Surname Kineke - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kineke: What does the surname Kineke mean?
The last name Kineke is of German origin and derived from the given name ‘Küner’, which is a shortened version of 'Günther’. This was originally a nickname for an old or wise man, or a person with gray hair.
The name Kineke could be found in many German-speaking areas, including Bavaria, where it is now quite modernized. It is a common surname in today’s society, but its current spelling has slightly changed since the 1700s.
The original spelling, Kuner, was believed to mean ‘brave’ or ‘bold’, and the meaning for Kineke is thought to be a combination of Kuner with the suffix ‘ke’, which is used to refer to a person of a certain ethnicity or suchlike. Kineke is attributed to being an ethnic name for anyone of German descent.
Similarly, the name has taken other forms such as Kiner, Kinner and Kinzler. Today, Kineke is an often-used name for Germans travelling or living outside of Germany, as well as popular within the country itself.
Overall, the surname Kineke is of proud Germanic origin, and a testament to the family’s lineage. Its original meaning of ‘brave’ and ‘bold’ remains true today, and it is a name which many individuals can honourably bear.
Order DNA origin analysisKineke: Where does the name Kineke come from?
The last name Kineke is found most commonly today in the United States and Canada, with lesser concentrations in Europe, especially in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The surname's origin is from Middle High German, “Künicke”, meaning “king’s servant” or "royal one". It is thought to have originated with a member of the aristocracy in the Middle Ages that acted as a servant to the king.
In the U.S., the surname is most prominent in the Midwest, with large numbers in Pennsylvania and Illinois. Ohio, Indiana, and Minnesota also report significant numbers of Kineke's. In Canada, the last name is most strongly represented in British Columbia, Ontario, and Alberta.
Genealogical records report that Kineke's have been recorded in various spellings since the 12th century. The surname is often found with other Danish spellings, such as Kinning, Kinnick, Kynick, or Kyneke. Modern variants include Kunkle and Kunkel.
The United States census records for 2000 show over 700 Kineke's living in the United States, with an additional 130 in Canada. Since then, because of the growing popularity of genealogy and family history research, it is estimated that many more people have either uncovered this, or a variant spelling, as their last name in recent years.
Variations of the surname Kineke
The surname Kineke is a relatively uncommon one, originating possibly from Germanic or Scandinavian roots. It can take several different spellings and variants depending on the country or region of origin. In Germany and other parts of Europe, it may be spelled Keinke, Kinke, Kinneke, Keinke, or Kenke.
In the United States, the surname Kineke may be spelled Kineck, Kinnicke, Kinick, or Kinnek. It can also be found spelled Kinze or Kincke.
The name Kineke is also an anglicized version of two related Irish surnames – both Ó Cianaidh and Ó Coinneach. The former translates to “descendant of Cian” while the latter means “descendant of Coinneach”.
The surname Kineke can also be found in various other countries around the world such as Canada, Australia, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. The spelling often varies in these countries, as does the other related surnames.
In Scotland, Kineke may be spelled Kynnech or Kynnek, while in Wales its Kernick, Kernicki, or Kernik. Similarly, in the Netherlands and the rest of the Low Countries, it is Kinekingh or Kinneking. The Eastern European variations may include Kincaj and Kinke.
No matter where the surname Kineke originated from or the spelling of the name, it is clear that there are many variations of this surname throughout the world.
Famous people with the name Kineke
- Alexander Kineke: Former Major League Baseball outfielder and member of the United States Navy
- Boris Kineke: Former European Soccer player
- Emily Kineke: Author of the books Abandoning the Shackles of Success, A Path to Primal Joy, and Just Do It Differently
- Eric Kineke: Former American sprint coach and track and field coach
- Matt Kineke: Former rugby player for the United States national team
- Peter Kineke: New Zealand rugby league referee
- Rich Kineke: Former professional American football player
- Rotimi Kineke: African actor known for starring in the films Finding Happiness and Silent Cry
- Sinclair Kineke: British tennis player and former Wimbledon champion
- Stephen Kineke: Canadian track and field athlete