Surname Kuehnel - Meaning and Origin
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Kuehnel: What does the surname Kuehnel mean?
The surname Kuehnel is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "künnele" meaning 'small corner'. It is an occupational surname for someone who lived in a small corner house or who worked in a corner shop.
The first recorded spelling of the name is Konrad Künnel in 1325 in Munster, Germany. It is likely the name Kuehnel arose when the language changed from Middle High German to Modern German, as the spelling of the name evolved.
The Kuehnel surname can be found in Germany, Switzerland, and some parts of the United States. The highest concentration of this surname is in Western and Southern Germany.
Kuehnel is a relatively uncommon name, but its meaning gives light to the persons who bear it and their ancestors. The Kuehnel families, wherever they might be, all share a vigorous spirit and determination, a product of living or working in a 'small corner'. Those with the Kuehnel name can be proud of their origins and legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisKuehnel: Where does the name Kuehnel come from?
The surname Kuehnel is most commonly found in countries of German origin, such as Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Luxembourg. It is also commonly found in the United States, Canada, other parts of Europe, Mexico, Peru, and Honduras.
The exact origins of the name have been lost to time, but it is believed to be derived from the German "kühn" or "kühe," meaning bold or gentle. This suggests that those with the Kuehnel surname would have been of a strong moral character.
The Kuehnel surname is prominent in Germany, especially in the large cities and metropolitan areas such as Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich. In Switzerland, many people with the surname Kuehnel originate from the mid-Western canton of Bern. In Austria, Kuehne is also quite common, but with a slight variant of the spelling "Kuehne" rather than "Kuehnel."
In the United States, those with the Kuehnel surname are most frequently found in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Large numbers of the Kuehnel family can also be found in the states of North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey, Illinois, and Florida.
In Canada, the highest concentrations of Kuehnel families can be found in the western provinces of Alberta and British Columbia.
Though the Kuehnel surname is most commonly associated with countries of German origin, it is also an international surname, found throughout the world in various countries, including Peru, Mexico, Honduras, and Brazil.
Variations of the surname Kuehnel
Kuehnel is an ancient German surname of aristocratic roots. Its variants and spellings vary greatly, but some of the more common variants seen include Kuhnel, Kuehnle, Kuneal, and Kunel, as well as regional spellings such as Kuhnle, Kühnle, Kühnel, Kühnl, Künehl, Kühnlein, Kühnle, and Genkel.
The Kuehnels were originally an aristocratic family that hailed from Germany and were among the noble families of Bavaria. This name was first recorded in memorial inscriptions in the Uckermark region of Prussia from the mid-13th century.
The Kuehnle surname is also derived from the German phrase "kuhn-Le," which refers to a leader or ruler. In the 16th century, the Kuehnles held large tracts of land in the Uckermark area and were respected members of the local aristocracy. Eventually, the family spread throughout Europe as they pursued careers in the military, government, and business.
Today, Kuehnel and its variants and spellings are still widely found throughout Germany and large parts of Europe including Austria, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Denmark. Immigrants to the United States and Canada also brought the name with them, and its variants and spellings can now be found all over the world.
Famous people with the name Kuehnel
- Johannes Kuehnel: German Architect who designed the Salzburg Cathedral, otherwise known as St. Vergil's Cathedral, in 1614.
- Günter Kuehnel: Former German Footballer who played in nearly 500 professional matches for a number of teams, most notably Mainz 05.
- Andreas Kuehnel: Saxophonist of The Saxcats, a German jazz band hailing from Hanover.
- Peter Kuehnel: German Actor best known for his roles in "Kardinal & Co", "The Baader Meinhof Complex", and "The Reader".
- Andrew Kuehnel: American Film Composer known for his work on "Cold Mountain", "Cast Away", and "Moulin Rouge!".
- Thomas Kuehnel: Swiss Artist, sculptor, and philosopher noted for his bronze statues and digital images.
- Meg Kuehnel: American Art Director who has worked on a number of feature films, including "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "The Tempest".
- Alfred Kuehnel: Austrian Physicist known for his research on the behavior of atomic nuclei.
- Manfred Kuehnel: German Chemist and Distinguished Professor at the University of Ulm, noted for his work on cell signaling processes.
- Uwe Kuehnel: German Drummer in the heavy metal bands Paragon and Veteran.