Surname Gafel - Meaning and Origin

Gafel: What does the surname Gafel mean?

The last name Gafel is derived from the German-Jewish surname “Gafen”, which is derived from the Yiddish word for “apron”. It is believed to have been adopted by those living in Germany who were involved in the textile industry or otherwise made aprons for a living.

The Gafel surname is a fairly uncommon one, with less than 50 individuals in the United States sharing the name. It has deeper roots in Germany, however, with over 600 individuals having the name scattered in various German states.

The origin of the name Gafel is unknown, but it is believed to have been adopted by Jews who had originally used the name Gafen. This is thought to have been a way of avoiding persecution during various periods of Europe’s history as “Gafen” would not have been a recognizable name to those outside of the Jewish community.

Those with the Gafel surname have Jewish origins, but it is difficult to trace back because of the extreme difficulty many Jews had in maintaining records. It is likely that the Gafel last name was adopted by many individuals living in Germany at one point in time, as well as in other countries around the world.

Overall, the Gafel surname is an uncommon and distinctive last name. Given its prevalence in German-speaking areas, it is likely that its heritage lies in Germany, but this cannot be certain. The surname is a reminder of the difficulty Jewish communities faced as they moved throughout Europe, often being forced to take up different last names in order to avoid persecution.

Gafel: Where does the name Gafel come from?

The last name Gafel is a Jewish surname of Ashkenazic origin. It is most commonly found in Israel, particularly in Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. It has also been recorded in Hungary, Austria, Romania, Poland, Germany, Moldova, France, and Canada.

The Gafel surname is a patronymic name, derived from a personal male given name, Gaf. The Gaf name is thought to come from either Germanic and Hebrew elements meaning “God’s shelter” or “God’s hospitality,” depending on the regional pronunciation.

Gafel is most often pronounced with a hard “g,” as in “gah-fel.” The name may sometimes also be spelled as “Gefel,” “Gafle” or “Geffen”.

Today, there are various Gafel family branches found in many different countries around the world. A notable Gafel descendant is Yossi Gafel, an influential Israeli military figure.

The Gafel family has a rich history that dates back to medieval times. Its legacy continues to live on through the many Gafel descendants around the world, who honor and celebrate their unique and humble Jewish heritage.

Variations of the surname Gafel

The surname Gafel may be variously spelled and pronounced as “Gaffel”, “Gaffil”, “Gafl” or “Gavriel”, all deriving from the Hebrew for “God is my strength”. It is a variation of the Semitic last name “Gavriel”, as well as the German surname “Gaffel”.

Gafel is considered a Jewish surname, typically associated with Jews of Ashkenazi descent. It is an uncommon surname that can be found in both the United States and Canada.

A few alternative spellings, surnames and spellings of this surname include “Gaffell”, “Gaffeler”, “Gevirtz”, “Gevel” and “Gifels”. If you happen to be a descendant of the Gafel surname, it is possible that you may also have inherited other associated last names, such as “Gofamber”, “Gaffenalt” and “Gefell”.

In some instances, Gafel may be used as a given name instead of a surname. It is considered a unisex name and can be used for both female and male namesakes in the same family.

Given the low usage of the Gafel surname, it is not surprising to find that it doesn’t feature on most family tree websites or databases. This makes tracing the Gafel bloodline more difficult. However, it is certainly worth exploring if you’re interested in learning more about your heritage.

Famous people with the name Gafel

• Amir Gafel: Award-winning Israeli footballer, who plays for Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona as well as the Israeli national team
• Miki Gafel: Israeli designer, author, artist and curator
• Marta Gafel: Israeli model and television presenter
• Tom Gafel: American professional basketball player
• Albert Gafel: Austrian sports shooter who competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics
• Carole Gafel: American actress, producer and writer
• Hugo Gafel: German novelist and short-story writer
• Mona Gafel: Greek singer
• Roman Gafel: Ukrainian chess grandmaster
• Bobby Gafel: American experimental guitarist and composer

Other surnames

Gafenesch