NomOrigine Background

Last Name Engel

What is the origin of the last name Engel?

The surname "Engel" is of German origin. It is an occupational name for a messenger or herald, derived from the Middle High German word "engil", meaning "angel". Alternatively, it may be a short form of names containing the element "Engelbert", which means "bright as an angel". The surname became widely distributed in Germany and was later carried to other parts of Europe by German settlers.

Unlock and discover the hidden secrets of the surname Engel

Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now

For only 3.95 $, you get:

  • Full access for 7 days
  • Unlimited access to all name and surname profiles
  • High-quality Origin Certificate
  • Download: Keep a precious memory with your origins downloadable in PDF format.
  • Unlimited search
  • Ad-Free: Enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted user experience.
  • ✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now
🎁 Special offer today: 3.95 $ instead of 6.95 $
⏳ This exclusive offer expires in:

✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!

What our users say

“I discovered fascinating details about my family history. This service is amazing for tracing our roots!” - Jean D.

“This site strengthened our sense of family belonging by uncovering our origins. Highly recommended!” - Marie L.

“The information was detailed and accurate. I learned interesting facts about my ancestors. A must-have!” - Paul S.

✅ Join the 5,000+ people who have already discovered the fascinating history of their last name!

Discover my family history now

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What will I discover by exploring my last name?
Answer: You will discover the geographical origin, etymology, and unique history of your last name. You can also explore family traditions and historical events connected to it.

Question: How long does it take to access the information?
Answer: Once your payment is confirmed, access is instant. You can start exploring right away.

Question: Are the details about my last name accurate?
Answer: Our data comes from extensive research in reliable archives and historical databases. While we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, we strive to provide the most complete and precise information possible.

Payment Information

or pay by card

By clicking 'Confirm my payment', you agree to our refund policy, accessible via this link: Refund Policy, as well as our cancellation policy accessible via this link: Cancellation Policy

Learn more about the origin of the last name Engel

The meaning and origin of the last name Engel

The surname Engel is of German and Jewish origins, deriving from two distinct roots: one from the Middle High German word "engil," meaning "angel," and the other from the Yiddish term "Engel," meaning "messenger." In German-speaking regions, the name was often given to children born at Christmas time, symbolizing the angels who announced Christ's birth. Among Ashkenazi Jews, it became a patronymic name, indicating that the original bearer was the son of an individual named Engel. Over time, variations such as Engles, Engle, and Angel have emerged due to spelling changes and assimilation into different cultures. Today, the surname Engel is predominantly found in Germany, the United States, and other countries with significant German or Jewish populations.

Geographical distribution of the last name Engel

The last name Engel is predominantly distributed in German-speaking regions, with a significant concentration in Germany and Switzerland. It also has a noticeable presence in Austria, as well as among the German diaspora in various parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa. The name originated from the Old High German "engil," meaning "angel" or "messenger," reflecting its early adoption by individuals associated with religious and administrative roles. The widespread dispersal of the Engel surname is due to historical events such as migration during the Middle Ages, the Protestant Reformation, and subsequent waves of immigration in modern times.

Variants and spellings of the last name Engel

The surname Engel has several variations and spellings across different regions and languages. Some common variants include: Angel, Engle, Ingle, Angelo, Aengel, Aengle, Engels, and Engell. These variations can result from spelling changes over time, regional dialects, or translation into other languages. For instance, the name Engel in Germanic languages is derived from the Old High German 'Engil', which means "angel" or "messenger". Similarly, in Italian, Angelo means "angel", and in Spanish, Ángel has a similar meaning. The variations can also stem from linguistic assimilation with other words, such as Ingle becoming Engle due to influence from the English language. These variations serve as reminders of the family's origins or migration history.

Famous people with the last name Engel

Notable individuals bearing the surname Engel include:

1. Friedrich Engels (1820-1895), a German philosopher, social scientist, and businessman who co-wrote The Communist Manifesto with Karl Marx, formulating key concepts of Marxism.
2. Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956), born Eugen Berthold Friedrich Engel, was a German playwright, poet, and political theorist whose works significantly influenced 20th-century theater.
3. Max Engel (1866-1930), a German mathematician who made significant contributions to non-Euclidean geometry, especially in the fields of differential geometry and topology.
4. Rudolf Engel (1872-1953), a German military officer who served as General der Infanterie during World War I and later became an influential author on military history and strategy.
5. Karl Engel (1907-1969), also known as Charlie Parker, was an American jazz alto saxophonist and composer, widely considered one of the pioneers and most important figures in the development of bebop and modern jazz.

Genealogical research on the last name Engel

The surname Engel is of German origin, derived from an occupational name for a bird catcher (Vogelfang) or a nickname for someone with a keen eye or quick hands, resembling those of an eagle. The word "Engel" translates to angel in English, which could have been used as a byname in some instances due to religious associations.

The earliest recorded spelling of the name dates back to the Middle Ages in Germany, with the first documented mention of an Engel being Hans von Engel who lived during the 12th century. The family expanded across various German regions, including Swabia and Bavaria. Many branches of the Engel family migrated to other countries during the 19th and 20th centuries due to religious persecution and economic hardships, particularly to the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Notable individuals with the surname Engel include Johann Gottfried von Herder (philosopher and theologian), Maximilian Engel (mathematician and physicist), and Kurt Engel (composer). The family tree of Engels is vast and complex, with numerous branches tracing their roots back to Germany.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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 : 15 June 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Engan (Last name)

surnames > engan

The last name "Engan" is of Norwegian origin. It is derived from the Old Norse word "eng," meaning meadow or pasture. It is likely a topographic or locational surname given to some...

Engandiyoor (Last name)

surnames > engandiyoor

The last name "Engandiyoor" is of Indian origin, specifically from the state of Kerala. It is a combination of the words "Engan" which means hill or elevated place, and "Oor" which...

Engaraju (Last name)

surnames > engaraju

The last name Engaraju is of Indian origin. It is a surname commonly found among Telugu-speaking people from the southern region of India.

Engay (Last name)

surnames > engay

The last name Engay is of Filipino origin. It is derived from the Visayan word "Ingay," meaning noise or sound. It is a common surname in the Philippines.

Engdawork (Last name)

surnames > engdawork

The last name "Engdawork" is of Amharic origin, derived from the given name "Engda" which means "crown" or "royal" in Amharic, and the suffix "-work" which is a common component in...

Engelia (Last name)

surnames > engelia

The surname Engelia is of Dutch origin. It is derived from the given name Engel, which means "angel" in Dutch.

Engenagn (Last name)

surnames > engenagn

The last name "Engenagn" does not appear to have a clear origin or meaning in English. It does not correspond to any known English word or place name. It is possible that the name ...

Engenharia (Last name)

surnames > engenharia

The last name "Engenharia" is of Portuguese origin and comes from the word "engenheiro," which means engineer in English. This surname likely referred to someone who worked as an e...

Enghug (Last name)

surnames > enghug

The last name Enghug appears to have a Scandinavian origin, possibly deriving from a combination of the words "eng" meaning meadow or pasture, and "hug" meaning spirit or mind.

Engi atfra (Last name)

surnames > engi-atfra

The last name "Engi Atfra" does not appear to have a widely recognized origin or meaning in English. It is possible that it is a rare or uncommon surname with limited information a...

Engidawrok (Last name)

surnames > engidawrok

The last name "Engidawrok" is of Ethiopian origin. It is a combination of the name "Engida" (meaning "increaser" in Amharic) and "Worok" (meaning "peace" in Amharic).

Engkila (Last name)

surnames > engkila

The last name "Engkila" is of Finnish origin and it is believed to be a topographic name referring to a place or location.

Engking (Last name)

surnames > engking

The last name Engking is of Indonesian origin.

Englander (Last name)

surnames > englander

The surname "Englander" is a geographical name, indicating that an individual or their ancestors originally came from England. Geographical names are one of the most common types o...

Englezopoulos (Last name)

surnames > englezopoulos

The last name "Englezopoulos" is of Greek origin.