Surname Pickelhaupt - Meaning and Origin
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Pickelhaupt: What does the surname Pickelhaupt mean?
The last name Pickelhaupt is of German origin. In German, "pickel" translates to "pickaxe" and "haupt" means "head," which together translates roughly to "pickaxe head." This phrase is likely derived from an occupation involving pickaxes, such as mining or quarrying. It is also possible that the surname came from a physical resemblance to the head of a pickaxe, either through a person's features or a particular hairstyle.
The name is not particularly common, but those who bear it are generally known for being hard workers with strong determination. As with many German last names, the name could also be derived from a place name, referring to a town with a prominent mining industry.
Pickelhaupts may have their roots in several different places in Europe, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. In the United States, the surname is mostly found in Pennsylvania, particularly the Philadelphia area, as well as in the Midwest and West.
No matter what the root of the surname is, those who bear the last name Pickelhaupt are often proud of their hardworking heritage. People who bear this name today often still have a hardy work ethic, a desire to learn, and a strong determination to achieve their goals.
Order DNA origin analysisPickelhaupt: Where does the name Pickelhaupt come from?
The last name Pickelhaupt is most commonly associated with Germany and central and eastern Europe. Its roots are believed to be Slavic in origin, with some supposing it to be derived from the Czech word “píkle” or “pickel”, which translates to “knee.”
In terms of modern spread, the last name is still mostly most popularly associated with Germany and surrounding countries. In terms of raw numbers, the highest concentration of Pickelhaupts resides in the United States, with many having emigrated there in the 19th and 20th centuries. Meanwhile, an estimated 15,000 people in Germany bear the surname, and there are significant populations in Poland, Russia, Austria, and Hungary.
Recently, the name has gained some exposure in popular media. For example, Werner Pickelhaupt was a character in a 1970s British comic, and in 2019, David Pickelhaupt was a contestant on the German edition of “The Voice Kids.”
In summary, the last name Pickelhaupt is is most commonly associated with Germany and surrounding countries, and in modern times, the highest populations can be found in the US, Germany, Poland, Russia, Austria, and Hungary.
Variations of the surname Pickelhaupt
The surname Pickelhaupt is a German occupational surname derived from the Middle High German word 'pickel', meaning 'pickaxe'. The surname changed in spelling according to various regions, languages and dialects and has evolved over time. Variants of the name include Pickelhaupt, Pickedhold, Pikkelholt, Pickledeal and Pickedeal. This variation was common in regions where dialects other than German were spoken.
Other spellings of this surname include Picleholt, Pickelholle and Pickhold. Furthermore, the surname in its various forms has been used to create several surnames of similar origin such as Pickholt, Pickhout, Pickholz, Pickholdt and Pickholtz.
Additionally, other surnames also exist that have the same origin but are spelt differently. These include Pickert, Pickhardt, Picket, Pickl and Pikul. In each of these cases, 'pickel' or 'pick' was used as the root in an occupation, such as 'pickaxe makers'.
Finally, Zurlauben is also a surname of similar origin, referencing persons who were armed with a 'Zur' ( meaning 'battle-axe' ) rather than a 'pickel.'
Famous people with the name Pickelhaupt
- Steven Pickelhaupt: an American game designer and graphic artist, known for his work on Dungeons & Dragons and Star Wars Roleplaying.
- Vítězslav Pickelhaupt: Czech conductor and composer, particularly of music for the zither.
- Hans Jürgen Pickelhaupt: German musician and composer, who wrote several musical works including a "triple concerto".
- Adolph Pickelhaupt: an Austrian-Hungarian officer who was in the service of the Austro-Hungarian Army during World War I.
- Maria Pickelhaupt: Austrian-born pianist, violinist, violist, singer, and teacher.
- Mirko Pickelhaupt: German artist active in the late twentieth century.
- Ludwig Pickelhaupt: Austrian chemist known for his research of explosives and gunpowder.
- Carl Pickelhaupt: German mechanical engineer who designed a number of sewing machines.
- Ernst Pickelhaupt: German judge in Leipzig who made significant contributions to criminal law in the late 19th century.
- Gustav Adolf Pickelhaupt: Austrian professor of jurisprudence and political economist at the University of Vienna, as well as the author of several works on law and economics.