Surname Siegal - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Siegal: What does the surname Siegal mean?
The last name Siegal is of Ashkenazi Jewish origin. It is derived from the Yiddish word "Ziegel," which mean 'brick.' In the medieval guild system, it was often associated with bricklayers or brick makers, indicating that the name likely arose as an occupational surname. Sometimes it's also spelled as Siegel, Segal or Sigel. The Siegal surname might suggest a family history of hard, meticulous work, as creating bricks is an intricate and labor-intensive process. Like many other surnames, this name provides a link to the past, revealing something about the family's ancestry or trade. Many people with this surname can be found in countries like the United States, England, and Israel, as well as across Europe, reflecting the diaspora of the Jewish population throughout history.
Order DNA origin analysisSiegal: Where does the name Siegal come from?
The last name Siegal is most commonly found today in the United States, particularly in the states of New York and Florida. The name has German roots and is believed to have originated from the medieval language of Bavaria, where it was written as Siegel. Records indicate it first appeared in the United States in the 1700s, when members of the Siegal family emigrated from Germany and settled in the south.
In modern times, Siegal remains a predominantly Jewish name. According to the United States Census Bureau, it is among the top 1,000 surnames in the United States, peaking in popularity in 1947 at position 385. The JewishGen Last Name Database indicates a total of 5,127 individuals with the last name currently living in the US.
The strongest concentration of Siegal families is in New York. A combination of records from the US Census and JewishGen indicates that over 30% of those with the name siegal can be found in the city. Florida, New Jersey, California, and Massachusetts are some of the other states in the US that are home to significant numbers of Siegel residents.
Beyond the United States, last name Siegal can also be found further afield in countries such as Ukraine, France and Australia, albeit in small numbers.
Variations of the surname Siegal
The surname Siegal is an Ashkenazi Jewish name from the biblical Hebrew word for "victory," which is "sigal." It is a variation of the name Segal, Sigal, Sigel, Seigel, Sigall, Seigal, Siegall, or Seigall.
The Seigel version of the name is the most common spelling, although all of them are virtual variations of the same name. Some of the other spellings include Sigall, Seigal and Siegall.
The Seigel spelling is also sometimes seen with a double “e” in the middle, making the full spelling Siegel. This variation of the name has been popularized by a number of recognizable names including cartoonist Max Siegel and Jewish performer Steve Siegel.
Often times, those who bear the surname may have a variant of the name—for example, Siegelbaum, Segall, Seigle or Sigal. These names may have also been passed down through families, while some may have adopted the name at one point or another.
Other surnames that can possibly be traced to the Siegal name are Ziegel, Zigel, Segall, Siegelman, Siegeman, Sigalov, Segalow or Sigler. These surnames may have been adopted by families who were aware of their connection to the Siegal lineage, or alternatively these variants may have arisen by local dialects or other misdeclarations.
No matter how it is spelled, the Siegal surname has a proud history, extending back in time to the biblical story of Jacob. In the modern world, the name is known as a representation of one's Jewish heritage and carries an important meaning of victory and honor.
Famous people with the name Siegal
- Noam Siagel: Actor and Producer
- Samuel Siagel: Actor and Fascimile Artist
- Tony Siagel: American Wrestler
- R.J. Siegel: Screenwriter and Playwright
- Jim Siegel: Former Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives
- Elisa Siegel: Comedian, Actress, and Author
- David Siagel: Author and Professor
- Joanna Siegal: Actress and Professional Pianist
- Michael Siegal: Former Chairman and CEO of the Cleveland Browns
- Andrew Siagel: Voice Actor
- Steven Siegal: Television Producer
- John Siagel: Visual Effects Artist
- Katharine Siegal: Voice Actress
- Samuel Siegel: Founder and President of UnCommon Logic
- Harvey Siagel: Founder of Siagel Productions
- Mike Siegel: Cinematographer
- Dan Siegel: Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California, Berkeley
- Dr. Saul Siegel: Attending Physician at Lincoln Hospital
- David Siegel: Billionaire and Creator of Westgate Resorts
- Michael Siegel: Digital Artist and Founder of 3D-LD Design Company