Skip to main content

Updated June 9, 2019

Family name origins & meanings

  • German : occupational name for a knife-sharpener, from an agent derivative of Middle High German tengelen ‘to sharpen instruments’ (such as large knives, sickles, and scythes), originally by carefully angled hammer blows (from Old High German tangol ‘hammer’).

Subscribe to Family Education

Your partner in parenting from baby name inspiration to college planning.

Subscribe