Surname Rotchel - Meaning and Origin

Rotchel: What does the surname Rotchel mean?

The last name Rotchel derives from the Germanic root “rot” meaning “red.” As a result, it is assumed that the root of Rotchel was derived from the term Rothenburg, which today is a town in the Franconia region of southern Bavaria. The name Rothenburg likely referred to someone who had played a significant role in either the development or rule of the area.

The first time this name was recorded in its current spelling form was in 1273 when it was mentioned in a document in its Latin form, Rothero, which would have been pronounced Roth-ro. Over time, the “ro” at the end of Rothero likely became either an “l” or an “el”, ultimately resulting in the current form of Rotchel.

Thus, Rotchel – or its Medieval Latin form Rothero – generally refers to someone who is from Rothenburg or has direct ties with the area. In the Middle Ages, the surname could also be associated with the Old French “rot” meaning “red”, which could refer to the red hair or complexion of some individuals with the Rotchel surname.

In modern times, the name Rotchel is still quite common throughout Southern Bavaria – particularly in Franconia. Beyond its original origins in Bavaria, the name can now be found all over Europe, including France, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. It’s fair to say that the Rotchel surname – and its various derivatives – is likely to seen, over time, in more and more different countries.

Rotchel: Where does the name Rotchel come from?

The last name Rotchel is particularly common in Germany today. It is believed that the origins of this surname can be traced back to the region between the Moselle and Ruhr Rivers in the west of Germany. In the 18th century, some of the inhabitants of this area adopted the name Rotchel. It is believed that the name was derived from the old German word rot "wheel", and the term Chelle, meaning "small". Thus, the name Rothchel was translated and came to mean the person who owned/manufactured a large wheel.

Today, the last name Rotchel is found in all parts of Germany. It is particularly prevalent in the larger cities, like Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, and Munich, as well as in rural areas of eastern Germany. Outside of Germany, the name Rotchel can also be found in parts of neighboring Austria and Switzerland, as well as in various other German-speaking countries and territories.

In the United States, the surname Rotchel (or variants thereof) is relatively rare. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, there are only 117 people with this last name living in the United States (this figure includes people with all of the variations, such as Rotchelle, Rotechelle, Rotchell, et al). This suggests that the last name Rotchel is still relatively uncommon outside of Germany.

Variations of the surname Rotchel

The surname Rotchel is a unique name, with few alternate spellings or variants. In some cases, these variants may refer to different origins, but the primary spelling of Rotchel does usually have some surnames that can trace back to the same origin.

The most common alternate spellings of Rotchel are Rotchl, Rotchels, Rotchlis, and Rotchlau. These are all fairly minor variations, as the primary spelling is usually the only one used.

In terms of other surnames of similar origin, some may refer to Rotchél, Rottchél, Rotchel, Rotchell, Rotchelle, and Rotcho. All of these variations may be from the same origin, but many of them may share a different root language and spelling than the primary surname Rotchel.

Finally, other surnames derived from Rotchel may include Routchel, Rotcho, Rotchkhom, Rotchhaupt, Rotchef, Rotchego, and Rotcher. Each of these names will likely have their own variations and spellings, but they can generally be traced back to the same origin.

Overall, the surname Rotchel is a unique name, but it can be traced back to some alternate spellings and surnames of similar origin. While many of these variations may have a different root language than the original spelling, they can all be traced back to the same place of origin.

Famous people with the name Rotchel

• Ed Rotch, American businessman and philanthropist.
• Francis X. Rotchel, the 73rd Base Commander of the United States Air Force.
• Anna Rotchel, the Austrian writer and antifascist.
• Hildegard Rotchel, a German musicologist and conductor.
• Yve Rotchel, a former professional boxer from Belgium.
• Eli Rotchel, a former basketball player from Lithuania.
• Johann Rotchel, the 18th-century German sculptor.
• John Rotchel, a professional American lacrosse player.
• Malin Rotchel, a former water polo player from Sweden.
• Birgit Rotchel, the German film director and producer.

Other surnames

RotchellRötcher