When Theodor Merkel was born on 7 February 1836, in Forbach, Amt Rastatt, Baden, his father, Sebastian Merkel, was 25 and his mother, Genovefa Fritz, was 21.
South German and Swiss German: from a pet form of a personal name such as Markwardt . This surname (in any of the possible senses; see also 2 below) is also found in France (mainly Alsace, also Lorraine).
German: from a pet form of the personal name Mark 5. Compare Maracle , Maricle , and Mericle .
Jewish (Ashkenazic): variant of Markel 2.
As a nonprofit, we offer free help to those looking to learn the details of their family story.