Surname Kientzle - Meaning and Origin
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Kientzle: What does the surname Kientzle mean?
The last name Kientzle is of German origin and is believed to be derived from the word “Kintz,” which means “edge” or “corner.” It’s a patronymic surname, which means it was created from the father’s given name, and usually referred to the person living near or in a corner of the village.
The alternative spelling “Kienzle” is also found in the German language, which translates to “one who lives near, or in a corner.” Therefore, anyone with the last name Kientzle or Kienzle are likely descendants of a person who was either living in a corner home, or whose ancestor’s house was located near a corner of their village.
The surname is found distributed throughout Germany, including in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Hesse.
Kienzle and Kientzle are both uncommon names in the United States, however there are some individuals found in bits of Wisconsin and Michigan. Although there is no one single definitive origin of the name, a large majority of them likely trace their roots back to their German forebears.
Considering the history and etymology of the name, it’s likely that Kientzle is a name that conveys a sense of belonging and community, with the name being passed down from one generation to the next.
Order DNA origin analysisKientzle: Where does the name Kientzle come from?
The surname Kientzle is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In Germany, it is particularly common in the south-western regions of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Saarland.
Austria has the highest concentration of the name Kientzle with by far the largest concentration in the district of Steiermark in the southeastern state of Styria. Several small municipalities and smaller towns have particularly high concentrations of the Kientzle surname, such as Judenburg and Thörl-Maglern in Styria, Straightensee in Lower Austria and Schnürpflingen in Bavaria.
In Switzerland, Kientzle is most common in the canton of Thurgau, particularly in the municipalities of Bichelsee-Balterswil and Kreuzlingen, with resonable concentrations in other cantons such as St. Gallen and Aargau.
Today, it is estimated that fewer than 1500 people in the world bear the Kientzle surname, making it a relatively rare name.
Variations of the surname Kientzle
The surname Kientzle has several variations, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Kintzle, Kintzler, Kientz, Kientzl, Koentzle, Koentzler, Kentsle, Kentsler, Kentzle, Kentzler, Kintzlin, Kintzli and Kintzle.
The earliest records of the name Kientzle date back to the 13th century in Germany, when the name was spelt "Kyntzli". During this time, surnames were largely based on a particular region, occupation, or other distinguishing mark of the individual. The original spelling of Kientzle might have evolved over the centuries, with adaptation to different languages, dialects, and times in history, but the core origin of the name has remained intact.
The various spellings and surnames of the same origin all stem from the high German word "kynttzen", meaning "to look around" or "to deliberate". In some places, an "a" might become an "e", leading to spellings such as Kientzle. Alternatively, depending on the region and the language, double consonants might become single, or single consonants would be doubled. This is why you can also see the surname spelled as "Kintzler" and "Kintzle".
The surname Kientzle is not especially common, but is shared by people in various countries around the world, including the United States, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary. In general, these different spellings and surnames of the same origin are all interchangeable and reference to the same family heritage.
Famous people with the name Kientzle
- Rob Kientzle: He is an American videographer, cinematographer, and director who has contributed to various feature films, commercials, and documentaries.
- Tim Kientzle: He is an American sculptor, painter, and installation artist known for his large-scale public installations around the world.
- Miguel Kientzle: He is an actor, director, writer, and producer who has worked on numerous films, television series, and off-Broadway plays.
- Chris Kientzle: He is a Grammy-winning record producer and songwriter.
- Quentin Kientzle: He is an inventor and entrepreneur who specializes in creative problem-solving across a wide variety of industries.
- Alissa Kientzle: She is a psychologist, author, and public speaker.
- Kristina Kientzle: She is a photographer known for her striking black-and-white portraitures.
- Douglas Kientzle: He is the former president and CEO of Wells Fargo Bank.
- Jodie Kientzle: She is a makeup artist and designer who is known for her bold and creative theatrical looks.
- David Kientzle: He is a medical scientist and neurologist who has made breakthroughs in patients with neurodegenerative disorders.