Surname Kinzl - Meaning and Origin
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Kinzl: What does the surname Kinzl mean?
The surname Kinzl is an ancient German name that is believed to have originated in Austria. The name is derived from the Old German word "Kunizl" which means a small hill located close to a river or stream. It is also believed to have derived from the Middle High German slang word "kinzal" which meant "little king".
The Kinzl surname is thought to have been first established in Austria in the Tuscan region and is associated with folk legends from the 12th century. Over time, the name extended farther into Bavaria, and eventually spread into parts of Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and even as far as the United States.
The Kinzls were known to be noble and hardworking farmers, who gradually became landowners and merchants in the 18th century, through their hard work and dedication to their craft. Many famous individuals with this surname have contributed to German culture and history including Johannz Kinzl, a lawyer who was involved in the Wurzburg scandal in 1796, Konrad Kinzl, a famous Austrian playwright from the late 19th century, and Anton Kinzl, a well-known scientist who developed a technique for improving the efficiency of hydraulic turbines in the early 20th century.
Currently, the surname Kinzl is still found in many places throughout Europe, and even the United States. It has become associated with a sense of loyalty, hard work and nobility, which makes it a last name that is admired and respected.
Order DNA origin analysisKinzl: Where does the name Kinzl come from?
The surname Kinzl is fairly uncommon and is mainly found in Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic. It is most common in the south of Austria, with concentrations in the states of Tyrol, Bavaria, and Carinthia.
The last name Kinzl originated in Austria, likely based on the German name for someone who lived in a mine or tunnel, or on an area where ore was mined. It could also have derived from a nickname for a courageous person who had a talent for mining metals.
The Kinzl family was first found in the Middle Ages and likely had its roots in ancient folklore. It was likely brought to the region by Germanic tribes in the 5th century.
Kinzl containing surnames such as Zinkl, Zinck, Zonkel, Kunkel, Konkle, and Zoncle are hundreds of years old, most dating back to the 1300s.
In Austria, the name is still found today in some of the smaller settlements in Tyrol and Bavaria. The Kinzl surname is also scattered around many countries in Central Europe, mainly in German-speaking regions.
Outside Austria and Germany, the Kinzl surname can be found in New Zealand, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Finland. However, its numbers are much smaller in these countries than in Austria and Germany.
Variations of the surname Kinzl
The surname Kinzl is derived from the Latin personal name Conzal or Conzyal. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin are:
• Kinczal
• Kinzie
• Kints
• Kinsel
• Kinzal
• Kinsal
• Kinson
• Kinsela
• Conzal
• Conzyal
The variations of Kinzl are primarily found among German and Austrian families although there are some examples among American families of German origin as well. One of the earliest mentions of the surname was found in 1275 when Konrad Kinczol was mentioned in an annal of the Bavarian city of Regensburg.
The surname Kinzal is often used interchangeably with names such as Kinzel and Kinzl in some instances. However, the spelling of this surname is unique and is not commonly used. Additionally, the surname Kinsel is often confused with Kinzl as the two sound alike in many contexts.
The surname Kinzal is also frequently found as Kinsal in both Germany and America, this variant being primarily found among German immigrants in the 19th century. Additionally, Kinson is considered an Anglicised form of the surname as well.
In other cases, Kinzl is also found in the form of Kinzie or Kinsela. These variants are primarily found among American families whose ancestors originated from Germany or Austria.
The prevalence of the Kinzl surname suggests that it is of ancient origins. The surname remains popular to this day and is a testament to the strength of its original family history.
Famous people with the name Kinzl
- Peter Kinzl: Austrian ice hockey forward who was a member of the EHC Black Wings Linz of the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga
- Ferdinand Kinzl: Austrian composer, conductor, and musicologist
- Wulf Kinzl: a sociologist and Austrian autonomy advocate
- Helmut Kinzl: Austrian politician who served in the National Council
- Frank Kinzl: Germany-born American football wide receiver who played for Stuttgarter Kickers and Union Berlin
- Milton Kinzl: German fencer who competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics
- Johann Kinzl: Austrian geologist and glaciologist
- Erich Kinzl: Austrian sculptor
- Fritz Kinzl: Austrian footballer who played as a goalkeeper for several clubs in the Austrian and German leagues