Surname Gäbel - Meaning and Origin
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Gäbel: What does the surname Gäbel mean?
The last name Gäbel is of German origin and was derived from a nickname used to describe someone with a prominent nose. The literal translation of the name is "hook-nosed", which gave rise to the modern spelling Gäbel. During medieval times, this word was used to describe a person characterized by their large and prominent nose.
The root of the name Gäbel can be traced back to the Middle High German term 'gabolt or gabolz', which were derived from the Greek term 'galbein', meaning 'hook-nose', and from the Latin word 'gibba', meaning 'hump'. This ultimately evolved into the word 'Gäbel', which then became the accepted spelling in the modern German language.
The name Gäbel was particularly popular in the Saxon region of Germany and can still be found in various regions today. While the literal translation of the name gave rise to the current spelling, the extended usage of the name developed to also describe someone with an overreaching stature or someone who was inquisitive and eager to learn.
Currently, the Gäbel surname is quite common in Germany today and is also found amongst German emigrants who settled throughout the world. Gäbel families can be found in America, Canada, South Africa, and Europe.
Order DNA origin analysisGäbel: Where does the name Gäbel come from?
The surname Gäbel is most commonly found in Germany and associated regions today.
The surname's German origin can be traced back to the medieval Germanic name 'Gibil,' which was derived from the Old German 'gad.' The surname Gäbel is a patronymic form, which was used in areas which used the German language before the 20th century.
In some cases, this surname can also be a French origin derived from the early French word 'gabel,' meaning a 'fork in the road.'
Today, the surname Gäbel is most commonly found in regions of German-speaking Europe, such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands, Northern France, as well as some parts of Eastern Europe. It is also found in the United States, Canada, and some parts of Central and South America.
In the U.S., Gäbel is the 2,195th most common surname, while in Germany it is the 1,689th most common surname. The surname is more regularly seen among people with Jewish or military backgrounds.
In general, the name Gäbel is seen relatively commonly in many European countries, but most popularly within those associated with the German language and culture.
Variations of the surname Gäbel
Gäbel is a surname of German origin, meaning "smith." It is derived from the Middle High German gaibil, a derivative of the verb gaiben, which means to talk or tell. This surname is found in the records of central Europe dating back to the Middle Ages.
The variant spellings of Gäbel include Gaebel, Gaebeler, Gaebelmann, Gaebelpp and Gaebelpopp. Surnames of similar origin, but derived from different dialects or regions of Germany, are Gabel, Gabele, Gabelmann, Kabel, Kaibel, Kiebel, Kibel, Kiebelmann, Keibel, Gaebelin, Gaebling, Gaebeler, Gaeblen, Goebel, Goebeler, Goebell, Goebelmann, and Goebelpopp.
The first known holder of this surname was Rudelf Gaibel, who was mentioned in a Saxon chronicle in 1147. He was a minister at the court of Henry the Lion in Brunswick. By the 1600s, Gäbel was an established surname in the region. In the 1800s, people bearing the surname Gäbel migrated around Europe and to countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Today, Gäbel is a common surname worldwide. It can be found across Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries.
Famous people with the name Gäbel
- Bill Gäbel: German-American journalist who served as the Vice President of News for National Public Radio (NPR) from 2006-2011.
- Fritz Gäbel: German architect and interior designer, known for designing Europe’s first curved escalator at a shopping centre in Munich in the early 1920s.
- Peter Gäbel: German actor and puppeteer, best known for his long-running puppet show on German television.
- Johannes Gäbel: German composer and writer of lieder, operas and Suites Concertantes.
- Ferdinand Gäbel: renowned German cellist and co-founder of the East GermanBerlin Philharmonic cello section.
- Mathias Gäbel: renowned German journalist and author, best known for his work at Der Spiegel and Die Zeit.
- Kurt Gäbel: German actor and director who starred in several successful German films.
- Hans Gäbel: German actor and director who was the director of the Städtische Bühnen Frankfurt am Main theatre and opera company.
- John Gäbel: German-American process engineer who was awarded the National Medal of Technology for his work on nuclear energy production.
- Klaus Gäbel: German audio engineer, producer and arranger who has worked with a variety of international musical acts.