| ![Show Contents]() Demel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Germany The Demel family name first began to be used in the German state of Bavaria. After the 12th century, as hereditary surnames began to be adopted, names that were derived from locations became particularly common. The family name Demel is a local surname. Originally denoting the proprietorship of an estate or influence within a village, the German preposition von, which means from or of, used with local names, was taken as a mark of aristocracy. The surname Demel was given to someone who lived in Bavaria. Early Origins of the Demel familyThe surname Demel was first found in Bavaria, where this surname surfaced in mediaeval times as one of the notable families of the region. From the 13th century onwards the name was associated with the great social and economic evolution which made this territory a landmark contributor to the development of the nation. Early History of the Demel familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Demel research. Another 134 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1635, 1644, 1655, 1663, 1669, 1670, 1704, 1709, 1721, 1728, 1746, 1775 and 1776 are included under the topic Early Demel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Demel Spelling VariationsMany cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Demel include Thoma, Thoman, Thom, Thoms, Toma, Thomas, Tomas, Thomasius, Thoeman, Thome, Thomen, Thomme, Thomm, Demel, Dehmel and many more. Early Notables of the Demel familyProminent among members of the name Demel in this period include Frederic Count de Thoms (1669-1746), a German art collector; Peter Lorenz Thomas von Langenhardt (mid 17th century), Secretary of the Johannite Order of knights at Sonnenburg; Christian Thomas (1655-1728, known as Thomasius)...
Another 43 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Demel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Demel familyThe great European flow of migration to North America, which began in the middle of the 17th century and continued into the 20th century, was particularly attractive to those from Bavaria who wished to escape either poverty or religious persecution. For many Bavarian tenant farmers, the chance to own their own land was a major incentive. So the widespread colonization of the United States began in 1650, when many immigrants from Germany settled in pockets in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. In Canada, German settlement centered in Ontario and the prairie provinces. Among those of this surname listed in various historical records were: Matheus Thomas, who sailed for America in 1709 with his wife and daughters. Heinrich Thomas also came in 1709; settling in Carolina of Pennsylvania. Johann Philip Thoma came to Philadelphia in 1764.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Demel (post 1700) | + |
- Earl J. Demel, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for Michigan State Senate 14th District, 1966 1
 |
