Surname Lämel - Meaning and Origin
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Lämel: What does the surname Lämel mean?
The last name Lämel is of German origin and is derived from a personal name made up of the elements lieb, meaning ‘lovely’, and mahal, meaning ‘tenderly loved’. The surname is most commonly found in Germany, but there are also variants found in other parts of Europe, such as France, Austria, and the Netherlands. It is believed that the surname Lämel originated in what is now part of Belgium in the 13th century, and has since spread across Europe.
The Lämel surname has an interesting history, as it has been found in the records of both royalty and commoners. For example, in the late 16th century a Lämel family could be found in the Bavarian court of Emperor Maximilian I. This same family were also amongst the crew that set sail at the behest of Lord Murcia, which sailed from Spain to the West Indies.
The meaning behind the surname Lämel could be interpreted as being an indicator of its bearer’s propensity for affection and nostalgia, suggesting a tender and loving nature. It is likely then, that the meaning of the name has been passed down through the generations, as people have identified with the characteristics of the name and sought to pass it down.
Order DNA origin analysisLämel: Where does the name Lämel come from?
The last name Lämel is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland today. It is believed to have originated in the Germanic lands of what is now known as Bavaria or in the Rhineland regions.
The name is derived from the German phrase “Lammlauf” which literally translates to “lamb’s run” in English. This expression may have been used to indicate a person who belonged to a farm community or may have a reference to a skill such as being a fast runner.
In modern times, Lämel is a fairly popular surname in Germany. Data indicates the last name is present in more than 3,300 households in the country. Additionally, records indicate it is most prevalent in the Bavarian region of Germany. Besides these two countries, records from Switzerland, Sweden, and the United States also contain records of the last name Lämel.
Overall, the surname Lämel is quite prominent in German-speaking countries, particularly in Germany, with the highest concentration of the name being located in the Bavarian region. It is believed that the name has an ancient, Germanic origin although its precise root and origin are no longer known.
Variations of the surname Lämel
The surname Lämel is of Germanic origin and is derived from the Middle Low German lāsem or lāemel, which refer to a person who is timid or shy. Variations of the spelling of this surname include Lahmel, La(e)mel, Laemel, Lahmell, Lemmel, and Limel.
Other spellings of the surname found in German records include Laemle, Laemele, Laembli, Laemmli, Laeml, Laemlle, Laemimle, Laemmimle, and Laemml. These spellings are often found in areas of Germany where dialects, such as those spoken in Bavaria, influenced the spelling of names.
Additional derivations of the name are also found. For example, Lemala is a Finnish-language surname that is derived from Lämel and is part of the Finnish tradition of using surnames that are based on familial characteristics, such as size, hair color, or disposition.
Given its Germanic origins, the surname is found most commonly in Germany, the Netherlands, and other German-influenced areas.
Variants of the surname are also found in countries with large German populations, such as Argentina, Brazil, and the states of the former Soviet Union. The variations of La(e)mel that are found in these areas are likely the result of immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Overall, while the spelling of the surname Lämel may vary slightly in different regions, all spellings are considered to be derivatives of the same original name.
Famous people with the name Lämel
- Mario Lämel: German footballer who plays as a full-back for Hertha BSC and the German national team.
- Max Lämel: German actor and filmmaker best known for his roles in Der Name der Rose (The Name of the Rose) and Die Welle (The Wave).
- Gustav Lämel: German mathematician and physicist, best known for the fundamental theorem of algebra which is also known as the Lämel-Cayley theorem.
- John Lämel: British actor best known for his roles in Pearl Harbor and Band of Brothers.
- Martin Lämel: Austrian-born, American-raised philosopher and academic, author of numerous books including The Structure of Thinking, The Problem of Meaning in Cultural Artifacts and The Problem of Meaning in Human Societies.
- Karl Alois Lämel: World War II German Rear Admiral who served in the German Navy from 1910 to 1945.
- Bernhard Lämel: German painter, illustrator and designer of the first German postage stamp.
- Adolph Lämel: German sculptor and architect, best known for his Concert Hall in Berlin.
- Axel Lämel: German politician who served as the leader of the centre-right party CDU in Lower Saxony from 2011 to 2016.
- Franz Lämel: Swiss long-distance runner, bronze medallist at the 1912 Olympic Games.