Surname Hockel - Meaning and Origin

Hockel: What does the surname Hockel mean?

The last name Hockel is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word Hockele, meaning ‘a corner or nook’. It was most likely originally a topographic name, given to someone living in or near a corner or a nook. Later, it may have become a habitational name derived from a place name such as Hoeken, in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany.

It is also likely that the name could have grown from a nickname, referencing perhaps someone who was small in stature or particularly lively and ‘nooking’ around a corner. Hockel was also a common surname in the Middle Ages, commonly seen in the Duchy of Franconia and variants of it are found in many European countries.

In the United States, Hockel is most often seen in Pennsylvania and several other parts of the country. In 2019, Hockel made up 0.001% of the population in the United States. Today, it is still occasionally used as a surname.

The surname is still relatively uncommon in the wider world, but is a reminder of the small corner or nook from which this name originated.

Hockel: Where does the name Hockel come from?

The last name Hockel is most commonly found in Germany today. It is among the most popular of German family names, typically being found in the northern regions around Saxony and Brandenburg.

The name Hockel can be traced back to the Middle Ages in Germany. At that time this surname was found among the Dutch-speaking inhabitants of an area known as Frisia, which today is part of North-Holland province in the Netherlands.

In the 18th and 19th century, the Hockel family started to migrate east, eventually settling in Northern Germany. Many of them instead chose to settle in other countries. That is why there are various variations of the name, such as Hocken, Hockelmann and Hochreiter, as well.

Today, there are an estimated 2,000 individuals in Germany with the last name Hockel. The majority of these people live in either Berlin or Lower Saxony, although smaller numbers can be found in other regions in the country.

Outside of Germany, the last name Hockel can occasionally be seen in the United States, Canada, and some other European countries. This is most likely because of German immigrants who moved abroad and retained their last name.

Variations of the surname Hockel

The surname Hockel has been spelled many different ways over the years, including Hokel, Hocke, Hockl, Hoecke and Hoekel, among others. It is believed to be of German origin and was typically used as a patronymic, meaning it was derived from the first name of the father.

The variants for the surname Hockel are also quite extensive. Depending on where the family immigrated to, and their own personal preferences, they could have adopted spelling variations such as Hokkel, Hoeckle, Hoechle, Hockal, Hockle, Hockelman, Hocken, Hockenhull, and Hockes.

In addition to variants of the surname, there are numerous surnames derived from the same root. Surnames such as Hockemeyer, Hockersmith, Hockensmith, Hockenbrock, Hocking, and Hoogerhyde can all trace their origins back to the surname Hockel.

Some of the variations of the surname may also appear in other countries, like England, where the names Hockle, Dockley, and Dockley may be found. There are also Dutch variations such as Hoek, Hoekman, and Hoekstra.

Ultimately, because of the range of spellings and names, those with the surname Hockel can have trouble tracing the origins of their surname. As a result, researching family histories and utilizing early records, such as those from the 1600s, is essential for accurately uncovering more information about the origins and variants of the surname.

Famous people with the name Hockel

• Uri Hockel, Israeli lawyer and professor.
• Rachel Hockel, an Australian television presenter and artist.
• Hans Hockel, an Austrian physicist and author.
• Erich Hockel, a German architect and sculptor.
• Paul Hockel, a French engineer and politician.
• Arnold Hockel, a Dutch swimmer and official.
• Johan Jackson Hockel, an East German football player.
• Erwin Hockel, a German painter and draftsman.
• Ernst Hockel, a Swiss painter and professor of art.
• Wilma Hockel, an American artist and sculptor.
• Kurt Hockel, a Swiss-German author and photographer.
• Gene Hockel, an American Major League Baseball pitcher.
• Helmut Hockel, an Austrian slalom kayaker.
• Hannah Hockel, a German ice hockey player.
• Richard Hockel, a New Zealand painter and printmaker.
• Tony Hockel, an Australian rugby league player and coach.
• Petra Hockel, a German breaststroke swimmer.
• Mathilde Hockel, a German Handball player.
• Rudolf Hockl, an Austrian illustrator and graphic designer.
• Charlotte Hockel, a Canadian opera singer.

Other surnames

HockenHöckenschniederHockerHöckerHockeridgeHockersmithHockertHöckertHockertsHockertzHockett