Surname Bendel - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling the Bendel Legacy: My Journey with iGENEA DNA Analysis
Discovering the historical tapestry woven by my ancestors for my surname 'Bendel' was made possible by the iGENEA DNA analysis. Their flawless process and comprehensive reporting took me through centuries-old pages of history, tracing my roots back to southern Germany, from the sanctified origins of the Latin name 'Benedictus' to the industrious participation of my ancestors in the Swabian cloth industry. This investigation has unraveled the story of my name, amplifying my comprehending of my identity.
M. Bendel
read moreBendel: What does the surname Bendel mean?
The surname Bendel is a German and Jewish name derived from the German word 'bendel' which means 'little flag'. The surname has its roots in the medieval city of Bamberg in Bavaria. During the Reign of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles IV, Bamberg was given the right to give many of its citizens the hereditary surname of Bendel, meaning 'flag bearer', as those citizens willingly served as banners for the imperial forces.
The surname then spread throughout the Holy Roman Empire during the medieval period, eventually reaching the Yiddish speaking regions of Eastern Europe. Consequently, Bendel was adopted as a Jewish surname by some members of the Jewish diaspora, having taken on a Hebrew spelling of the name. This spelling has been known to vary from Bändel, Bendehl, Bende, Bande, and Bendel.
Bendel can now be found in many parts of Europe, but most prominently in parts of Germany, France, and Poland. In the United States, the Bendel surname spread through immigration during the 19th and 20th centuries. There, the surname has been anglicized to Benzel, Bendle, and Bändel.
The Bendel family has a long and proud heritage, having served the imperial forces during the medieval period and making a permanent mark in history. Now, the surname holds a legacy of industriousness, honor, and commitment to service.
Order DNA origin analysisBendel: Where does the name Bendel come from?
The last name Bendel is believed to have originally derived from the German language, where Bendel literally translates to 'Bending of the Willow Tree' and where the initial name holders likely held the profession of furniture-maker or willow-baskets crafter.
Today, Bendel is thought to be primarily concentrated in Germany, USA and Canada, although others can also be found living in Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Brazil and the UK. In Germany, Bendel is one of 7,000 most common names in the country and is estimated to be held by up to 6,000 people. According to the 2020 US census, 6,852 Americans are recorded as having the last name Bendel, with the majority of them living in Texas.
In terms of modern celebrities, celebrity chef Thomas Keller bares the last name of Bendel. American model, actress and singer Hannah Bronfman is also frequently referred to by her professional name, HBendel. Aside from celebrities, media entrepreneur, YouTuber and podcast creator Taryn Nicole often used Bendel as her surname.
Ultimately, Bendel is a relatively uncommon last name, but one that appears to have a global spread.
Variations of the surname Bendel
The surname Bendel is a German, Jewish, and English surname that is derived from the Middle High German word “bende/bende” which means “hump” or “summit.” Hence, the name Bendel literally means “of the hump” or “of the summit.”
In its German linguistic form there are many variants and spellings which include Bendele, Bendener, Bendar, Bendelein, Bendeleben, Bendeler, Bendler, Bendle, Bendloff, Bendloh, Bendly, Bendmeyer and Benz.
In its Jewish language form, the spellings and variants of Bendel are Bendelov, Bendlinsky, Bendelson, Bendle, Bendleman, Bendler and Bendzin.
In its English language form, Bendel is also spelled as Bendall, Bendell, Bendle, Bendleman and Bendler.
The Bendel surname is found throughout the world with populations originating primarily from Germany, England, and France.
Famous people with the name Bendel
- Henry Bendel: luxury retailer and fashion icon
- Elias Bendel: 19th century artist
- Walter Bendel: German expressionist artist
- Devorah Bendel: filmmaker
- Gelsey Kirkland: Russian-American prima ballerina and choreographer
- Michael Bendel: CFO of Takeda Pharmaceuticals
- Benjamin Bendel: entrepreneur and venture capital executive
- Claire Bendel: contemporary mixed media artist
- Dmitry Bendel: Russian-born American fashion designer
- Claudia Bendel: German actress