Surname Kergl - Meaning and Origin

Kergl: What does the surname Kergl mean?

The last name Kergl is believed to be of Germanic origin and is found mainly in Germany, Austria, and Slovenia, as well as in other parts of Central and Eastern Europe. It is believed to have derived from the old Germanic language and is thought to have originally meant ‘someone from the offices’ or ‘from the church’.

The surname Kergl is thought to have originated during the medieval period, when members of church and bureaucratic offices took on surnames as a way to designate their place of origin. It is thought that the Kergl family name comes from a particular region or town in Germany, Austria, or another nearby part of Europe where the surname was prevalent.

The Kergl surname is more commonly seen in Germany and Austria, where it is most commonly found among professional and clerical families. It is also sometimes seen in other parts of central and eastern Europe, where it might have migrated with its bearers as they moved eastward. In modern times, the Kergl name is still found in Germany and Austria, as well as in other places around the world. Those bearing the name may have moved on from their family’s ancestral home, or may have come from other countries seeking new opportunities.

No matter where it is found today, the Kergl surname carries with it a certain legacy of its history and origin, with its bearer representing a unique part of their culture and heritage.

Kergl: Where does the name Kergl come from?

Kergl is an Austrian surname common today in southern, central, and eastern parts of Austria, as well as parts of Lower Austria and Upper Austria. The name can also be found in various areas of Germany, Switzerland, and some other European countries like France, Italy, Slovakia, and Slovenia. In Austria, Kergl is the 206th most common last name and is most densely populated in the eastern part of Austria with Vienna, Graz, and Linz having the highest numbers of people with this last name. In Germany, the surname is less common, appearing mainly in parts of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Berlin.

The name could originate from the German verb "kirgeln" which means "to make loud noises". This could be in reference to a person's loud or boisterous nature that they may have been known for, or it could be a reference to the small town of Kergl in Austria. Interestingly the town is located near the Slovenian and Hungarian borders, which could indicate Kergl is connected to Levant and Balkan countries as well.

Outside of Europe, the name Kergl is hardly present. There are some reports of people with this last name living in North America, and even fewer reports in Australia, New Zealand, and China. It appears this ancient Austrian name is still present in eastern Europe, but is nowhere near as common as it once was.

Variations of the surname Kergl

The surname Kergl is an occupational surname commonly found in Austria and the Netherlands. It has a number of alternate spellings, variants and surnames of the same origin. The most common of these is Kergel, Kergle, Kergelmann, Kergl, Kirgle, Kergle in German and Geergelde in Dutch.

The origin of the surname is thought to have originated with a person who worked as a barrel-maker in the late eighteenth century. The Kergl form of the name likely refers to the German word kesse or kere, which refers to a round-shaped vessel. The Kergel form of the name evolved from the original Kergl in the late nineteenth century and appears to be a Germanized form due to a migration from what is now Austria to Germany.

The Kergl surname is also linked to the tree-felling and forestry industry and is thought to have evolved from the stem Ker- meaning horn, and gl meaning sharp, which may have referred to the practice of hand-cutting trees or felling them with tools.

The Kergel version of the surname is derived from the root of the name, which in the eighteenth century was translated to mean “Maker of Barrels” or “Feller of Trees”. Other variants include Kercken, Kerkau, Kerkule, Kerkman and Kerkmeer.

The Kergel surname has also spread to other countries, including the United States, with some people changing the pronunciation to Gergel or Garkel. Other related surnames include Kermes, Kermesly, Kersch or Kerschen.

Famous people with the name Kergl

• Francis Kergl: Francis Kergl was a professional basketball player for the National Basketball League's Syracuse Nationals. He started his USA professional career playing for the Cities Services Oilers in 1946 and went on to have a successful career playing for the Nationals.
• Francis Kergl Jr.: Francis Kergl Jr. is the son of Francis Kergl and has also seen success as a basketball player, most notably playing for the House of David Tribe. He also enjoyed a successful stint playing professionally in Ireland.
• Georg Kergl: The German sculptor and painter Georg Kergl has been showing his art works in galleries for over 50 years. He is a master of wood carving, stone carving and metal casting.
• Eduard Kergl: Eduard Kergl was a successful Austrian antiquities dealer, specializing in ancient Egyptian, Near Eastern and Greek antiquities. He ran his shop and made business trips in the 1950s and beyond.
• Jane Kergl: Jane Kergl is an American actress who has appeared in a wide variety of films and television shows. She is best known for her supporting roles in the films Careful What You Wish For, No Good Deed and Zodiac.
• John Kergl: John Kergl was an American politician who served as Mayor of Holtsville, New York from 1961 to 1965. He was a member of the Republican Party.
• Bernd Kergl: Bernd Kergl is a German mountaineer who has climbed a number of peak, most notably Mount Everest. He has made five successful ascents of the mountain and is one of the world's most experienced mountaineers.

Other surnames

KergallKergelKerger