Fichtel History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe Fichtel surname first began to be used in the German state of Bavaria, some time after the 12th century, when hereditary surnames were adopted according to fairly general rules, and names that were derived from locations became particularly common. The family name Fichtel 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 Fichtel was given to someone who lived in the medieval township named Fichten. This township was located near the Fichtel mountains in the south-east of Germany. Although the original bearer of this name was born in Fichten, this family migrated to Franconia and Bavaria during the Middle Ages. Early Origins of the Fichtel familyThe surname Fichtel was first found in Franconia, where the name came from humble beginnings but gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the emerging mediaeval society. It later became more prominent as many branches of the same house acquired distant estates and branches, some in foreign countries, always elevating their social status by their great contributions to society. Early History of the Fichtel familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fichtel research. Another 94 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1646, 1762, 1796, 1814, 1817 and 1879 are included under the topic Early Fichtel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Fichtel Spelling VariationsOne can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Fichtel include Fichte, Fichten, Fichter, Fichterle, Fichtel, Ficht, Fichtl and many more. Early Notables of the Fichtel familyAnother 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Fichtel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
The 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: Fichtel Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Fichtel Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
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