Surname Dengler - Meaning and Origin

DNA to Identity: Unraveling the Dengler Lineage through iGENEA DNA Test

As a descendant of the Dengler lineage, the iGENEA DNA test was more than just an exploration into my genetic markup. It opened the door to a powerful journey back in time, enabling me to piece together the jigsaw puzzle of my ancestry, transforming the way I look at my surname and my identity as a Dengler.

M. Dengler

Dengler: What does the surname Dengler mean?

The last name Dengler is of German origin. It is believed to derive from the German word 'Dengel,' a term used in the Middle Ages to indicate a worker who hammered and forged metal. The name is still found in both Germany and Austria today, but its prevalence in those countries is relatively low.

In some variations of Dengler, the “er” suffix could indicate a person from a particular place. For example, a person with the last name Dengler Von München could indicate a family who hailed from Munich, Germany. It could also be associated with a profession, as someone with the last name Dengler Schmied might be a blacksmith.

The most common spelling of the name in the United States is Dengler, although sometimes alternative spellings such as Dangler and Denger are seen. It is fairly unusual, even in the US, and about 420 families with the last name live in the United States today.

In summary, the last name Dengler is a German surname, lettered from the Middle Ages to indicate a worker who hammered and forged metal. Depending on the regional spelling, it could also be associated with place or profession, and today the name is relatively uncommon in the US, although still present.

Dengler: Where does the name Dengler come from?

The last name Dengler is most commonly found in Germany and Austria. Many families with the surname Dengler have roots in South-western Germany, especially in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. This name is also seen in countries like Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and the United States.

In Germany, Dengler is a popular surname, accounting for about 0.006702% of the population. It is most widely known in the Bavarian state of Germany, where it features prominently in local family histories. In Austria, it is one of the top 10 most popular last names according to the Austrian census of 2001.

In the United States, Dengler is among the 12,135th most popular last name, making it a relatively rare name throughout the country. It is seen in states like California and Pennsylvania and is most common in places where inventors and entrepreneurs of German descent settled and started businesses.

The last name Dengler is still found throughout Germany and Austria today, as well as in the United States, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. Its presence in these countries is a reminder of the many German people that have left their homes to live in another part of the world.

Variations of the surname Dengler

The most common variants and spellings of the surname Dengler include Denkler, Denklor, Denklar, Denckeler, Dankleur, Danckelman, and Denzler. Some less common variants include Denckmann, Dankleuser, Danklauer, Dankalov, and Dencalan.

Dengler is a German surname which has its origin in the Middle High German verb 'denckeln,' which means 'to cover again.' It is linked to a feudal custom of covering estates that return to their original ownership after being leased, sold, or otherwise transferred. It may also have derived from the Middle High German 'Dunklere,' meaning 'the day's labor.'

The surname is found primarily in Germany, as well as several other countries including Austria, the Netherlands, Poland, Madagascar, South Africa, the United States of America, and Canada.

In Germany, Dengler can easily be confused with the surnames Denk, Denker, and Denkler, since all of these variations of the surname have the same Middle High German origin. Outside of Germany, it can also be confused with other variations of the Dank family name, such as Dankleur, Dankleuser, and Dankalov.

The name can also take on additional variations depending on language and regional dialect differences. For example, Dengler may also be spelled as Dencker or Denckl in Switzerland and Austria, as well as Denkel or Denkelmann in the Netherlands.

Famous people with the name Dengler

• Dieter Dengler: Dieter Dengler was a German-born American military officer who famously escaped a POW camp in Laos during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Navy Cross and Silver Star for his bravery and courage in captivity. After the war, he wrote a bestselling autobiography entitled Escape from Laos.
• Juliane Koepcke: Juliane Koepcke is the daughter of missionary parents who were killed in a plane crash over the Amazon in 1971. Miraculously, Juliane survived the crash and went on to trek 11 days through the jungle alone before being rescued. She later wrote a book about her experience called Miracle in the Rainforest.
• Sophia Dengler: Sophia Dengler is a German model and activist who has appeared in editorials, campaigns, and magazines around the world. She is a founding member of climate change organization Earthchild, and is a vegan lifestyle blogger. In 2020, she became a partner of The Climate Pledge.
• Will Dengler: Will Dengler is an American entrepreneur and software engineering executive. He is the founder of the companies TechLabs and TapFury, and is an advisor and board member for numerous startups. He is currently the CTO of Los Angeles-based start-up SaveCollect.
• Michael Dengler: Michael Dengler is an American actor, producer, and composer. He has appeared in numerous movies and television shows, including Clueless, A Series of Unfortunate Events, and Law & Order: SVU. He has had multiple producing credits, and is also a professional musician.

Other surnames

Dengl