Surname Merkele - Meaning and Origin
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Merkele: What does the surname Merkele mean?
The last name Merkele is a German surname derived from the root word “Marke” meaning a boundaried area or land. Later on, it was combined with “Le,” which typically indicates an individual who owned or lived within the marble that was so marked. This origin of the name likely refers to a family who owned a marked plot of land in Germany. It is also speculated that the name could have been adapted from the location Markle, a village in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.
The surname Merkele is not particularly widespread and is found primarily in Germany, but it also exists in other countries, most notably the United States, in very small numbers. Additionally, the variant “Merkel” appears in non-German speaking nations such as South Africa, Canada, and New Zealand.
The name Merkele arose well before the dawn of the modern era, making it difficult to trace its meaning much further back. However, it’s clear that its Germanic origins make the name indicative of an individual or family who lived within a marked area of land in Germany. The name has undergone slight changes in variants as it has spread, all of which suggest a prominent and meaningful origin.
Order DNA origin analysisMerkele: Where does the name Merkele come from?
The surname Merkele is most common in parts of Germany, especially in the states of Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemburg. It is also found in Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary. Additionally, it can be found in some parts of Slovakia, and there are even a few bearers of the name in France, Italy, and the United States.
The Merkele surname is likely derived from the German word mark(en), which means ‘to mark or inscribe’. It was likely a topographic name, given to those who lived near a boundary, or who created and maintained boundaries between different properties. Additionally, it could have been a job name given to those who worked in official cartography.
The Merkele surname has seen a few variations over the centuries. These include Merkel, Markle, Merkle, and Mirchele. It is common to find the name spelled differently from one country to the next, since the record-keeping practices of various governments can lead to alternative spellings of names as they are transcribed.
In Germany, Merkele is most common in areas along the northern border, including the states of Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemburg. The name is also found in some of the smaller surrounding states, especially those bordering Switzerland, Austria, and Belgium. Meanwhile, it can also be found in small concentrations in other European countries, such as Slovakia and France.
In the United States, Merkele is a rare surname, but there are a few bearers of the name living in Pennsylvania, California, Idaho, and Montana. The name is also found in parts of Canada, and in small numbers in Brazil, Australia, and South Africa.
Variations of the surname Merkele
Merkele is a German surname that may have descended from Middle High German merkel, which means mayor, judge, or steward. The surname Merkele has a number of alternate spellings, including Markel, Marquelle, Marquel, Markell, Merciel, and Markill.
In the United States, both Merkele and Markel are most common as surnames. The variant surnames have both German and French roots. In France, Marchell, Mercille and Marquelle are found, while Marchel, Markele, Markill and Merciel are more likely to be found in Germany.
The surnames Markeley, Merkely, Markley, and Marcley may also have originated from Merkele. These variant spellings often refer to those who were contemporaries of, or related to, those with the name Merkele. Merkeley is particularly well-known in England, with Stamford, Lincolnshire having a high concentration of those with the name.
In addition to the many spelling variations, the Merkele surname may also be found as a variation under the different prefixes of Merkle. Common variations include Merkley, Mersley, Merklie, Merckley, and Merklen. It is also sometimes used as a first name, and the full form Merkele is often found as Markéle or Markale.
In summary, the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the Merkele surname are Markel, Marquelle, Marquel, Markell, Merciel, Markill, Markeley, Merkely, Markley, Marcley, Merkley, Mersley, Merklie, Merckley, Merklen, Markéle, and Markale.
Famous people with the name Merkele
- Angela Merkel: Angela Merkel is a German politician and the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). She has served as Chancellor of Germany since 2005, making her the longest-serving democratically elected chancellor in the history of Germany. She is sometimes referred to as the de facto leader of the European Union.
- Arnold Merkele: Arnold Merkele was a German composer and musician who was active during the Baroque period. He composed his own music for both the organ and keyboard instruments, as well as church motets and chamber music.
- Diana Merkele: Diana Merkele is a German television presenter and journalist. She is best known for co-hosting "Die Sendung mit der Maus" (The Show with the Mouse).
- Reinhard Merkel: Reinhard Merkel is a German judge who is a former President of the Federal Court of Justice of Germany and former Chairman of the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
- Jonathan Merkele: Jonathan Merkele is a German rapper who has become increasingly popular since the release of his debut album "Feuer und Flamme" in 2020.
- Wilhelm Merkele: Wilhelm Merkele was a German theologian and theologian of the Protestant Reformation. He was a controversial figure in his day due to his critical views of Roman Catholicism and his support for Protestantism.
- Gunter Merkele: Gunter Merkele was a German lawyer and politician. He served as a member of the West German Bundestag for the Christian Democratic Union from 1972 to 1990.