Surname Kuenzle - Meaning and Origin
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Kuenzle: What does the surname Kuenzle mean?
The last name Kuenzle is an occupational surname originating from Switzerland. The name is derived from the Old High German words "kuni", meaning "ironsmith" or "blacksmith", and "zel", meaning "woodworking tool or utensil". As a result, the surname is translated to mean "metalworker", most likely a craftsman who worked with metals, such as a blacksmith or locksmith.
It is believed that the Kuenzle surname first originated among the industrious, hardworking inhabitants of the Alpine region of Switzerland, where many generations of Kuenzles worked in fields such as metalworking, and especially locksmithing. This employment provided a source of income for the family, allowing them to settle and thrive in the region.
The surname Kuenzle is still quite common throughout Switzerland and Germany, as well as other nations within the European Union, having spread mainly by the migrations of its bearers in search of political and economic opportunity. As it boasts a proud history, the Kuenzle surname brings with it a sense of accomplishment and pride for those who bear it.
Order DNA origin analysisKuenzle: Where does the name Kuenzle come from?
The last name Kuenzle is primarily associated with Europe, most notably Switzerland. Kuenzle is a Swiss-German surname derived from the word kunz, which means “nub”, “point”, or “knob”. This perfect name for an up and coming family of traders. The Kuenzles could have sold pinions, a kind of flower shrub, during market days and left an indelible mark of the family name on the countryside.
Today, the Kuenzle name is highly concentrated in Switzerland, but it remains quite common elsewhere in Europe, especially in Northern Italy, Southern France, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary. Additionally, it is increasingly popular in German-speaking communities all over the world, including the United States, South Africa, Canada, Australia, and Brazil.
In the US, the Kuenzle surname can be found especially in the states of Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, California, and Maryland. Smaller pockets of Kuenzles can also be found scattered throughout other states.
Kuenzles are usually of Swiss-German heritage with a combination of Germanic and Celtic elements. Kuenzles are proud of their strong pioneering spirit which was likely modeled after their ancestors who vigorously spread the family name throughout Europe. They’re also known for being “up and coming” entrepreneurs and traders, perhaps taking after their namesake, the flower shrub pinion peddlers. Today the Kuenzle family legacy continues to thrive in many countries throughout the world.
Variations of the surname Kuenzle
The surname Kuenzle is of German origin and is spelled in a variety of ways including Koenigle, Künigle, Königle, Kuenigle, KRingle, Kringle, Krinigle, Krinigly, Krinigel, Krinigill, Krenzle, Krenigle, Krenigly, Krenigill, Kunzle, Königli, Konigley, Conigli, Kuney, Kunys, and Koensigh. The name is likely derived from the pre-7th century German word kunig, meaning “Royal one” or “Prince”.
Variants of Kuenzle include Künig, Kunze, Kuenz, Kuentschi, and Künsle. Spellings of the surname Kuenzle can also vary depending on the country or language the origin originated from including Künigle, Koenigle, Königle, Kuenigle, KRingle, Kringle, Krinigle, Krinigly, Krinigel, Krinigill, Krenzle, Krenigle, Krenigly, Krenigill, Kunzle, Königli, Konigley, Conigli, Kuney, Kunys, and Koensigh.
Surnames of similar origin to Kuenzle include Kuhn, Kunz, Kuntz, Kuntzmann, Kunze, Kunsmann, Künzel, Künzli, and King. There are also some instances where the name has been anglicised, such as Kincaid or King.
Finally, there are also alternative surnames derived from Kuenzle such as Künzli, Künzlau, and Kunely.
Famous people with the name Kuenzle
- Adolf Kuenzle: Swiss architect, mainly active in the canton of Aargau.
- Mark Kuenzle: German former footballer who played as a striker.
- Kurt Kuenzle: Swiss composer, conductor and music teacher.
- Steve Kuenzle: American former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball.
- Arthur Kuenzle: Swiss artist, author and sculptor of religious works.
- Michelle Kuenzle: Canadian artistic gymnast who was part of the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
- Cathy Kuenzle: Swiss former alpine skier.
- Armin Kuenzle: Swiss dietician and professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich.
- Mike Kuenzle: American professional ice hockey player.
- Christina Kuenzle: Swiss former alpine skier.