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

Nabel, 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 Nabel surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Nabel in America

Nabel is the 109915th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nabel surname appeared 149 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Nabel.

The history of the last name Nabel

The surname Nabel traces its origins to Germany, predominantly emerging during the medieval period, around the 12th to 14th centuries. The name is thought to be derived from the Middle High German word "nabele," meaning "navel." This term was often used metaphorically to refer to a central point or an important person within a specific locale, suggesting that early bearers of the name may have been individuals of significance in their communities. The name evolved naturally over time, reflecting the shift in language and regional dialects.

In historical references, the surname Nabel appears sporadically in medieval German manuscripts and church records. One of the earliest references can be found in a land deed from 1267 in the city of Cologne, where a "Hermann Nabele" is mentioned. Another early appearance is in a tax register in the Hanseatic city of Lübeck from 1302, listing a "Johannes Nabel" as a wealthy merchant. These early mentions indicate that the name was associated with individuals of standing and means within their societies.

The surname also appears in historical records from the Renaissance period. For example, a notable figure, Anna Nabel, born in 1543 and died in 1607, was a prominent member of the nobility in the region of Saxony. Records indicate that she was an influential patron of the arts, commissioning several works that remain pivotal in European art history.

In the 17th century, during the Thirty Years' War, a Heinrich Nabel, born 1592 and died 1648, emerges as a military officer in the service of the Protestant forces. His personal letters and military directives, preserved in the state archives of Hesse, provide significant insights into the strategies and daily hardships of soldiers during one of Europe's most devastating conflicts.

Moving into the 18th century, a Johann Friedrich Nabel, born 1718 and died 1775, gained recognition as a theologian and educator. His treatises on Lutheran doctrine and educational reform were published widely, influencing religious and academic thought in his era. His contributions to theology are still studied in contemporary religious scholarship.

Finally, in the 19th century, the surname appears among European immigrants to the United States. For example, Karl Nabel, born 1821 and died 1893, was a prominent civil engineer in the burgeoning industrial cities of the American Midwest. His innovations in bridge design and construction facilitated the rapid expansion of railroads during this critical period of American growth.

Together, these historical references paint a picture of the Nabel surname as one connected with centrality and importance across various regions and epochs. Through these notable individuals, the legacy of the Nabel name is preserved in records of scholarship, military service, and infrastructural advancement.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nabel

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Nabel 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 Nabel was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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