Surname Dunkelin - Meaning and Origin

Dunkelin: What does the surname Dunkelin mean?

The last name Dunkelin is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word dünken, meaning ‘thought’ or ‘opinion’. The name is associated with Dunkelheit, a common Germanic word meaning ‘darkness’ and suggests an association with exile (from the ‘darkness’ of their homeland) to another country.

The name Dunkelin first appears in records in the early 13th century in the former Holy Roman Empire, where it was most commonly associated with the areas of Germany and Austria. Due to the migration of the Dunkelin family across various countries and regions, the name has come to take on various meanings in different cultures. For example, in German and Austrian culture, Dunkelin may have come to signify a wise counsel or someone who had seen much in life, while in American culture the name is more commonly associated with inner strength and a determination to persevere against the odds.

The Dunkelin name can be seen as a reminder of the family’s long and complicated history, capturing the strength and resilience of their ancestors who forged new lives in unfamiliar lands. As such, it is a reminder of the determination of those who have fought and/or left their homes, in search of a better life.

Dunkelin: Where does the name Dunkelin come from?

The last name Dunkelin is most commonly found in Germany and Austria. It is a relatively rare name which typically belongs to those of Germanic ancestry.

The name is derived from the Old German word "dunka" which means “dark”, “black” or “dim” as well as a Germanic word "lin" meaning “of linen”. Combined, the phrase "Dunkelin" generally indicates someone who is dark-haired and wearing linen.

In recent decades, the name has spread to other parts of the world with German emigrants settling in the United States, Canada, and Australia. In the United States the 2010 Census revealed over 500 individuals with the last name Dunkelin living in the country.

The 2000 United States Census reveals that the most common state to bear the surname Dunkelin is California. There it is the 1,019th most common last name. In California, the Williams, Smith, and Johnson family names rank much higher in regards to their number of occurrences.

In Germany, the surname was more common in the eastern parts of the country, notably in Brandenburg as well as Berlin. But on a national level Dunkelin ranked in as the 22,946th most popular surname. In Belgium, the last name was found to be the 3,279th most common as of the 2013 National Census.

Variations of the surname Dunkelin

The surname Dunkelin has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most prominent of these are the German variant Dunkling, the Dutch variant Doenklein, and the English variant Dunklen.

The German variant Dunkling is a combination of the two words "dunkel" meaning dark, and "ling" which is a diminutive suffix. This suffix is commonly used to designate someone small.

The Dutch variant Doenklein is similar to the German variant, as it is made up of the words “doen” which means “to do” and “klein” meaning “small”. This surname was likely created for someone who was a small-scale worker and the spelling has been preserved from older Dutch records.

The English variant Dunklen is a combination of the words “dunkel” meaning “dark”, and “len” which is a shortened version of the suffix “ling”. This variant was likely created for someone who had a dark complexion, as is reflected in the meaning of the name.

The various spellings and variants of Dunkelin can also be seen in other surnames of the same origin. Examples include Denklin from Germany, Donkel from the Netherlands, and Dunklon from England.

All of these variants and spellings can be traced back to the same root, providing further evidence of the shared lineage which the different versions of the surname Dunkelin have.

Famous people with the name Dunkelin

• Irene Dunkelin: A Swedish actress known for her roles in the films Cornered! and Sunshine Comes and Goes.
• Heinrich Dunkelin: An Austrian sculptor active from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century. He is renowned for his various bronze sculptures.
• Marc Dunkelin: A Swedish politician active in the 1990s. He was a member of the Social Democratic Party and served as a Member of Parliament.
• Holger Dunkelin: A Swedish opera singer and choir conductor. He is most known for his work with the Royal Swedish Opera and the Drottningholm Palace Theatre.
• Robert Dunkelin: An American graphic designer and fashion illustrator. He has been active since the late 1990s and has been credited in various fashion publications.
• Dirk Dunkelin: A German opera singer, active since the mid-20th century. He has performed extensively across the country and has been praised for his baritone performances.
• Ernst Dunkelin: A German organist and music theorist, active from the 19th century to the early 20th century. He was a founding member of the Leipzig Conservatory of Music and is renowned for his work in the early development of classical music.
• Jürgen Dunkelin: A German painter and sculptor active since the late 20th century. He is best known for his vibrant depictions of nature, as well as his evocative sculptures.
• Bio Dunkelin: A Swedish film actor, active since the mid-1980s. He has appeared in a number of Swedish films such as Mastermind and Silence.
• Jörg Dunkelin: A German journalist, active since the early 2000s. He has worked extensively for various German newspapers and magazines and is a specialist in political science.

Other surnames

DunkelDunkeldDunkell