Surname Küntzer - Meaning and Origin
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Küntzer: What does the surname Küntzer mean?
The last name Küntzer is of German origin and tends to be found mainly in Germany. It is derived from derived from ‘Kunz’, an old diminutive of the name Konrad, meaning ‘brave counsel’. It is believed to have been used as a surname since the 12th century, and was used to describe someone who worked in the creation or protection of things, such as a Kunsthändler (an art dealer).
Often spelt Kuentzer in modern records, the surname saw an early spread with German immigration to other parts of the world. Most notably, it had a presence in the United States during the early 20th century. This was mainly due to the mass immigration of erratically recorded Germans to nations such as the United States, Canada, and Brazil in order to escape religious persecution and poverty at home.
Küntzer is the 39,339th most common surname in the world, held by around 0.19 people for every 100,000 people. With its ancient roots, the surname gives insight into the medieval origins of a once-powerful Germany. Those bearing the family name are of a structured, courageous and resourceful character, likely to have taken up an important role in the community in which they lived.
Order DNA origin analysisKüntzer: Where does the name Küntzer come from?
The last name Küntzer is a German surname of noble origin, mostly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is derived from the Old High German "Kuntze," meaning "a descendant of Kunta." The Küntzer family is believed to have originated in the 13th century in what is now North and East Germany, but the people bearing the name were also found in Bohemia, Austria, and Switzerland.
The presence of the Küntzer name and its variants (Küntz, Kintz, and Kuntz) can still be seen in certain parts of Germany and its neighboring countries. In Germany, the name is mainly found in Bavaria, with some also present in Thuringia and Saxony. In Austria, the Küntzer name is primarily concentrated in Lower Austria and Upper Austria, while in Switzerland, it appears mainly in Bern, St. Gallen, and Zurich.
As centuries have passed, members of the Küntzer family have ventured abroad and established roots in North America, South America, and beyond. While a majority of Küntzers in emigrated countries can trace their roots back to Germany, the name can also be found in the Czech Republic and other countries in Eastern Europe.
Nowadays, the Küntzer name continues to be alive and can be found in many countries around the world, with Germany particularly having a rich history with the name.
Variations of the surname Küntzer
The surname Küntzer is a variant spelling of the name Kuntzer, which can also take the form Künzer. All three spellings trace their origin back to Germany and other German-speaking regions of Europe.
Kuntzer is an occupational surname referencing someone who worked as a cooper or maker of barrels, tubs and other wooden containers. Due to the importance of these items in the transport or storage of trade goods, it is likely that the original bearer of this name was quite successful in his craft. Variations on this occupation include Künzer, Küntz or Küntzen and even Kauwnzer.
In England, a variant of the surname is found in the spelling Cuntz or Konitz, which was mainly found in the county of Norfolk. Variations of the surname have also been found in Prussia, in the form Kuntzer or Küntzer.
As with any name, variations can occur in spelling over time as people relocated. The surname Küntzer, and its variants, can be found in many other countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and Canada.
These variants, spellings and surnames all hold the same origin and have the same purpose in referencing a cooper. The most common surnames similar to Küntzer are King, Kinner, Kunz and Kuntz.
Famous people with the name Küntzer
- Andreas Küntzer: Andreas Küntzer is a renowned German actor, director, producer, and screenwriter.
- Theo Küntzer: Theo Küntzer is a former German football player who made 114 appearances for KFC Uerdingen 05 from 1980 to 1987.
- Evelin Küntzer: Evelin Küntzer is a German politician who has served as a member of the Bundestag since 2005. 4.Geoff Küntzer: Geoff Küntzer is a professional artist from Germany and founder of the ACP GmbH International Art Agency.
- Johannes Küntzer: Johannes Küntzer was a German musicologist who wrote a landmark work on the music of the 14th and 15th centuries.
- Eva Küntzer: Eva Küntzer is a German model and beauty pageant contestant who was the runner-up in the Miss Germany competition in 2004.
- Christiane Küntzer: Christiane Küntzer is a German painter and illustrator whose work has been featured in numerous galleries and exhibitions.
- Heinz Küntzer: Heinz Küntzer was a German civil engineer and bridge builder who designed several iconic bridges in the 1970s and 80s.
- Gerhard Küntzer: Gerhard Küntzer was a well-known German botanist and the author of several books on the topics of botany and plant ecology.
- Gerda Küntzer: Gerda Küntzer is a German architect and urban planner who has worked for multiple municipalities in Germany and other countries around the world.