Surname Penzl - Meaning and Origin
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Penzl: What does the surname Penzl mean?
The last name Penzl is derived from the German word "penzl," meaning fence. The word is said to have originated from the Middle Low German phrase "benzel," meaning a palisade which is a defensive fence composed of wooden posts or stakes. This defensive fence was typically used to protect a settlement or area from invasion.
The name likely symbolizes a protected area as the word itself is derived from a protective palisade and is indicative of the person bearing the name living in a situation where such protection was necessary.
Penzl may also refer to someone who lived near a fencing factory or one who was employed in the fencing business. This is because Germans often used to name themselves based on their trade. For instance, "Smith" was often used as a surname for someone who was involved in metalworking.
The surname Penzl is mostly found in Germany, Austria, and the Czech region. It is a fairly common surname that can also be found in the United States and Canada.
At its core, the last name Penzl denotes someone who lives in a protected area or who is involved in the fencing business. For some, it may even carry the added symbolism of living in a secure and safe area.
Order DNA origin analysisPenzl: Where does the name Penzl come from?
The surname Penzl is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It is also present in some other European countries, including Slovenia, France, and the Czech Republic. The earliest recorded mention of the Penzl surname was in the 16th century in Austria.
Additionally, there are currently a few occurrences of the surname in the United States. Primarily in the states of New York, California, and Illinois, though it is also found in other states to a lesser extent. In 2020, the name ranked 33,183 in terms of popularity in the United States.
The Penzl surname is likely of German or Austrian origin, derived from the personal name 'Penzlein'. Alternatively, it could also be derived from the middle-high German name Penzli, which was a given name used in Central Europe during the Middle Ages.
Overall, the surname Penzl is more common in certain regions in Europe than in others. It is most prevalent in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as in the Germanic speaking countries. Additionally, the surname is slowly becoming more and more common in the United States due to immigration.
Variations of the surname Penzl
The surname Penzl is a high-frequency German-language last name. It can be spelled in several different ways, including Penzels, Penzel, Penzul, Pinsels, Pinsel and Pennell.
The spelling Penzl is derived from the parent first name Penz and is found primarily in southern Germany. It can be found from the 17th century onward, and has several place names associated with it.
Other variants of Penzl are derived from the original German spelling, indicating a regional variant or an alternate spelling within a specific dialect. An example is the word "Penzle", which is a variation often used by Germans in Bavaria and Austria.
The surname Pennell is an English spelling of the same origin. This form of the surname is more prevalent in the United States, where the spelling Pennell is also seen as well.
The surname Penz or Penzin is also a variant of the same origin. This spelling is found primarily in Estonia and Latvia and is also prevalent in Germany.
It is also likely that some individuals bearing this surname could be of Jewish decendents. Additionally, some variants of the surname such a penzal were likely adopted by Jews in the diaspora.
In all, considering all the variations, the Penzl surname is an incredibly widespread surname across many countries and cultures, with various spellings and origin points.
Famous people with the name Penzl
- Alexander Penzl: Austrian mathematician and physicist who is considered one of the pioneers of thermodynamics.
- Erwin Penzl: German painter, graphic artist, etcher, and author.
- Reinhard Penzl: German herpetologist and expert on amphibians and reptiles who studied geckos and salamanders.
- Lorenz Penzl: Austrian ornithologist and conservationist, who worked to conserve wetlands and promote birding in the country.
- Ryan Penzl: American ice hockey player and coach.
- Petra Penzl: German opera singer, music teacher, and music journalist.
- Karolina Penzl: Austrian ballerina, actress, and author.
- Ferdinand Penzl: Austrian composer, pianist, and music educator.
- Johann Penzl: German optician and photographer who co-invented the Penzl Chronophotograph in 1878.
- Beat Penzl: Swiss photographer, who has won several awards and recognition for his work.