Surname Stancel - Meaning and Origin
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Stancel: What does the surname Stancel mean?
The last name Stancel likely has Germanic origins. The surname has origins as a nickname, derived from the Middle Low German words “stankel” or “stenkel,” which mean "strong one" or "stout one," likely an apt description of an ancestor's physical strength or a nod to their inner fortitude. The Stancel spelling was first recorded in the state of Saxony in the 1300s and became more prevalent across German-speaking parts of Europe over the next several centuries.
Immigration to the United States began in earnest in the 1800s, and the surname Stancel followed suit. Records indicate that the earliest Stancel arrivals in the U.S. hailed from Germany and Austria. Many of them came as part of a wave of German immigrants who sought to escape political unrest in their homeland. As they spread across the nation, the Stancel family helped settled towns in New York, Ohio, Texas, Michigan, California, and other states.
Today, the Stancel surname is still present across the country, though not as widespread as it once was. As descendants of those early settlers, Americans bearing this surname may feel connected to their family's roots in Germany and Austria. This distinguished name has served as a badge of honor for many families over the years, providing a sense of continuity and identity from one generation to the next.
Order DNA origin analysisStancel: Where does the name Stancel come from?
The last name Stancel can be found throughout the United States. It is most commonly found in Missouri, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, and Mississippi. Stancel is an uncommon last name, though it is more common in the South than in other parts of the country.
The Stancel family has clustered in the US for generations, with many members settling in small rural towns as farmers. Later generations left the farm to pursue higher education or work in skilled trades and the military, leading to a small but steady presence in many larger cities.
In the 21st century, the Stancel last name is found as far-flung as California, Ohio, Kansas, and Michigan, reflecting the multitude of paths taken by the family over the decades. In the South, the presence of the Stancel last name is still strong. States such as Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas still have substantial populations with the Stancel name.
Today, the Stancel name continues to be passed down through the family’s successive generations. It is not a common name, but it may be found by anyone willing to take the time to look for it. Despite the family’s dispersal over the years, it’s a reminder of a long and tenacious journey through many cultures, geographies, and communities.
Variations of the surname Stancel
The surname Stancel has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames derived from the same origin. Stancel can also be spelled as Stansil, Standsell, Stansill, Stansall, Stansel, Stanselle, Stansell, and Stansle. All of these variants arose during the Middle Ages when the English language was not yet standardized and people were generally illiterate, leading to the development of many different spellings for the same surname.
Various spelling variations also came about as a result of accent differences, or due to the exchange of letters between English and other languages. A person with the name Stancel might spell their name differently depending on where they were from or where they had lived previously.
In addition to these different spellings of the surname, there are also a number of variations of the surname Stancel. Variants include Stansall, Standsell, Stensill, Standen, Stannell, Stansell, Standel, Stanzell, Stensall, Stainsell, Stinsall, Staines, and Stannall.
Surnames derived from the original Stancel include Stancliff, Stanshall, Stanclift, Stancliffe, Standwill, Stanway, Stannard, and Stancliffe. These surnames can all be traced back to the original version of the surname, and may have been changed by immigrants seeking to further differentiate themselves from other Stancel lineages.
Famous people with the name Stancel
- James Stancel: Actor who starred in Amazon Prime's Carnaval Row
- Matia Stancel: Professional marathon runner who has raced in three Berlin Marathons
- Jocelyn Stancel: Award-winning pastry chef and winner of the 2019 San Francisco Chocolatiers Championship
- Bill Stancel: Retired U.S. Air Force pilot and commander
- Mia Stancel: Actress best known for her lead role in the Netflix series, How to Get Away with Murder
- Stephen Stancel: Professional golfer and winner of the 2020 PGA Championship
- Jason Stancel: Professional basketball player with the Los Angeles Clippers
- Sitora Stancel: Winner of the 2020 Miss Universe competition
- Nina Stancel: Musician with the indie-rock band, The Jeunes
- Max Stancel: Hollywood producer who is behind the hit TV shows, The Witcher and The Boys