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![Show Contents]() Bechel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Germany
The Bechel surname is derived from the Middle High German words "bach," meaning a "stream," and the suffix "ler," indicating an inhabitant of. As such, it was a topographic name for someone who lived by a stream. Early Origins of the Bechel familyThe surname Bechel was first found in southern Germany, where the family was closely identified in early mediaeval times with the feudal society of early Europe. The earliest individual to be mentioned in chronicles is one Cunrat Baecheler of Konstanz in the year 1259. Early History of the Bechel familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bechel research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1589 is included under the topic Early Bechel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Bechel Spelling VariationsIn the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Bechel include Bechler, Bechlere, Bechlen, Bechel, Bechller, Bechllere, Bechllen, Becler, Beclere, Beckl, Becklere, Beckler, Becklen, Beckle, Beckller, Bechl, Bechle, Becheler, Bechel, Baechler, Baechl, Baecheler, Bechlel and many more. Early Notables of the Bechel familyProminent among members of the name Bechel in this period include - the Austrian Captain Adolph Edler Bechl von Bechelsheim
Migration of the Bechel familyGerman settlers were among the most common to come to North America between the mid-17th and mid-20th centuries. Poverty and religious persecution drove many Bavarians to make this long trek. tenant farmers were also enticed by the prospect of owning land. From east to west, these German immigrants populated the United States, settling in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada also provided homes to many. Early settlers bearing the Bechel surname or a spelling variation of the name include: Heinrich Bechner who was recorded as having arrived in Pennsylvania in 1749; Simon Bechler, who settled in Philadelphia in 1754; Peter Bechler, who came to Philadelphia in 1754.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Bechel (post 1700) | + |
- William F. Bechel (b. 1841), American politician, Mayor of Omaha, Nebraska, 1897 1
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