Surname Pickrel - Meaning and Origin

Pickrel: What does the surname Pickrel mean?

Pickrel, sometimes spelled as Pickerel, is an English surname of Old French origin. It is derived from the Middle English term "pikerell" which is a diminutive of "pike". The term refers to a young or small pike, a type of carnivorous fish known for its sharp, tapered jaw and fierce nature. The surname could possibly have originated as a nickname for an aggressive, sharp-tempered person.

Alternatively, it could also be an occupational name for someone who caught or sold these fish. English surnames were often associated with a person’s occupation, physical characteristics, or locality. In this case, a person with the last name Pickerel may have been a fisherman or a fishmonger specializing in catching or selling pike fish.

Keep in mind that surname meanings can vary based on regions and over centuries, and this is just one possible interpretation. The surname Pickrel is quite rare today and can most often be found in the United States and Canada.

Pickrel: Where does the name Pickrel come from?

The last name Pickrel is most commonly found in the United States today. In the US Census of 2020, the last name Pickrel is found concentrated mainly in the midwestern states of Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. In these states, the top four cities with the highest percentage of Pickrels are Madison, WI; Columbus, OH; Indianapolis, IN; and Grand Rapids, MI. Outside of the midwest, the concentration of Pickrels is fairly low, though the name is also found in scattered clusters throughout the country.

In terms of global distribution, Pickrels are found in both Western and Eastern Europe, though no countries are known to have significant concentrations of the name. The last name is also found in Australia, China, and India.

Overall, the Pickrel surname has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, with the highest concentrations still found in the America midwest. A possible explanation for the last name's unusual concentration in the US Midwest may be the influencing of Irish or German immigrants, who often settled in these areas during the late 19th century.

Variations of the surname Pickrel

Pickrel is an English surname with multiple variants and spellings. The most common variants and spellings are Pickel, Pickle, Picken, Pikkel, Pickill, and Pickall. It can sometimes be found spelled as Pykrell or Pikrell.

Pickrel began as a nickname for a person who was particularly fond of pickles. It then came to be used as an occupational surname for a person who worked in the pickle industry. It can also be found spelled as Pykrell or Pikrell for someone who worked in the pikel or pickling industry.

This surname has many variants including Pickrelle, Pickerill, Pickerell, Pickelle, Pickrell, and Pickedall. Some variants for the surname come from other countries such as Germany, which has Pikall and Pihl. In Scotland, the name can be found spelled as Pikale.

Other variants are unique to individual families. Examples include Pickell, Pickenall, Pyrkel, Pickahead, Peckrill, Pickresa, Pickerello, and Pickedahl.

This surname has also been anglicized to other forms, such as Pykowitz, Pickwitz, and Pickstone. It is sometimes seen as a given name in the UK as Pickrell or Puckell.

Pickrel is a popular surname in the US and UK. While it has many variants and spellings, it has been used by many families for generations and continues to be used today.

Famous people with the name Pickrel

• Steve Pickrel: a professional theater actor and musician best known for appearing in musical theater productions such as "Hairspray", "Wicked", and "Rent".
• John Pickrel: a semi-professional race car driver who has competed in various international racing leagues, such as the NASCAR Pinty's Series and European Stock Car Championship Series.
• Ashley Pickrel: an American athlete who competed in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens as a swimmer, winning a total of three bronze medals.
• Amber Pickrel: an Emmy-nominated television and film actress, known for her roles in "Dr. House", "Glee", and "Grey's Anatomy".
• Mary Pickrel: a well-known American soprano who has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on numerous occasions.
• Jeff Pickrel: a professional football player and coach, who played in the NFL for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1993 to 2002.
• Brandon Pickrel: a recording artist and rapper who has released two studio albums, "No Ogres Allowed" and "Above the Sky".
• Tess Pickrel: a Grammy-nominated country singer and songwriter who has released four studio albums, all of which have reached the top ten of the Billboard Country Charts.
• Jack Pickrel: an Olympic-level figure skater who competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, winning the bronze medal in the men's figure skating competition.
• Sam Pickrel: an author and illustrator, best known for writing the popular children's books "The Cat and the King" and "The Elephant and the Emperor".

Other surnames

PickralPickrellPickril