According to the Genealogy Center (
http://hermes.spaceports.com/~webgen/) Rommel is derived from Middle Low German "rummeln", i.e., to make a noise or create a disturbance Herr Rommel -- probably the only universally admired Nazi -- certainly did his share in raising hell during WWII. Variations are Rommele, Rommler, Rummel, Rummele, Rummler .