Surname Pflügel - Meaning and Origin
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Pflügel: What does the surname Pflügel mean?
The last name Pflügel is of German origin, and is derived from the Middle High German word "pflugel," meaning "sinner." The name could have been used as a nickname for a person who was considered to be sinful or at least had an inclination for sinful behaviour. In the German language, the word "pflugel" also serves as an idiom, to refer to someone who is crafty, shrewd, and sly in their dealings.
This surname is also found in Dutch records, where it is spelled as "Pfluffer," or "Pflufferz," and is found primarily in the areas of the Rhineland, Holstein, and Westphalia. In many instances, the name can be traced back to the 13th century in Holland.
The earliest known occurrence of the Pflügel name dates back to 1688 in the village of Prambs, Germany. The name has continued to be used in Germany and other parts of the world ever since.
Over the centuries, many variations of the surname have emerged, including Pflegel, Pflogel, Phlegel, Pflukler, and Pfügel in Germany, Pfluffer in Holland, Pfulfer in Switzerland, and Pflugel in the United States.
The name is still found in many countries and, in the United States, it is most frequently found in areas where German immigrants settled in the 19th century. It is most common in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan. In both Germany and the United States, the name is commonly found in the farming community.
Order DNA origin analysisPflügel: Where does the name Pflügel come from?
The last name Pflügel is a common family name in German-speaking countries, particularly in countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein.
In Germany, Pflügel is the 19,966 most common family name, with an estimated 5,423 people bearing the name. It is particularly common in the states of Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bavaria, and North Rhine-Westphalia. In Austria, the name is 11,137th most commonly and about 3,529 people have the name. In Switzerland, the name rankings at 16,978th place with an estimated 2,027 people having it as their last name.
The name is thought to have derived from the Middle High German phrase 'pflegil', which means 'small spade'. As such, it is likely that the original name-bearers were associated with activities involving digging or similar work. The name is still found in these areas today as both a given name and a surname, and is also fairly common in the United States with an estimated 2,812 individuals bearing the last name.
Variations of the surname Pflügel
Pflügel is an old German surname, dated as far back as the mid 17th century, with many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of these are Pflegel, Pfluigle, Pflegele, Pflimlin, Pfaffel, Pflags, Pflagel, Phflegel, Pfuhl, Pfa(\ul, Pergel, Pergl and Pifel.
The most commonly encountered spelling of the surname in German is Pflügel, and it is composed of the elements “Pf”, “lüg” and “el”. The “Pf” element is derived from an old German word meaning “peer, to lift or to support”, the “lüg” element is either derived from an old French and medieval German word meaning “face”, or from the old German word meaning “loud, proud, famous”, and the “el” element is from the Middle High German word meaning “nobleman”. The combined elements of the surname are often translated as “sky-high supporting the proud” or “high-ranking supporter” with the allusion to a nobleman. The name has also been associated in German with the meaning of “a good-natured or jovial person”, hence the term “Pflügelsschwarm” (“charm of Pflügels”).
Over time, the surname Pflügel has spread across German-speaking countries, often taking on variations of spelling and pronunciation. In some cases, the name has also been changed or translated as a result of immigration to different countries. Some of these include Pruggel (Danish), Pruggela or Pruggelita (Italian), Prugel, Prüggell, or Prügel (Frisian), Prúgel or Pruggel (Portuguese), and Pruggeli (Swiss German).
In conclusion, the surname Pflügel has numerous variant spellings, as well as many associated surnames of the same origin, spread across many German-speaking countries. These include Pflegel, Pfluigle, Pflegele, Pflimlin, Pfaffel, Pflags, Pflagel, Phflegel, Pfuhl, Pfa(\ul, Pergel, Pergl, Pifel, Pruggel, Pruggela or Pruggelita, Prugel, Prüggell, or Prügel, Prúgel or Pruggel, and Pruggeli.
Famous people with the name Pflügel
- Stephan Pflügel: German footballer and former manager.
- Jim Pflugel: American football player.
- Joe Pflügel: German football player.
- Katharina von Pflügel: German artist.
- Aaron Pflügel: German football player.
- Johannes Pflügel: German artist.
- Anita Pflügel, German former ice hockey player.
- Matthew Pflügel: American voice actor.
- Phillip Pflügel: German musician.
- Günther Pflügel: German Actor.