Surname Kendel - Meaning and Origin

Kendel: What does the surname Kendel mean?

The surname Kendel is of English origin, derived from the place-name Kendal in Cumbria, Northwestern England. The name Kendal is made of two elements: "Kent", a personal-name possibly of Roman or pre-Roman origin, and "Dale", the old Norse term for "valley". Thus, the name Kendel is often interpreted as meaning "valley on the River Kent".

However, the surname may not necessarily trace back to Cumbria for every family, as names were frequently adopted from localities across the country especially in medieval times. The surname Kendel could, in some cases, also have been derived from other places, or could have represented a phonetic rendition of an unrelated name.

It is also important to note the variations of spelling that exist for this name, including Kendell, Kendall, Kendle, and others, which might have more specific or slightly different origins or meanings. The surname Kendel, like many others, can provide interesting insights into the history and geographical movements of a family lineage.

Kendel: Where does the name Kendel come from?

The surname Kendel is of English origin, specifically from Northern England. It is derived from the town of Kendal in Cumbria. The town’s name was recorded in 1095 as "Kirkby Kendal", meaning "village with a church in the valley of the River Kent". The surname Kendel, thus, could be considered a locational surname, given to those originating from that area.

Locational surnames became a way to distinguish people who migrated to a new area and took the name of their birth place with them. As such, although the surname Kendel originates from the UK, migrations over many centuries mean it could be found in various countries around the world.

Today, according to Forebears, a genealogy site that provides details on surname distributions, the Kendel surname is most prevalent in the United States and has the highest density in Austria. Other countries where this surname is common include England, Germany, and Canada. However, please note that in many cases, this origin theory could vary, as the surname Kendel might have independently evolved in different regions due to phonetic similarities.

Variations of the surname Kendel

The Kendel surname has various spelling variations likely due to phonetic spelling by early scribes and record keepers. The variants include Kendal, Kendel, Kendall, Kendle, Kendoll, Kendale, Kindle, Kendell, Kendill, Kindell, and Kyndall. Note that, these variations can be found throughout the English-speaking world, and may not necessarily indicate a familial connection.

Several surnames share the same origin with Kendel, mostly deriving from Old English terms. Kendel, or its most common variant Kendall, originates from a geographical location in Cumberland, England, named Kendal. The place name roughly translates to 'Valley on the River Kent'. So, surnames that are related with rivers or geographical features might share the same origin such as Kent, Dale, or Valley.

Furthermore, in some cases, Kendel might also be a variant of the German surname Kandel, which can be further traced back to Jewish (Ashkenazic) origins. The surname Carter has also been linked with Kendel as this name was originally given to individuals engaged in the occupation of transporting goods by cart.

A patronymic variant suggests a derivative or a similar surname could be O'Kendall, indicating Irish origin of "descendant of Kendall".

However, it is crucial to remember that surnames could be influenced by many factors across regions and times, hence, changes occur frequently and overlaps might be coincidental rather than indicating a common origin.

Famous people with the name Kendel

• Ashley Kendel: Ashley Kendel is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She rose to prominence in 2018 after her single “Here” became a viral success on social media.
• Morgan Kendel-Morgan Kendel is an American fashion model and Instagram star. She is best known for appeared in the 2019 music video "I Don't Want It" by Madison Beer.
• Jodie Kendel: Jodie Kendel is an award-winning American film and TV costume designer. She has worked on numerous films and shows, including Neighbors, 2 Broke Girls and American Reunion
• Yvonne Kendel: Yvonne Kendel is a Canadian artist and illustrator known for her work in both traditional and digital media. She is best known for her vibrant hand-painted illustrations and distinctive graphic style.
• Ashley Johnson Kendel: Ashley Johnson Kendel is an American professional basketball player for the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA. She was also a member of the USA women's U-19 national basketball team in 2006.
• Stu Kendel: Stu Kendel is an American comedian, actor, writer, and producer. He was a writer and producer on the acclaimed NBC comedy series 30 Rock, and his writing credits also include films such as The Heat and Rough Night.
• Jeff Kendel: Jeff Kendel is an American television writer, producer, and director. He is best known for his work on the Fox TV series 24, Nickelodeon sitcom Rugrats, and the BBC America series Killing Eve.
• Julie Kendel: Julie Kendel is an American Olympic swimmer and gold medalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. She was also a six-time NCAA champion and multiple record holder in the pool.
• Mark Kendel: Mark Kendel is a former professional American football defensive end who played in the National Football League for the New York Giants. He was a third round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft.
• Rocky Kendel: Rocky Kendel is an award-winning American photographer and digital artist. One of his most popular works is "Surface Tension Series", in which he uses appliances to explore the boundaries of beauty and emotional intimacy.

Other surnames

KendeallKendelanKendellKendeloeKenderdine