Surname Unkel - Meaning and Origin

Unkel: What does the surname Unkel mean?

The last name Unkel is believed to have derived from an old Germanic word, "Unkolar," which is thought to have denoted the noble class. This belief is supported by the fact that many people with the last name Unkel held positions of power and influence throughout history.

The prevalence of the Unkel name can be traced back to the middle ages, mostly in the central German states. It is believed that members of the same family may have interacted and intermarried among each other, leading to the proliferation of the Unkel name. However, the in-descendants of the Unkel family have also been found in surrounding countries, particularly in northeastern Germany.

The Unkel surname is believed to signify old wealth and power. Individuals from the Unkel family were generally influential, excelling in fields such as politics, military, and industry.They were a prominent family during the Germanic period, and held many noble positions and estates. The Unkel family has achieved many accomplishments throughout history and its members are, arguably, among the oldest and most widely recorded of Germanic Origin.

In modern times, the prevalence of the Unkel name has declined, but examples of the family are still found around the world. A review of the family’s origins and tradition reveals a proud heritage and long and rich history.

Unkel: Where does the name Unkel come from?

The last name Unkel is most commonly found in Germany. It is thought to have originated in the Middle Ages with early German settlers. There are currently more than 1,100 people in Germany with this surname. Of the more than 750 distinct families in Germany that have the name, some are located in the larger cities such as Berlin and Hamburg, while others are scattered throughout small villages and towns. Additionally, there are people with the Unkel surname in other countries such as the United States, Austria, France and Israel.

In the United States, Unkel is most likely to be found in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Nevada, and Michigan. The majority of these individuals were likely descendants of the same early German settlers. In Austria, the name is most common in the eastern provinces of Burgenland and Steiermark. In France, the last name is most commonly found in the northeast region, including Lorraine and Champagne-Ardenne.

It is not possible to know exactly how or why the migrations of the Unkel family occurred, but it is likely that they were the result of some economic or political situation. In some cases, the differences in religious beliefs between groups might also have been a contributing factor.

Variations of the surname Unkel

The surname Unkel is of Germanic origin and is derived from the German word "unkel". The most common spelling is Unkel, but there are a number of other spellings and variants of this name as well. These include Unkle, Unke, Unkal, Unkell, Unkells, Unkelles, Unckles, Unckill, and Unckle.

Another variant of the Unkel surname is Unkles. This form is believed to have derived from the Anglo-Saxon name Uncel or Uncels, which was a nickname for a family member or friend who was always reliable. Likewise, Unkel is often used as a nickname for a reliable family member or friend.

The surname Unkel may also appear as Uinket, Wenkel, Unckle, Unkle, Unkelle, Unkele, Unkeles, Unkeley, Unkely, Unckley, Unkelye, or Unkley. Namesakes of the Unkel surname may also appear in a variety of different spellings, including Unckles, Unkels, Winkle, Unckly, Unkleys, Unckes, Uncle, Uncill, Unckell, Uncksters, Uenkle, Uncam, and Uinkles.

In some cases, Unkel may also be used as a first name, such as Unkle Bob or Bob Unkel. In addition, the surname Unkel may be found in some Jewish lines, where it is spelled Unkle or Unkles.

The namesakes of the Unkel surname are found in numerous countries around the world, including Germany, England, the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Famous people with the name Unkel

• Manfred Unkel: German politician and former member of the Social Democratic Party, served as Minister for Labour, Health, Social Affairs, Women, and Family in the Rhineland-Palatinate state from 1998 to 2011.
• David Unkel: Emmy Award-winning American director, cinematographer and editor, known for his work on the television series The Leftovers and Silicon Valley.
• Martin Unkel: Norwegian politician for the Labour Party, former Minister of Health, and was a Member of the Norwegian parliament in 2009-2017.
• Solveig Unkel: Norwegian novelist and former diplomat, awarded with the Norwegian Academy of Literature Prize in 2011 for her novel Usynlige vegger (2011).
• Paul Unkel: American singer-songwriter, known for his albums Burning Daylight and Heartland.
• Jeff Unkel: American journalist, former editor-in-chief of the San Jose/Silicon Valley Business Journal, and author of the books Leadership Forum: Definitive Solutions to Every Executive's Most Pressing Problems and The Business of App Development.
• Karsten Unkel: German media theorist, professor in the media cultures research field at the University of Arts and Design in Karlsruhe, and the author of ten books.
• Erich Unkel: German physicist, former professor at the Technical University of Munich and the founder of the Institut für Angewandte Physik Ulm.
• Wolfgang Unkel: German actor and amateur lyricist, known for his roles in the films The White Trophy and Into the Sun.
• Ursula Unkel: German radio journalist, formerly the head of the Berlin broadcasting centre of SWR.

Other surnames

UnkeferUnkelbachUnkellUnkels