Surname Kißlinger - Meaning and Origin
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Kißlinger: What does the surname Kißlinger mean?
The German surname Kißlinger is derived from the word "Kissling," which itself comes from the Middle High German word "kisen," meaning "to kiss". It is believed that the name was given to a family that was known for its affectionate nature. In some instances, the name might also come from the Old German word "kisil," meaning "swift" or "quick". In the old days, a person with this name was likely associated with speed and agility.
The surname Kißlinger is common in Germany, especially in the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. It is also a relatively common name in Austria and other German-speaking countries. It is believed to have first appeared in the Middle Ages and was found mainly in the present-day states of Bavaria and Austria.
Throughout history, some notable people with the surname Kißlinger include Jakob Kißlinger (1748-1814), a noted Austrian physician, composer and author, and Johannes Kißlinger (1781-1845), a German geologist who studied the mountain range called the Riesengebirge.
The Kißlingers are likely proud of their family name's long history and may claim that their ancestors were reputed for being fast, swift, and full of affection. They may also be proud that some of their ancestors went on to become notable individuals in history and science.
Order DNA origin analysisKißlinger: Where does the name Kißlinger come from?
Kißlinger is an Germanic surname found primarily in southern Germany today. It is most common in the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Due to its frequency in these areas, the name has also spread to some of Germany's surrounding countries. The name has a history that can be traced back to pre-medieval times when it could be found throughout Germany. After the Thirty Years' War, however, it gradually became concentrated in the south.
When researching its possible meanings, one may come across the German word “Kissling” which refers to a small fish. While it likely has nothing to do with the surname, this instructional example to illustrate how the surname might have evolved.
Kißlinger is likely derived from various personal names ending in “-ing,” such as Gunther, Math (Mathias) or Otto. Beyond its German roots, the name is also found in other countries with large, German-speaking populations like Australia, Austria, Israel, and the United States. This suggests that those bearing the surname Kißlinger may be descendents of German immigrants.
Though the name is now a rarity, Kißlinger is a surname that remains closely tied to its German roots. It is most commonly found in the south of Germany, but has spread to countries outside of Germany's borders over the centuries.
Variations of the surname Kißlinger
The surname Kißlinger is of German origin and has a number of variants, spellings, and surnames that stem from the same source. The spelling of Kißlinger is the most common version, and other related surnames that originate from the same source include Kisslinger, Kisslenker, Kishlinger, Kisling, Kissling, Keissling, Kesslinger, Kisslingen, Kesseling, Kissenger, Keßlinger and Keßling.
The surname has three primary origins, coming from the town of Kissing in Bavaria, the German district of Kissling, or K\"ulmnacht in Baden-Wurttemberg. As a result, the surname may reflect a geographical origin. It could also be derived from the personal name of "Kesa" which was popular during the Middle Ages in Germany, or from the name of a fief or settlement called "Kissan" or "Kessin".
The "Kißlinger" spelling is usually the most frequent of the variants, but as with most names, the spelling has changed over the centuries, and other variants have developed. For example, the spelling of Kisslinger is similar to the original but has been simplified. Spells which reflect a combination of the "Kiß-" and by extension the "-linger" sound include Keissling, Kesslinger, Kisslingen and Kissenger. This can be seen in other languages such as Dutch where the surname is spelt as Kieseling and Kehseling.
In the United States and Canada, the variant spelling of Kissling has become more popular as a result of immigration into the English-speaking countries. The Kissling spelling is also popular in Switzerland.
Finally, the surname may have been further mutated by anglicization of the spelling. For instance, Kishlinger is a more frequent version found in countries where the native language is not German.
Famous people with the name Kißlinger
- Solveig Kißlinger, German visual artist and gallery owner who works with intermedia art.
- Jessica Kißlinger, German film director and screenwriter who won the Bavarian Film Prize for Best Short Film in 2012.
- Rebecca Kißlinger, German field hockey player with several team and individual awards.
- Raquel Kißlinger, German Olympic ski jumper who competed in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin and 2010 in Vancouver.
- Erik Kißlinger, German professional football keeper for Erzgebirge Aue.
- Clemens Kißlinger, German Art historian and government advisor with several publications.
- Johanna Kißlinger, German actress who appeared in films such as Blue Night and TV series like SOKO Leipzig.
- Annamarie Kißlinger, German athlete and para-equestrian who has competed in the Paralympic Games since 2000.
- Johannes Kißlinger, German artist and designer who has won several awards in illustration and graphic design.
- Wolfgang Kißlinger, German journalist and non-fiction author who has published widely on topics of economy, technology, and exploration.