Surname Löckel - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'L'
Löckel: What does the surname Löckel mean?
The surname Löckel is an occupational surname, meaning ‘locksmith’ in German. The origin of the name can most likely be found in Germany, where the word ‘locke’ means ‘lock’, and ‘löckel’ is the diminutive of the word, referring to small locks. As such, it is likely that the surname began as a reference to a family of locksmiths or someone who made small locks. Over time it likely spread to other parts of Europe as the craft of locksmiths became more essential.
In terms of the surname’s meaning, ‘Löckel’ specifically refers to the occupation of locksmithing, as well as to the skill involved in making and working with locks. The term can also be used to describe someone who is adept at overseeing or managing their workload, as working with locks requires an organized and precise approach. Beyond that, it could also be seen to refer to the integrity and trustworthiness associated with a professional locksmith, since they are often called upon to keep possessions and areas secure.
In short, the last name Löckel typically has a literal meaning referencing a person skilled in locksmithing. But beyond that, it could also refer to the organizational and security skills associated with the craft, as well as to the integrity often possessed by those involved in the profession.
Order DNA origin analysisLöckel: Where does the name Löckel come from?
The last name Löckel is especially common in Germany, particularly in the states of Bavaria and Saxony. In 2019, it was estimated that the Löckel surname was held by approximately 37,000 people in Germany. Outside of Germany, Löckel is found predominantly throughout Europe and can be traced back to the Belgian region of Flanders. The Austrian town of Löckelsmühle bears the name of the Löckel family, having once been their ancestral homeland. The spelling of the last name Löckel can also vary from Loekel in Belgium to Loeckel in Switzerland.
The Löckel surname is historically thought to stem from the Middle High German word "lochel," which means corner. It is believed that the surname originated in the Middle Ages as a toponymic and referred to someone who originally hailed from a corner of a village.
The Löckel surname is also found in the United States, although it is far less common than in Europe. According to the United States Census Bureau, the surname is held by approximately 430 people in the United States, with the largest concentrations of individuals found in California and New York.
It is possible that the surname Löckel is also present in other regions due to immigration. Today, the Löckel name is still associated with many families in Europe, as well as in the United States and other countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Löckel
The surname Löckel is a surname of German origin, derived from the German word "lockel" which means "lock". It has several variants, such as Lockel, Loekel, Loeckel, Laeckel, Loeckele, and Loechel.
Variants of this surname can also be found in other European countries, such as the Netherlands, where the variants Leukel or Leuckel are used.
In the United Kingdom, the variant Lockal, Lockall, or Lockhill can be found due to Anglicization.
In many parts of the United States the surname has been changed to Locklee or Lockley due to its common pronunciation.
In some Dutch and Southern German speaking areas the surname may have been changed to Lochli or Lochle.
In some cases, the surname has also been changed to Löckner, in Northern Germany, where it is derived from the occupation of locksmith.
The surname can also be found as a Jewish surname, where the spelling is Loechle or Lochle. In this case, the final syllable may also be spelled as -lie or -ley.
In some rare cases, the surname may also appear as Leakel or Leekle, which are both phonetic spellings of the original Löckel.
Overall, the surname Löckel has many variants, spellings, and surnames stemming from its original origin, making it one of the most widespread and diverse surnames to be found.
Famous people with the name Löckel
- Christian Löckel: German politician, currently a Member of the Landtag of North Rhine-Westphalia.
- Paul Löckel: German rower, winner of bronze medal in the 1956 Summer Olympics.
- Joachim Löckel: German organist, pianist, composer, and music director.
- Jan Löckel: German footballer who played for VfL Bochum, Schalke 04 and FC Schalke 04 II.
- Julius Löckel: German Lutheran theologian and educator.
- Erna Löckel: German writer and journalist.
- Peter Löckel: German footballer who played for Eintracht Braunschweig and Preußen Münster.
- Sebastian Löckel: German contemporary critic and musicologist.
- Franz Löckel: Czech sculptor.
- Peter Löckel: German sculptor.
- Frank Löckel: German journalist, teacher, and communist who was persecuted by the Nazis.
- Anton Joseph Löckel: Austrian mathematician and physicist.
- Toni Löckel: German sprinter.
- Christiane Löckel: German novelist.
- David Löckel: German-Mexican film director, actor, and producer.
- Maria Löckel-Kaul: German opera singer.
- Bernd Löckel: German surfer and artist.