Surname Vornkahl - Meaning and Origin
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Vornkahl: What does the surname Vornkahl mean?
The last name Vornkahl is of German origin. It derives from the Middle High German word "vorn", meaning "in front of". The suffix "kahl" can refer to someone who is bald, or to a small wooded area.
Combined, the name Vornkahl could refer to someone who is prominent or stands out in some way. It could also be used to indicate someone who lives, or is related to someone, living in a wooded area.
Given its German roots, the surname Vornkahl can be found mostly in German-speaking countries today, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It can also be found among American and Canadian descendants of German immigrants who settled in the United States and Canada during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
In recent years, variations of the surname Vornkahl have emerged, such as Vornkehl, Vornkähl, and Von Kahl. These variations typically refer to the same family line, and are used mainly by those who emigrated out of Germany.
The surname Vornkahl may have been used to indicate the location from which an ancestor originated, or to indicate prominence within the family. Over the years, the name has changed and evolved, but it continues to be used as a sign of generational influence or heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisVornkahl: Where does the name Vornkahl come from?
The last name Vornkahl is most commonly found in western Germany, specifically in the states of Nord Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Hamburg. It is an occupational name which could be derived from the German word vorne, meaning "in front," and kahl, meaning "bald or shaven," suggesting someone who worked on the front.
In the 19th century, some members of the Vornkahl family emigrated from Germany to other parts of Europe and the United States. Throughout the late 19th century, many families bearing the Vornkahl name settled in the Midwestern United States, especially in Missouri.
Today, the Vornkahl name is still very popular in Germany. According to a 2019 German census, the Vornkahl family is one of the most common in Germany. In the 2000s, it was the 64th most common last name in the country and is believed to have more than 20,000 people with the name living in Germany.
Outside of Germany, the Vornkahl name is also quite common in the United States, especially in the Midwestern states. While information on more recent American immigration statistics is not currently available, the Vornkahl name was the 913th most common name in the United States in 1990, according to US Census Bureau data.
Variations of the surname Vornkahl
The surname Vornkahl has a number of variants and alternate spellings. It is derived from the German 'Vornkal', which means 'from the front part'. Other variations include Vornkal, Vornkalh, Vorncale, VornKahlh, Vorncal, Vorncale, Vornkehl, Vornkell, Vornkohl, Vornkoll, Vornirohl, and Vornikalh.
The variants of Vornkahl can also be found in surnames with various origins. In German-speaking countries, the genetic spelling of the name is often found as Vornkal, Vornkel, Vornkehl, or Vornkohl. In Italy, it can also be found as Vornka, Vornkaolo, and Vornkalli. In Austria, variants of Vornkahl also include Vörnkahl and Vurnkholl. In the Netherlands, the surname is often found as Vornkalh, Vornkehlo, Vornkell when the surname is Dutch-speaking.
The surname can also be found in various other spellings and variants in countries like the United States, Finland, Latvia, Russia, and Sweden. Vornkel, Vornkall, Vornka, and Vornkaolo can often be found in the United States, while Vornkallio and Vornkallu are common variants in Russia and Finland. In Latvia, the surname is found as Vornkeez whereas in Sweden, common variants of Vornkahl include Vornhall and Vornkal.
Famous people with the name Vornkahl
- Sheila Vornkahl: fashion merchandiser, creative director, political activist and environmentalist.
- Brad Vornkahl: former professional tennis player, coach, and now Senior Director of Coaching & Player Development at USTA Florida Tennis.
- Shaun Vornkahl: former Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the Washington Nationals and Florida Marlins.
- William Vornkahl: actor, writer, director, editor, and visual artist.
- Alois Vornkahl: German actor and writer who is best known for his roles in the TV series "Der Alte" and "Hubert und Staller".
- Christina Vornkahl: German figure skater who represented Germany at the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics.
- Joseph Vornkahl: American diplomat who is currently the United States Ambassador to Portugal.
- Jacob Vornkahl: German professional golfer on the Challenge Tour.
- Don Vornkahl: American mathematician and professor at Carnegie Mellon University.
- James Vornkahl: American equestrian and showjumping champion.