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

Sekel, 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 Sekel surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sekel in America

Sekel is the 63218th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sekel surname appeared 316 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 Sekel.

We can also compare 2010 data for Sekel to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Sekel

The surname SEKEL is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "seckel," which referred to a small sack or pouch. It is believed that the name originated in the 13th or 14th century as an occupational surname for a maker or seller of small pouches or purses.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name SEKEL dates back to the late 15th century in a town record from the region of Saxony, where a merchant named Hans Sekel was mentioned. This suggests that the name had already been established and in use for several generations by that time.

In the 16th century, the name SEKEL appeared in various records across different regions of Germany, including Bavaria and Württemberg. During this period, the spelling variations included Seckel, Seckell, and Seckle. These variations likely arose due to regional dialects and the inconsistencies in spelling and record-keeping practices of that era.

A notable figure from history bearing the surname SEKEL was Johann Gottfried Sekel (1633-1707), a German theologian and author who served as a professor at the University of Jena. He published several works on theology and philosophy during his lifetime.

In the 18th century, the name SEKEL was found in records from the city of Nuremberg, where a family of merchants and traders carried the name. One member of this family, Jakob Sekel (1719-1793), was a prominent businessman and philanthropist who contributed to the development of the city's infrastructure and social welfare initiatives.

Another historical figure with the surname SEKEL was Friedrich Sekel (1801-1871), a German architect and urban planner. He was renowned for his work in designing and overseeing the construction of several notable buildings and urban projects in cities like Berlin and Dresden.

In the 19th century, the surname SEKEL spread beyond Germany, with some families immigrating to other parts of Europe and North America. One such individual was Wilhelm Sekel (1842-1912), a German-American artist and painter who settled in New York City and became known for his landscapes and portraits.

Despite its German roots, the surname SEKEL has been found in various other countries over the centuries, likely due to migration and intermarriage. However, its origins can be traced back to the medieval German term for a maker or seller of small pouches or purses, reflecting the occupational heritage of the name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sekel

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

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 Sekel 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Sekel has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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 Sekel was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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