Surname Kienle - Meaning and Origin

Fastening the Roots: A Personal Reflection on Ancestral Connection Through the iGENEA DNA Test

The iGENEA DNA test was a revelatory journey into my family's past, casting a new light on the surname Kienle and my familial identity. The results have increased my appreciation for our German roots, and they bring a closer connection to my ancestry, in addition to providing an evolving understanding of the origins, migrations, and experiences of my forebears. Both the historical and cultural insights were a fascinating and enriching exploration of the Kienle lineage.

I. Kienle

Kienle: What does the surname Kienle mean?

The surname Kienle is of Germanic or Swiss-German origin. It is believed to be derived either from the German word “Kien” which means oak and would originally have referred to someone who lived near an oak tree, or from the Old Swiss German word “Kienläck”, meaning “oak meadow”.

Kienle is an occupational surname, indicating a worker or dweller in a place related to the production, growth, nurturing, or harvesting of oak trees or oak timber. The primary source of wealth for such an individual would likely have been related to the trade in timber or wood goods, including carpentry, wagon building, boat building, and home construction.

The surname Kienle can be seen in abundance in areas of southern Germany, Switzerland, and northern Italy, and is believed to have been taken by immigrants to America as early as the colonial period. While some variants of the Kienle surname can be found as far back as the 1550s in Germany, the vast majority of bearers arrived in the United States during the 19th century, seeking the opportunity for religious and economic freedom.

Today, the surname Kienle remains an uncommon one both in Germany and in the United States. Those who share the surname, however, can take pride in their ancestor’s industrious and creative craftsmanship, and are likely to have family roots that stretch back to Germany or Switzerland.

Kienle: Where does the name Kienle come from?

The last name Kienle is mainly found in Germany today. It is a surname that is indigenous to the Bavaria region and is derived from the German words "kien" and "le". Kienle is also a common surname in Austria and Switzerland, although it is relatively rare in other parts of the world.

In Germany, Kienle is a fairly common name. Some of the popular locations where it is found include Saxony, Baden-Württemberg, Lower Saxony, Rheinland-Pfalz, and Bavaria. Records show that the name mostly originated near Ulm, which is located at the edge of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. From there, it spread to other parts of Bavaria and further afield.

The Kienle surname is closely related to other surnames such as Kienlen and Kaiserle. These variations are likely derived from medieval German spelling trends. As Bavarian surnames go, Kienle is fairly new, having only been recorded since the 15th century.

The Kienle surname is also found in the United States and Canada. However, it is likely that any Kienles in North America are actually immigrants from Europe. American records show that the first Kienle arrived in the United States in 1817. Many Kienles found in the US today are likely descendants of this first immigrant.

Variations of the surname Kienle

The surname Kienle is of German origin, derived from the German word for “oak tree”. Variations of this surname include a few spellings, such as Kienel, Keynel, Kienal, Keinel, and Kienel.

There are some variations in the spelling of the surname Kienle which could be attributed to either regional or familial differences. For example, some common variations are Kiernle, Keynele, Kenle, Kienel. There are also some variants of the surname Kienle which use different suffixes such as -er, -mann, -ig, or -vich. These can be used to describe a variation of the name due to occupation, location or nationality. For example, Keiner, Keinermann, Keinig or Keinvich.

Other surnames related to Kienle include: Keehnle, Kienelt, Kienal, Keinlein, Kienl, Keinle, and Keinele.

Additionally, there are variations in the surname Kienle depending upon regional differences. In parts of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, the name can be spelled as Kienlle. In the United States, the Kienle name is more commonly spelled as Keenle or Kienle.

Generally, the surnames Kienle, Keinle, Kienl, Kienel, Keinlein, Keehnle, Keinle, Kienelt, Kienal, KEiner, Keinermann, Keinig, and Keinvich are all derived from the same German word for “oak tree.” Therefore, they are all connected in one way or another.

Famous people with the name Kienle

• Marco Kienle: German professional triathlete who competes in long-distance triathlons. He is the reigning Ironman Champion and four-time Ironman 70.3 World Champion.
• Sven Kienle: German professional triathlete who is an eight-time Ironman Champion and seven-time 70.3 Champion.
• Kathleen Kienle: Former Irish long-distance runner who competed in several international events, including the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in 1983 and the 1996 Summer Olympics.
• Braden Kienle: Somali-American sprinter from California who is the 11th ranked 200m runner in the state.
• Shawn Kienle: American professional triathlete who has won multiple national and international titles in his sport.
• Karl Kienle: German professional triathlete who is a two-time Ironman 70.3 champion.
• Julius Kienle: German professional triathlete who is an Ironman 70.3 champion and Olympic-distance triathlete.
• Nicholas Kienle: German professional triathlete who is an Ironman 70.3 champion and two-time Ironman Champion.
• Monique Kienle: American-born French-Algerian triathlete who is an Ironman champion, having won the Ironman France race in 2017.
• Tazio Kienle: German professional triathlete who is among the world’s best middle distance triathletes.

Other surnames

KienlechnerKienleinKienleitnerKienlenKienlin