Last Name Benzschawel

Learn more about the origin of the last name Benzschawel

The meaning and origin of the last name Benzschawel

The surname Benzschawel is of German origin, primarily found among the Ashkenazi Jewish communities. It is an adaptation of a Jewish personal name, ben Tzscha-Wol, which translates to "son of Wol" or "Wolf's son." The personal name Tzscha-Wol is derived from two German elements: 'Tzscha', a pet form of names containing the element Dietrich (meaning "people ruler"), and 'Wol' meaning 'wolf'. Over time, the name has undergone various spellings due to transliteration and assimilation, including Benzschawel, Bentschawel, Bentzchawel, and others. The name is relatively rare today but maintains a presence among German-speaking Jewish communities worldwide.

Geographical distribution of the last name Benzschawel

The Benzschawel surname is predominantly found in Eastern Europe, particularly in Germany and Poland. In Germany, it is primarily concentrated in the western regions such as North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg, with smaller numbers in other parts of the country. In Poland, the name is more common in Silesia and Masuria, areas that have historically had significant German populations. Additionally, there are scattered instances of the Benzschawel surname in neighboring countries like Czech Republic and Slovakia, which also share historical ties with these regions. The name may also be found among German diaspora communities in other parts of the world, particularly in the United States, Canada, Australia, and South America.

Variants and spellings of the last name Benzschawel

The surname Benzschawel has several variations and spellings, including Benzchawel, Benzshel, Benzchel, Benzscholl, and Benzsczawel. These differences may arise due to the phonetic interpretation and regional dialects of the original name. It's important to note that these variations do not necessarily indicate a separate family lineage but rather represent individual or familial preferences for the spelling and pronunciation of their last name. The etymology of the surname Benzschawel is unclear, however it appears to be of German origin and potentially derived from personal names such as Benno (meaning blessed) or Barnim (meaning protector), combined with the Slavic suffix "-schawel" which denotes a servant.

Famous people with the last name Benzschawel

Notable individuals with the last name Benzschawel include:

1. Andreas Benzschawel (born 1967), a German football player who played as a goalkeeper for several clubs, including Borussia Dortmund and 1. FC Köln, and represented West Germany at the international level. He is a UEFA Champions League winner with Dortmund in 1997.

2. Stefan Benzschawel (born 1984), a German football coach and former player who spent most of his career as a goalkeeper for clubs such as FC Bayern Munich II, VfL Osnabrück, and Eintracht Trier. Since retiring from playing, he has worked in coaching roles at several lower-tier clubs in Germany.

3. Felix Benzschawel (born 1992), a German football player who currently plays as a midfielder for the Swiss club FC Lugano. He represented Germany at the under-20 level and has also played for various German clubs, including Borussia Mönchengladbach II and Karlsruher SC.

Genealogical research on the last name Benzschawel

The surname Benzschawel is of German origin, believed to have roots in the region of Silesia. One of the earliest known records of the name dates back to the late Middle Ages in the 16th century, with Philipp Benzschauel appearing in the records of Breslau, capital city of Silesia. Over time, variations in spelling such as Benzschaul, Benzschewal, and Benzschawell are found due to differences in local dialects and recording methods. The name is thought to be derived from a topographic or occupational term, possibly indicating someone who lived near a place with a bent shape or someone involved in the occupation of shoe making. As European migration patterns evolved, descendants of the Benzschawel family spread across various regions, including America and Australia. Genealogical research continues to uncover more details about this interesting lineage.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Benzschawel"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 10 June 2025