or “sage.” It is likely that the surnames were given to those who were known for their wisdom or religious knowledge.
Famous people with the name Pelzl
- Stephen Pelzl: professional basketball player
- Richard Pelzl: associate professor of economics
- Kenneth Pelzl: Civil War historian and author
- Bernice Pelzl: President, CEO, and founder, Pelzl Cosmetics
- Bernhard Pelzl: rallied the German resistance against Nazism in the Second World War
- Edward Pelzl: American CEO and philanthropist
- Henry Pelzl: co-founder of the Texas band, The Aquamarine Cowboy Band
- Andrew Pelzl: member of the Texas Legislature
- William Pelzl: World War II veteran
- Fritz Pelzl: German physicist and electrical engineer