Surname Spiegel - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling the Genetic Tapestry of My Surname 'Spiegel' With iGENEA DNA Testing: A First-Hand Account
Venturing into the realm of ancestral DNA testing at iGENEA, I uncovered intriguing links connecting my surname, Spiegel, to fascinating genetic and historical narratives. This report delves into the technical aspects of the DNA test and the eye-opening insights it has provided.
T. Spiegel
read moreSpiegel: What does the surname Spiegel mean?
The last name Spiegel is of German origin and is derived from the word 'Spiegel' which literally translates to "mirror." The use of Spiegel as a surname originated as a descriptive nickname given to someone who worked with mirrors or as a metaphor for their insightfulness, clarity or ability to reflect accurately.
The Spiegel name was also given to someone who was thought to have an inviting and engaging personality, such as a tavern keeper, bard, or entertainer. Later, as written records began to provide a permanent record of family lineage, the Spiegel surname was used to distinguish one branch of a family from another.
The Spiegel name is found prominently in Germany, where it was thought to be derived from "Speigler," which referred to people working in a workshop associated with cutting precious stones or lenses for optics and magnifying glasses. It is also widely found in other parts of Europe, particularly in the countries that border Germany, such as Poland, Russia, and the Czech Republic.
Today, the surname Spiegel is an increasingly common one, with many notable individuals bearing the name, including German-born American businessman and philanthropist Roy Raymond Spiegel, former professor of philosophy at the University of Wurzburg, Karl Christian Spiegel, and journalist and television producer, Larry Spiegel.
Order DNA origin analysisSpiegel: Where does the name Spiegel come from?
The last name Spiegel is commonly found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. It is a German occupational surname derived from the Middle High German “spiegel,” meaning “mirror” specifically referring to mirror makers. In the United States, this name is most common in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio where one finds many descendants of German immigrants. Most Spiegels in the United States are the descendants of these early German settlers.
In Germany, Spiegel is the 35th most common surname, while in Austria it is the 59th most common. The last name is also increasingly common throughout the world as various immigrants from these countries have brought the surname to other countries. For example, in Canada, it is relatively common. In Africa, Spiegel is particularly common in South Africa where the Afrikaans form of the name is “Spiegl.” The last name is also increasingly common in the United Kingdom.
In addition to being a surname, Spiegel is also a very popular given name in Germany in both male and female forms, mostly derived from the surname. It is also an increasingly popular given name in the United States.
Variations of the surname Spiegel
The surname Spiegel is of German origin and has various different variants in terms of spelling and surnames of the same origin. Some of the variants of this surname include Spiegelman, Speigelman, Speigel, Speigelman, Speigel, Speigelman and Spiegleman.
Spiegel is derived from the German word “spiegel” which means mirror. This surname was likely taken on by people who were involved in the manufacturing or trading of mirrors in medieval times. In some cases, the name might also have been a nickname for someone who was particularly reflective or thoughtful.
The Spiegelman variant of this surname is thought to be an occupational surname, as it indicated someone who worked as a mirror-maker. Speigel and Spiegleman are other variants that were likely used to indicate people who were either mirror-makers or traders.
Speigelman, Speigelman and Speigel are some of the other variants of the Spiegel surname. These variations are likely derived from “Spiegelmann”, which was a German term for an artistic craftsman or someone involved in the creation and trading of mirrors.
Finally, Speigelman is a more modern form of the Spiegel surname. It is believed to be a combination of the words Spiegel and mann, which translates to “mirror man”. This variant was likely used to indicate someone who was a dealer or producer of mirrors.
Famous people with the name Spiegel
- Robert Spiegel: He is an American writer and novelist who is best known for his books Diamonds in the Shadow and The Angel Gang.
- Napoleon Spiegel: He is a former Austrian crouserweight boxer. He competed in the Light Heavyweight division and held the Austrian National title in 2011 and 2012.
- Ernst Spiegel: He was an Austrian chess master who played in several local events. He shared second in Vienna 1920, and first in Vienna 1923.
- Logan Spiegel: He is an American professional boxer and featherweight in the World Boxing Council.
- Forest Spiegel: He was an American film and television actor known for his roles in The Wild Bunch, The Road Warrior, and The Crawling Hand.
- Jimmy Spiegel: He is an American singer-songwriter from Michigan. He is most known for his 2016 album See the News, which reached number 69 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums Chart.
- Benton Spiegel: He was an American comic book artist who worked for Marvel Comics, DC Comics, and other independent publishers. He worked on many titles including Batman, Daredevil, Captain America, and Sandman.
- Jo Spiegel: She is a German photographer most known for her portraits of famous French and German politicians, actors, and artists.
- Lucinda Spiegel: She is an American television producer and entrepreneur who has produced shows for CBS, FOX, and NBC. She is also the founder of Lucinda Productions.
- Otto Spiegel: He was a German-American businessman and inventor who is best known for inventing the first instrument to measure water depth called the “Bathythermograph.”