This name, with variant forms Pregel and Prugel is of German origin, and is believed to be a metonymic occupational name for a maker of cudgels from the old German "prugel", a cudgel. The surname first appears on record in Germany in the early part of the 16th Century, (see below). Two Coats of Arms granted to the Pregel family are recorded heraldically in Rietstap's Armorial General. The Arms of the Pregels of Prussia depicts three chevrons, one gold and two silver, on a black shield, whereas, the Arms of the Nuremberg Pregels depicts three black riding crops on a gold shield. The Prugels of Nordlingen have a black Coat of Arms charged with a gold demi lion rampant holding a cudgel of the same colour. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Thomas Pregel or Pregal, (marriage to Appolonia Mayerin), which was dated January 19th 1535, Bayern, Germany, during the reign of King Charles V, Habsburg Emperor, 1519 - 1558. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.