Tercel first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Tercel has been for the last 4 years (from 1986 to 1989) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Tercel

A Spanish masculine name meaning "falcon" or "hawk".

Popularity of Tercel by gender

Based on the last 4 years of data, Tercel is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1989, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Tercel.

Year Male Count Female Count
1989 5 0
1986 7 0

The history of the first name Tercel

The given name Tercel originates from the Old French language, dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the word "tercelet," which referred to a male falcon or a small male hawk used for hunting. The name's etymology links it to the sport of falconry, which was popular among the nobility during the Middle Ages.

In its early usage, Tercel was primarily associated with the upper classes and members of the aristocracy who engaged in falconry as a pastime. The name gained wider recognition and popularity in medieval Europe, particularly in regions where falconry was practiced extensively, such as France, England, and parts of Italy.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Tercel can be found in a 13th-century French poem titled "Le Roman de la Rose," where it is used to describe a falcon. This literary reference suggests that the name was already in use during that time period.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Tercel. One of the earliest recorded examples is Tercel de Meranie (1186-1234), a French nobleman and crusader who participated in the Fifth Crusade. Another notable figure is Tercel de Lorraine (1228-1273), a French military commander who fought in the Eighth Crusade.

In the 14th century, Tercel de Chambly (1315-1368) was a prominent French knight who participated in the Hundred Years' War between England and France. He served under King John II and was known for his bravery on the battlefield.

Moving into the Renaissance era, Tercel de Vaux (1510-1572) was a French poet and humanist who was part of the literary circle known as the Pléiade. His works were influential in shaping the French Renaissance literature.

In more recent times, Tercel Trevanian (1925-2005) was the pen name of an American author best known for his novel "The Eiger Sanction." Although his given name was not Tercel, his choice of pseudonym reflects the enduring influence of this historical name.

These examples illustrate the longevity and cultural significance of the name Tercel, which has been borne by individuals from various walks of life throughout the centuries, from nobility and military commanders to poets and authors.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Tercel was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Tercel, please contact us.

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"Tercel first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on August 9, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/tercel-meaning-and-history/.

"Tercel first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/tercel-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 9 August, 2025

Tercel first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/tercel-meaning-and-history/.

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