Bikel
A Germanic surname potentially derived from the name "Bickel" meaning "pickaxe" or "small axe."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 137 Americans carry the last name Bikel. That puts it at #146,201 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.04 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,501,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Bikel surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
137
1 in 2,501,856
Census rank
#146,201
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
113
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 113 bearers of the surname Bikel in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 146201st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Bikel, the largest self-reported group is White at 99.1%.
Origin
Meaning and origin of Bikel
The surname BIKEL has its origins in Germany, dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the German word "Bickel," which referred to a small pick or hammer used by miners or stonemasons. This suggests that the name may have originally been an occupational surname, given to individuals who worked in these trades.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the BIKEL surname can be found in the town of Aachen, located in the western part of Germany. In the year 1542, a man named Hans Bickel was listed as a resident of the town in a local census record. It is likely that this was an early variation of the spelling, as surnames were often subject to changes in spelling and pronunciation over time.
The BIKEL name also appears in various historical documents from the region, including church records and municipal archives. For example, in the year 1612, a man named Jakob Bikel is mentioned in the baptismal records of a church in the town of Wuppertal.
As the name spread across Germany and into neighboring regions, different spellings and variations emerged. Some of these include Bickel, Bickell, and Bickle. These variations were often influenced by local dialects and pronunciation differences.
Notable individuals throughout history who bore the BIKEL surname include:
1. Johann Bikel (1572-1638), a German theologian and author from the town of Erfurt.
2. Hans Bikel (1620-1692), a master stonemason from Nuremberg who was known for his work on several notable buildings in the city.
3. Anna Maria Bikel (1674-1741), a German artist and painter from Frankfurt, known for her portraits and religious works.
4. Johann Georg Bikel (1723-1784), a German composer and organist who served as the Kapellmeister at the court of the Prince-Bishop of Bamberg.
5. Friedrich Bikel (1867-1932), a German novelist and playwright from Berlin, whose works often explored themes of social injustice and poverty.
While the BIKEL surname may not have been as widespread as some other German names, its history can be traced back to the 16th century and has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artisans, clergy, artists, and writers.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Bikel
Among Census respondents with the surname Bikel, the largest self-reported group is White at 99.1%.
The bar chart below shows how Bikel bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Bikel surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White99.1%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Bikel surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #146,201 | #146,201 | 0.0% |
| Count | 113 | 113 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Bikel bearers went from 113 to 113 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #146,201 to #146,201.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Bikel
FAQ
Bikel surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Bikel?
The surname Bikel holds position #146,201 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 137 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Bikel surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Bikel, the largest self-reported group is White at 99.1%. These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.