Surname Könze - Meaning and Origin
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Könze: What does the surname Könze mean?
Könze is a German surname that is thought to have originated in Westphalia. It is derived from the word "könig", which translates to king. This surname was likely borne by individuals who served as kings during the Middle Ages.
The surname Könze is often thought to be a variation of the more common surname Koenig. It is believed that the two names originated from the same Germanic root and have a shared heritage. The Könze family is believed to have spread from its Westphalian roots throughout Europe.
Today, the Könze surname is found in many parts of the world. Individuals with this name can be found in parts of Europe, North and South America, and even Australia. Individuals of the Könze surname often take pride in their heritage, remembering the kings of the past that the surname is linked to.
The Könze surname is also connected to some notable figures, including Karl Konze, an 18th century painter, and Hans Könze, a 20th century German soldier. Given its historical roots, the Könze name is a link to a royal past that is still remembered with pride.
Order DNA origin analysisKönze: Where does the name Könze come from?
Könze is a surname common primarily in Germany, although it can also be found in some other countries around Europe. It is believed to have originated from the Middle High German word "konze", meaning "brave or warlike" or "loyal" and is often identified as coming from a Middle High German nickname.
Today, the surname Könze is most commonly found in Germany, specifically in the northern and eastern parts of the country near the borders of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Austria. Approximately 35,000 people carry it in Germany, with the highest concentrations found in cities such as Berlin, Hamburg, Dortmund, Dresden, and Leipzig.
Outside of Germany, Könze (with various other spellings) is also found in Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. However, there are few individuals carrying the name in each of these countries, out of a total population of around 140,000 with the surname worldwide.
It’s possible to trace the origins of the Könze family tree by finding records on genealogical databases such as Ancestry, where one finds mentions of the Könze surname as far back as the 1500s. Around this period, the surname was more generally seen written as "Konze", "Konnze", or "Konnz", indicating that the modern spelling we see today is likely the result of language evolution.
Variations of the surname Könze
The surname Könze (or Koenze in its German spelling) is of German origin. It is thought to come from the old German words ‘Konig’ meaning ‘king’ and ‘Ze’ meaning ‘power,’ suggesting that this was originally a name given to someone of royal blood or political influence.
Variants of this surname include Coenze, Koen, Koenz, Koenze, Conze, Konz, Konzee, and Koonze. The same surname can also be spelt depending on the language, such as Könze (German), Koonze (English), Kønze (Danish), Konze (Polish), and Könz (Hungarian).
Alternatively, a person could be identified by other surnames related to Könze, such as Koening, Koenigs, Kohn, Koch, Koeppe, Kohnen, Koonce and Kohnke.
The surname is very common in Germany, especially in eastern areas such as Northeastern Germany, Thuringia, Saxony, and the state of Brandenburg. It is also found in Austria, Luxembourg, and Switzerland, as well as various eastern European countries.
Könze is the most common spelling of the surname and is widespread throughout Europe. Regardless of its exact spelling, this surname will typically be pronounced to a similar degree across different languages.
Famous people with the name Könze
- Paul Könze: German singer-songwriter/musician who won awards for his operetta composition "Kiss Me, the Girl from Faraway" in 1994.
- Friedrich Könze: German sculptor and professor who trained at the Academy of Fine Arts in Berlin. He is known for two sculptures he designed to be placed at the entrance of the Berlin City Palace.
- Alexa Könze: German actress and singer who has starred in films such as "Is Anybody There" and "Life Is All You Get".
- Frank Könze: German nobleman and major general who served in the Prussian army.
- Inge Könze: German composer and professor of musicology who was recognized for her compositions of classical and modern music, as well as her work on musical education.
- Michael Könze: German-born Brazilian footballer who played for the national team at the 1982 World Cup.
- Silke Könze: German swimmer who won four medals at the European Short Course Championships in 2001.
- Jens Könze: German professional cyclist who won the bronze medal in the individual pursuit at the 2005 World Championships.
- Laura Könze: German-born Ecuadorian tennis player who won the women's single title at the Permanently Open Tennis Club tournament in 2007.
- Robert Könze: German orthodontist who founded the German Orthodontic Society and the World Orthodontic Association.