Last Name Ebel

The surname "Ebel" is of Germanic origin. It derives from a personal name "Ebelo", which was composed of the elements "eba" (yew tree) and "-hari" (army). Over time, this personal name transformed into the last name Ebel in various parts of Germany, particularly in Bavaria and Westphalia. The name may have been borne by someone who had a yew tree-like appearance or was associated with a yew tree, symbolizing strength or longevity. As with many surnames, the specific origin of Ebel for an individual family may vary depending on their particular regional history and traditions.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Ebel

The meaning and origin of the last name Ebel

The surname Ebel is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "Ebel" which means "hawk" or "eagle." It was often used as an occupational name for a falconer, one who trained hawks and other birds of prey for hunting. Over time, it also came to be used as a topographical name for someone who lived near a place where eagles nested. The surname Ebel has various spellings including Aebel, Aebli, Aeble, and Eebel due to spelling variations in different regions and eras. It is most common today in Switzerland, Germany, and the United States.

Geographical distribution of the last name Ebel

The surname Ebel has a predominantly European distribution, with significant concentrations found in Germany and Switzerland, reflecting its Germanic origins. In Germany, it is most frequent in the regions of Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Baden-Württemberg, and North Rhine-Westphalia. In Switzerland, it is more prevalent in the cantons of Aargau, Basel-Land, St. Gallen, and Zürich. The name has also been recorded in smaller numbers in other parts of Europe, such as Belgium, France, and Austria, as well as in North America, particularly the United States, due to immigration from Germany and Switzerland. In addition, there are scattered instances of the Ebel surname in Australia and South Africa, largely attributed to European settlers.

Variants and spellings of the last name Ebel

The surname Ebel has various spellings and pronunciations, which may differ based on regional dialects or historical records. Some common variants include: Eebel, Ebehl, Eibel, Eybel, and even Aebel in some parts of Germany where the letter "a" is pronounced like "e." Other variations might be Ebelhoff, Ebelt, Ebelein, or Ebell. These variations can also appear with diacritics such as Eбель (Cyrillic), Ébel (French), or Ēbel (Icelandic). It is important to note that the correct spelling of any name depends on its historical origin and how it has been passed down through generations.

Famous people with the last name Ebel

Notable individuals sharing the surname Ebel include:

1. Adolf Friedrich Ebel (1871-1929), a Swiss sculptor and painter known for his religious works and portraits, including "The Last Supper" in the Münster Cathedral.

2. Andreas Ebel (born 1954), a German football coach who led FC Bayern Munich to their first-ever UEFA Cup title in 1996.

3. Christian Wilhelm Ernst Ebel (1804-1878), a Swiss botanist and pharmacist, known for his work on cryptogams, particularly algae and fungi.

4. Erich Ebel (1920-1945), a German fighter ace during World War II, credited with shooting down 137 enemy aircraft.

5. Friedrich Ebel (1869-1925), a German philosopher and theologian who was one of the pioneers in the study of the philosophy of religion in Germany.

6. Peter Ebel (born 1943), a retired East German swimmer who won multiple Olympic medals, including two golds at the 1968 Olympics.

Genealogical research on the last name Ebel

The surname Ebel is of German origin, derived from the Old High German "Ebalo," a personal name borne by various figures in early medieval Germany and Scandinavia. Its earliest known bearer was Eobaldus, Bishop of Regensburg (821-836), who contributed to the development of the monastery at Fulda. The name spread across Europe with Germanic migrations during the Middle Ages, particularly in territories that were part of the Holy Roman Empire. Variations include Ebeling, Eibel, and Eibl. Notable individuals bearing the name Ebel include Johann Heinrich Ebel (1764-1829), a German entomologist who made significant contributions to the field of insect classification; and John D. Ebel (b. 1953), an American theoretical physicist specializing in quantum field theory and statistical mechanics. The name remains relatively common in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Ebel"
• 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 : 12 June 2025

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