Surname Pensel - Meaning and Origin

Pensel: What does the surname Pensel mean?

The surname Pensel is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "pensel," which means "paintbrush." The name indicates that the original bearer of the name may have worked as a painter or artist, or possibly made paintbrushes. Just like many other occupational surnames, Pensel would have been used to distinguish individuals based on their trade or profession. This last name is relatively rare and can primarily be found in Europe, particularly in Germany. It should be noted that spellings of surnames can often change over centuries and may have numerous variations due to factors such as regional dialects and phonetic spelling. Therefore, Pensel might be related to similar sounding or spelled surnames of the same or similar meanings.

Pensel: Where does the name Pensel come from?

The last name Pensel is most commonly seen today in countries with German heritage. It is a surname derived from the Middle High German verb ‘penselen’, meaning ‘to paint’. It is most often found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other parts of Central Europe. In recent centuries, German-speaking immigrants also carried the name with them to other parts of Europe, as well as the United States of America, Canada, and parts of South America.

In the United States, according to the US Census Bureau, the most RPensel occurrences are found in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Michigan. This is likely due to the high concentration of German immigrants in the midwest region of the US. The prevalence of Pensel in the United States has declined since the late nineteenth century, when nearly 150 people shared the last name.

In Germany, the most occurrences of the last name Pensel are found in the northern region of Schleswig-Holstein. It is also seen in the states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Lower Saxony, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The popularity of Pensel is also slowly growing in regions such as Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Hungary.

Overall, Pensel can be found throughout Europe, North America, and to a lesser extent, other parts of the world. Its primary occurrence is in places historically influenced by German culture.

Variations of the surname Pensel

Pensel is a surname of Germanic origin, originally derived from the Middle High German word "pensel," meaning "little brush." The name evolved from the occupation of one of the family's ancestors, likely a paintbrush maker or painter. Variants of the surname Pensel include Pensil, Pensilke, Pansyl, Panslol, Pensoll, and Pensohl. It is also known to be spelled differently in different countries, including Pensal, Pensale, Penselle, and Penshell.

Over time, the surname has spread and variations have developed. In some cases, the name has been altered as it moved through different languages, resulting in alternate spellings like Penzal, Penselle, Pensole, and Pensolle. There are also slight spelling variations of the name, such as Penzolle, Penzoel, and Pinsol.

Some of the surname variations are also tied to regional dialects or languages spoken in countries of origin such as France, Germany, and Poland. For example, the French version is Pensal, the German version Penselle and the Polish version is Penscole.

Surnames related to Pensel include Penzal, Pensohl, Penshee, Pensal, Pensill, Pensilke, Pansyl, Panslol, Pensoll, Pensell, Penschill, and Pensell. These surnames are rooted in the common origin of Pensel, and stem from the Germanic word "pensel," meaning "little brush."

Famous people with the name Pensel

• Branden Pensel: Actor, known for Monster in the Woods, Abduction 101, and Dinner at Tiffany's.
• James Pensel: American musician, producer and writer.
• David Pensel: Singer, guitarist and songwriter for the band Hastar.
• Megan Pensel: Singer, guitarist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who released the album The Wind shifts in 2018.
• Catharine Pensel: Artist, known for her oil paintings that draw inspiration from her vast travels.
• Melissa Pensel: Journalist and founder of the service journalism organisation News for Change.
• Matthew Pensel: Cinematographer, filmmaker and photographer.
• John Pensel: Painter, sculptor, and visual artist.
• Nathaniel Pensel: Entrepreneur and robotics expert.
• Madeline Pensel: Short story writer published in Narrative Magazine and many other venues.

Other surnames

Pense