Heschel

Heschel is a surname of German-Jewish origin. It is believed to derive from the Hebrew word "heschel," meaning "a measure" or "a quantity." The name likely originated as a metonymic occupational surname for someone who measured goods, such as a merchant or a tax collector. Over time, it became a hereditary family name.

Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907–1972) was a prominent theologian, philosopher, and civil rights activist. Born in Warsaw, Poland, he fled to the United States in 1940 and taught at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City. Heschel was known for his interfaith dialogue and his advocacy for social justice, famously marching with Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Alabama. His writings, such as "The Sabbath" and "The Prophets," explored the spiritual dimensions of Jewish tradition and their relevance to modern life.

Other notable individuals with the surname Heschel include individuals in academia, arts, and business, though Abraham Joshua Heschel remains the most widely recognized figure associated with the name. The surname is relatively uncommon and is primarily found in Jewish communities and among descendants of Eastern European Jewish immigrants. Its historical roots connect to ancient mercantile practices and religious scholarship.