Surname Kunckel - Meaning and Origin
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Kunckel: What does the surname Kunckel mean?
The last name Kunckel is of German origin and is thought to have derived from the Middle High German word "Kuchel" which means "grain sieve". It is also associated with a river in East Prussia (today the Kaliningrad Region of Russia), where it may have been a local name of habitation.
It is believed that the Kunckel family originated in either the Upper Rhine, a region along the border between France, Switzerland, and Germany, or the Cologne area. Records of the name can be traced back to the 13th century.
Kunckel can be spelled in a variety of ways, including Cunckel, Kunkel, Kruckkel, Kukkel, and Kunzel. It is a very common name in Germany and many families bearing this name still live in the country today. The name may be found elsewhere in Europe, particularly in countries like Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, as well as in the US, Canada, and elsewhere in the Americas.
Kunckel is a patronymic name, meaning it was originally derived from the first name of the father of the original bearer. It can refer to a variety of given names such as Kunk, (medieval given name of uncertain origin) Kunz (an Old High German variant of Konrad) or Kunigunda (a German female given name).
Order DNA origin analysisKunckel: Where does the name Kunckel come from?
The last name Kunckel is of German origin starting in Medieval times. Its original meaning is derived from the name Kunkel, which is an old German word originally meaning “strong man” or “guardian”.
Today, Kunckel is mostly seen in German-speaking countries, such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In Germany, the majority of people with the last name Kunckel live in the south in the states of Bavaria, Hesse, Baden-Württemberg, and Rhineland-Palatinate.
The last name Kunckel remains quite rare in the United States and Canada, as immigration records show only sparse records of immigrants with this name. The few present-day residents with the last name Kunckel often trace their ancestors back to German immigrants who arrived in North America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. There is also a small but growing Dutch-American presence, especially in the province of Limburg in the Netherlands.
In conclusion, while the surname Kunckel is still around today, it remains quite rare in most countries outside of German-speaking countries. Those who do carry the name are often descendants of German immigrants from centuries ago who made their way to North America and the Netherlands.
Variations of the surname Kunckel
Kunckel is a rare German surname and a variant of Künkel that originated in Bavaria. The spelling of Kunckel is unique, and asides from its phonetic spelling, there are no other spellings or variants of the name.
The variations of the surnames Künkel and Kunkel, however, can be found in some surnames in Europe today such as Cunkell, Kunkele, Kunkell, Cunkele, Künkele and Gunkel. These surnames show minor spelling variations, but still derive their origin from the name Künkel.
The most prominent variant of Kunckel is the surname Conklin. It is a version of the name Kunkel that became popular with families migrating from German to England. The surname Conklin has also further evolved in English-speaking countries, becoming Conching and Conklyn.
The German surnames Kunckel and Künkel can also be found in the same name in several different forms in Poland, Sweden and Norway, including Koncki, Köncki, Kuncki, Kunkel, Könkälä, Konkol, Kunkel, Künkel and Künköl.
In the United States, Kunckel is an extremely rare surname whereas Kunkel is slightly more common. Several descendant spellings of the name can be found such as Kunkell, Kunkelman, Conklin, Conkling and Kunkelmann.
The surname Kunckel has spread all over the world over centuries, and while regional variations are still present, it retains its German originality and spelling, making it one of the rare family names today.
Famous people with the name Kunckel
- Johann Kunckel (1630: 1703): German chemist and Alchemist. He worked on the secrets of glassmaking and developed a method of creating phosphorescent materials.
- Johann Kunckel von Löwenstern (1716: 1795): German baron and diplomat. He was one of the most distinguished diplomats of his time and played an important role in determining the fate of Silesia during the War of the Austrian Succession.
- Johann Kreszentia Kunckel (1694: 1762): German painter and engraver. He was one of the most experienced and influential engravers of his time, creating artistic works which are considered to be among the best of their age.
- Wilhelm Kunckel (1610: 1675): German alchemist and theologian. He was a staunch defender of Luther's interpretation of the Bible and helped Ludwig XI in his reformation efforts.
- Auguste Kunckel (1798: 1885): German botanist and entomologist. He was a famous authority on plant physiology and zoology and wrote some important works on the classification of insects.
- Albert Kunckel (1817: 1899): German geologist. He was an foremost authority on geology in Germany during the 19th century and wrote extensively on the stratigraphy of the German Foreland.
- Johann Kunckel (1615: 1686): German Jesuit missionary. He was the founder of the Kunckel Mission, a feat which earned him sainthood in the Catholic Church.