Surname Kantwill - Meaning and Origin
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Kantwill: What does the surname Kantwill mean?
The last name Kantwill is of German origin and is derived from the word 'Kantenwillen', which means edge and will. This surname was likely given to someone who was willing to take on difficult tasks or hard work, or to someone who was known for their physical strength and endurance.
The name Kantwill can refer to a person's perseverance, courage, and determination. However, it can also be seen as an indication of a person's resourcefulness and intelligence, as someone who is able to find solutions to difficult problems or to make difficult decisions in challenging circumstances. As such, Kantwill is a suitable name for someone who is determined to succeed, no matter how hard the path may be.
Kantwill is a very unique last name and is largely unseen in the United States, as most German immigrants to the U.S. in the 1700s and 1800s had different surnames. However, it can be found in other places in Europe, such as Austria, Switzerland, and Germany. Out of the million-plus people bearing the Kantwill last name worldwide, most live in Germany, with sizable numbers in Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
Order DNA origin analysisKantwill: Where does the name Kantwill come from?
The last name Kantwill is most commonly found today in Germany and the United States. It originates from Germany, and is relatively uncommon, with only about 1,000 people bearing the name worldwide.
In the United States, the surname Kantwill can be found in many states, but is especially concentrated in Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. It is most often spelled “Kantwill”, though several other spellings such as “Kanthill”, “Kantwiel”, and “Kanthale” are also found.
In Germany, the surname is much more prevalent, and has been used since at least the 16th century. It is rooted in the Middle German word “kantwill”, which means “willing to do right”, and was originally used as a nickname for a person with a dependable or trustworthy character. The Kantwill family includes prominent members such as German soldier Hans Kantwill, who was awarded the Iron Cross for his bravery in World War I.
Today, the Kantwill name is still in use, both in the United States and Germany. Most people with Kantwill as a surname are from families that have had the name for many generations, but there are few people who have adopted it in modern times.
Variations of the surname Kantwill
Kantwill is a surname of Germanic origin, believed to have originally originated from the Middle Ages. It is believed to have originated as a German topographic surname for a person that lived in or near a Church or school. Variations on the surname Kantwill, and its reported spellings, include Kontwill, Kontwel, Kantwel and Cantwell. The surname is now found in small numbers in countries such as USA, Canada, Ireland, England, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Slovakia, and South Africa.
In Germany, Kante means "edge," thus Kantwill likely refers to a person living at the edge of a church or school; the name could be derived from either the English word "edge" or the German word Kante. In Ireland, it is likely derived from the Old Irish name Cantwell, composed of the elements cain meaning "fierce" or "bold" and wealth meaning "foreigner," "stranger," or "serf."
Kantwill is also found as an anglicized version of German and Yiddish names with the prefix Kont-, Kon- or Kohn- as these prefixes signify "priest." Variations on the prefix Kont- include Con-, Curt- and Koontz. Some of the surnames derived from variants of Kont- are Gontwer, Kontnik, Kontner, Kantsur, Konstantz, Kontars, Kontsun, Konthor, Kantorsu, Kontant, Kontny and Kanter.
Finally, Kantwill can also be an alternate spelling of Cantwell, an Old English name derived from the words cant meaning "edge" and well, which refers to a spring or river. In Ireland, Cantwell is a popular family name found mainly in the province of Ulster. It is believed to be derived from a Scots-Gaelic or Gaelic Manx name meaning "meeting place" or a safe place. Variations of the Cantwell surname include Cantwelle, Cantle, Kantwell, and Cantill.
Famous people with the name Kantwill
- Immanuel Kant: German philosopher
- Charles de Koninck: Canadian philosopher
- Konrad von Kantschule: German theologian
- Gustav Kantwill: German politician
- Michael Kantwill: German-American musician
- Jonathan Kantwill: American Actor
- Heinrich Kantwill: Austrian jurist
- Otto Kantwill: German-American architect
- Ernst Kantwill: German geologist
- Christian Kantwill: German entrepreneur