Surname Köhnlein - Meaning and Origin
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Köhnlein: What does the surname Köhnlein mean?
The last name Köhnlein is a German name most common in the region of Bavaria. It is derived from the German word "Köhn," a term used to describe merchants who owned and operated small businesses from a single location. Historically, those who bore the surname were usually people of modest means or tradesfolk who worked small crafts, such as shoemaking or tailoring.
The meaning of the word Köhnlein is an abbreviation of the German words "Köhne" and "Lerche," which translates to "Little Hawk" or "Lark". It is possible that the name indicates an ancestral connection to a family of falconers. Alternatively, the meaning could be taken to mean a small, delicate bird signifying a sense of gentleness and delicacy.
Due to the era in which this name originated, it is highly likely that the ancestral Köhnlein family were loyal members of the Catholic Church. This was the religion of most of Germany at this time and would have impacted the family's lifestyle and daily routines. It is also likely that the family would have been of a rural background, living in or close to the countryside and participating in rural-based activities such as farming and forestry.
The name Köhnlein is found in records dating as far back as the late 1700s, making it one of the oldest surviving family names in Germany. Today, the name is found in a wide range of locations throughout the world including Europe, North America, South America and Australia.
Order DNA origin analysisKöhnlein: Where does the name Köhnlein come from?
The last name Köhnlein is most commonly found in its native land of Germany. This German surname is thought to have originated from southern Germany and may have been derived from the Middle German personal name “küenelein” which likely means “brave one”. It appears to have been created as a nickname for someone with brave or admirable qualities.
Today, the last name Köhnlein is most commonly found in the southwest region of Germany, particularly in the states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Rhineland-Palatinate. It is also found throughout other parts of Germany, such as Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia, in northern Germany, and in the eastern regions of Saxony and Thuringia.
The last name Köhnlein is also found in other parts of Europe, such as Austria and Switzerland, as well as in parts of the United States, particularly in the states of Pennsylvania and New York. It has even been found in Canada as well.
With immigration and the global connectedness of the internet, the name Köhnlein has grown increasingly popular across the world. Its popularity and reach continue to spread and expand, making it a widely known last name throughout Germany and other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Köhnlein
The Köhnlein surname can have many variants and spellings because names can be spelled different ways in different languages and regions. The Köhnlein name can be spelled in Germany as Kohnlein, Kohlnlein, Kohnelein, Köhnelein or Kohnlehne. In other countries the surname could also be Koehnlein, Koelnlein, Koenleiin, Koehnelein or Koenlehne.
Surnames of the same origin that are variations of Köhnlein include Köhn, Kohn, Koehn, Koehne, Koen, Köhl, Kohl, Koehl, Koel, Koelh, Kaehn, Kaehne, Kaen, Köhling, Kohling, Koehling, Koehling, Koeling, Köhlen, Kohlen, Koehlen, Koehllen, Koellen, Köhler, Kohler, Koehler, Koehler, Koeler, and Köhle. Variants of these surnames can also be found in other countries and regions.
In the United States, similar surnames are Conely, Conley, Conlee, Conlee, Conleigh, Conlynn, Conlin, Conlon, Conoley, Koehn and Koenig. The French version of the surname is "Cohnlin" and the Biblical version is "(son of) Coen," with Dutch variants of "Konijn" and "Koenig." Some variants of the surname include Kahnlein, Kainlein, Coenlein, Cöhnlein, and Khanlein.
Whichever way the surname is spelled, the original is Köhnlein. Despite the many variations, the spelling, origin and meaning remains the same.
Famous people with the name Köhnlein
- Uta Köhnlein: German professional filmmaker
- Julius Köhnlein: German ecologist and professor
- Hermann Köhnlein: German sculptor
- Moritz Köhnlein: German actor
- Ludwig Köhnlein: German architect
- Theodor Köhnlein: German minister
- Hartwig Köhnlein: German theater director
- Matthias Köhnlein: German historian
- Jana Köhnlein: German writer, editor, and journalist
- Frieda Köhnlein: German author
- Johannes Köhnlein: German poet
- Maria Köhnlein: German artist
- Udo Köhnlein: GermanBonelli comic illustrator
- Adrienne Köhnlein: German activist
- Katharina Köhnlein: German composer
- Peter Köhnlein: German painting artist