Find out how popular the last name Katel is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Katel.

Katel, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Katel surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Katel in America

Katel is the 133048th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Katel surname appeared 127 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Katel.

The history of the last name Katel

The surname KATEL is of German origin, dating back to the early 15th century. It is believed to have originated in the region of Bavaria, where it was initially spelled as "Kättel" or "Kettel." The name is derived from the Old German word "ketil," which means "cauldron" or "kettle," and was likely an occupational surname given to metalworkers or individuals involved in the production of these vessels.

In the late 15th century, records mention a Johann Katel, a blacksmith from the town of Augsburg, who was renowned for his intricate ironwork and the crafting of ornate cauldrons. His skills were highly sought after, and his works were commissioned by noblemen and clergy throughout the region.

In the early 16th century, the name Katel appeared in the Stadtbuch von Regensburg, a historical municipal record book from the city of Regensburg, where it was documented as "Ketteler." This variation of the spelling is thought to have been influenced by the Dutch or Low German language, as the name spread across the Rhine region.

One notable figure bearing the surname Katel was Hans Katel, a German painter and engraver born in Nuremberg in 1550. His woodcut illustrations for religious texts and biblical scenes were widely acclaimed during the Renaissance period.

In the 17th century, the name Katel was also found in the Kirchenbücher (church records) of the small village of Ebersdorf, located in the present-day state of Thuringia. Among those mentioned was a family of farmers, the Katels, who cultivated the lands around the village for generations.

Another historical figure of note was Johann Christian Katel, a German composer and organist born in Lauterbach in 1732. He was known for his compositions for the organ and his contributions to the development of church music in the region.

As the name spread throughout Germany and into neighboring countries, variations in spelling emerged, such as "Kattel," "Kattell," and "Kattel." However, the core meaning and origin of the name remained rooted in the Old German word for "cauldron" or "kettle," reflecting the occupational origins of this surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Katel

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Katel.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Katel was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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