Surname Dunkell - Meaning and Origin
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Dunkell: What does the surname Dunkell mean?
The last name Dunkell is of German origin. It is derived from the German words “dunkel” and “hell”, which together mean “dark” and “bright”. This likely refers to the physical features of the family, such as dark hair or bright eyes. It could also refer to a family’s character and manner, such as their intelligence, wit, or courage.
The Dunkell surname originated in Germany, making it a common surname among those of German descent from this region. It was not found in other regions until immigration to other countries began. Therefore, the name is often associated with German heritage.
The Dunkells may have roots in the medieval era as one of the knightly families of Germany. Like any noble family, they likely bore their name proudly and were seen as successful and prestigious members of their society. Indeed, most of the prominent Dunkell families today boast an impressive lineage with a variety of accomplishments.
The Dunkell surname is also still popular in Germany, though much less so in other countries. There are several Dunkells in Germany, and even a metastasizing Dunkel family tree stretching across the globe.
The Dunkell name is an indication of a family's strong roots in the German region and its proud heritage. It is a reminder of the family's past, and the accomplishments of their ancestors, as well as the courage and strength they brought with them to their new countries.
Order DNA origin analysisDunkell: Where does the name Dunkell come from?
The last name Dunkell is commonly found in countries of Central and Eastern Europe, specifically in Germany, Ireland, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Romania. It is believed that the name Dunkell may have originated from the German state of Bavaria.
The surname is derived from the German word "Dunkel", which literally means "dark" or "black". Dunkel was originally used to describe persons or animals that were of dark or black hair and complexion. Over time, the name Dunkell or Dunkle became a last name used to indicate people from that area.
The last name is still quite common in some of these countries, as thousands of Dunkell descendants live in Germany, Poland, and parts of Czech Republic. As well, there are many people with the Dunkell surname living in states in the US such as New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.
The last name also appears in records of the 18th century in Jamaica, where a large number of immigrants from Europe settled in what is now known as Kingston.
Today, a search on www.ancestry.com suggests that the Dunkell surname can be found in countries such as Brazil, United Kingdom, Canada, Venezuela, Australia, and France.
Variations of the surname Dunkell
The surname Dunkell has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most prevalent is Dunkel and Dünkel, which appear in records from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Eastern European countries such as Hungary, Romania and Poland. The variants include Dunke, Dunkle, Dunckle, Dönkle, Dönkel, Dönken, Dänkel, and Dänken.
In the United States, the name is spelled mostly as Dunkel, Dunkle, Dunckle, Dunkle, Dunker, Donkel, Donker or Donkle. In addition, the French variant of the name Dunkel is Donck or Donc. In the United Kingdom, the name appears as Dunckle, Donckele and Donckley. The majority of these variants are variations of a German or Dutch toponymic nickname, meaning ‘dweller on a dark or shady cliff’.
The Dunkel family is also closely related to the surnames Dunkelberg, Dunckelman, and Dunklin. These three variations likely arose independently in different German-speaking regions. The Dunkelberg surname is also derived from a toponymic nickname and refers to someone living near a mountain or hill called Dark Mountain. The Dunklin family is likely derived from a personal nickname, ‘dunkel’, meaning dark.
Overall, many different spellings, variants and surnames exist related to the surname Dunkell. Some are likely the result of variations due to language and regional differences, while other surnames are derived from nicknames or toponymic names.
Famous people with the name Dunkell
- Alfred Dunkel: lead singer and songwriter for the English band These New Puritans
- David Dunkel: former American basketball coach
- Carla Dunkell: American author and environmental advocate
- Aaron Dunkel: actor, comedian, and producer
- Harrison Dunkel: professional golfer
- Jules Dunkell: American television and film actor
- Helen Dunkell: noted feminist activist
- Yoram Dunkel: Israeli-Italian visual artist and photographer
- Steve Dunkel: former coach of the Philadelphia Eagles
- Ruth Dunkel: American author of children's books