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Surname Bickel - Meaning and Origin

all surnames with 'B'

A Voyage into My Genetic Heritage: Unveiling the Unexpected Bickel Lineage

I decided to take the iGENEA DNA test to unveil the truth about my ancestor's line named Bickel. The findings revealed an ancestry rich in cultural, geographical, and historical diversity, from Celtic ties to Viking lineage, reshaping my self-understanding.

W. Bickel

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Bickel: What does the surname Bickel mean?

The surname Bickel is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "Bickel," which means "pickaxe" or "chisel," indicating a person who worked with such tools. These workers could have been involved in various occupations such as mining, stone-carving, or construction.

It's also possible that Bickel began as a nickname for someone who was perceived to be as hard or unyielding as a pickaxe. Furthermore, it might have been given to individuals who lived near distinctive geological features like a rocky hill or outcrop, recognizable by its distinct "chiseled" appearance in the landscape.

Like many other German surnames, Bickel is also a place name. There is a town in Germany named Bickelsberg and someone originally from this town could have been referred to as "Bickel."

It's important to remember that surnames can have multiple origins and meanings, often related to the social, occupational, and geographical context in which they were first used.

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Bickel: Where does the name Bickel come from?

The last name Bickel is most common in the United States today, with the highest concentrations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. It is estimated that over 36,700 individuals have this last name in the United States.

The name Bickel originated in Germany and is derived from the names Bittig, Pickel, and Bickler. It is largely believed that the English surname is derived from Germanic elements, biot and kyl, meaning “warrior” and “wood”, respectively.

In the United States, the Bickel family was among the earliest migrants from Germany, arriving in America in the 17th and 18th centuries. Many of the first immigrants to America were German Palatines. These immigrants were, and are, known for their strength, courage, and leadership in developing the cultural foundations in their new homeland.

Today, the distribution of the Bickel surname lies primarily in the US, with much higher concentrations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia than in other states. However, one can still find many individuals with the surname across other states throughout the US.

Variations of the surname Bickel

The surname Bickel has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These variations include Bicel, Bichel, Bickell, Bickels, Bickelmann, and Bickelhaupt.

The surname is of Germanic origin. In Germany, the surname ‘Bickel’ is derived from the Old German word ‘bigo’ which means ‘strong’ or ‘powerful’.

The surname appears in many parts of Europe, including Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France, Poland, and the Czech Republic. The most common variations of the surname are Bickel, Bickelmann, and Bichel.

In some countries, the spelling of the surname has changed over time, such as in Austria, where it is spelled ‘Bichel’, or in Poland, where it is spelled ‘Bickelhaupt’.

In the United States, the surname was first brought to the country by German-speaking immigrants in the eighteenth century. It has since spread throughout the country, where it can be found in recordings such as the United States Census, birth and marriage records, and other public documents.

Thus, although the Bickel surname is of primarily Germanic origin, over time, it has spread across Europe and the United States, with many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Bickel

  • Ryan Bickel, American track and field athlete
  • Kyle Bickel, American fisherman and reality TV star
  • John Bickel, American composer, musician, and sound designer
  • Elijah Bickel, American professional basketball player
  • Chris Bickel, American film and television director
  • Scott Bickel, American retired Major League Baseball player
  • Cassidy Bickel, American beauty pageant titleholder
  • Jack Bickel, American football player and coach
  • Ethan Bickel, American music producer
  • Steve Bickel, American basketball referee
  • Rick Bickel, American Geneticist and Plant Breeder
  • Roger Bickel, American meteorologist
  • Peter Bickel, German mathematician
  • Tom Bickel, American film art director
  • Steve Bickel, American businessman and entrepreneur
  • Christian Bickel, American linguist
  • Jay Bickel, American actor
  • Joan Bickel, German contemporary painter
  • Stefan Bickel, German economist
  • Davina Bickel, German handball player

Other surnames

BickelhauptBickenerBickerBickerstaffBickerstaffeBickersteth

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