Surname Küchle - Meaning and Origin
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Küchle: What does the surname Küchle mean?
Küchle is a German, Austrian, and Swiss surname with many variations including Kuechle, Kuchle, Kuichle, Kuechlin, Kuichlin, Kuichling, Kuchelin, Koechle, Kuich, Kuechel, and Kuechelin. The exact origin and meaning of Küchle are difficult to decisively determine because of these many variations and also due to the absence of any known classical or medieval documents mentioning the surname.
However, surnames of German origin often derive from personal names of characters found in folk tales or legendary stories. Thus, it could be argued that Küchle may be derived from such a character. In this regard, "Küchle" has been suggested to have originated as a nickname for someone who was presumably small or diminutive in size, as derived from the German word "Küchel" which is related to modern German words, such as "Kucki" and "Kuckie", meaning "little one".
Another plausible etymology for Küchle is from the German word "Kuche" meaning "kitchen", suggesting a possible origin of the surname for someone who worked in a kitchen. Finally, it has been suggested that Küchle may be derived from the pre-7th century word "kuohho", referring to a type of stone found in Germany.
Whatever its origin and meaning may be, Küchle remains a significant German, Austrian, and Swiss surname with many variations and variant spellings. While it is difficult to firmly establish the origin and meaning of Küchle, the family name does have a long and distinguished history, having been associated with many prominent families across Europe.
Order DNA origin analysisKüchle: Where does the name Küchle come from?
The last name Küchle is most commonly found in central and western Germany. It is most prevalent in the state of Baden-Württemberg, where it is ranked as the 349th most common surname. Küchle is also a common last name in the nearby states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria.
Across Germany, Küchle is a relatively common name, but its popularity has been in decline over the past half century. In the 1950s, Küchle was the 152nd most common surname in the country, but by 1989 it had fallen to 288th. This could reflect increased migration in the post-war period leading to more diverse and widespread surnames.
The name is also common among German immigrants in other parts of the world, particularly in the United States, where it was the 225th most commonly reported surname in the 2020 census. Outside of these countries, Küchle is a much less common name and is virtually unheard of in many places. For example, it is not a commonly found surname in the United Kingdom or most other European countries.
Overall, Küchle is an uncommon but not rare surname. It is most commonly found in the German-speaking region and is particularly popular in the western part of the country. Beyond this region, however, the name is much rarer and is rarely encountered in other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Küchle
The surname Küchle is a common surname found mainly in Austria and parts of Germany. It is an occupational surname, which means that the original bearer of the name most likely worked in baking or pastry-making. Although Küchle is the most common spelling of this surname, it can also be found in variants such as Kuchle, Kuechle, Kuechli, Kuechlin, Kuechling, and Kuchling.
In Austria, Küchle is the most frequently encountered spelling of this surname. In Germany, Kuchle and Kuechle are the most common variants. In the United States, Kuechle and Kuchle are the most prevalent variants.
This surname can also be found in spelling variations such as Kuchlin, Kuechlin, Kuchling, Kuechling, Kuichlin, Kuichling, Kuechlein, Kuichlein, Kuechlien, and Kuichlien. The surname is also occasionally found as Kuhle and Kuehl.
Surnames that likely arose as variants of Küchle include Köchle, Köchlin, Küchel, Kuchel, Küegel, Kuegel, Kegel, Kigel, Kügl, Kegl, and Kugl. These surnames also indicate that the original bearer may have been an occupationally-related baker.
Overall, Küchle is a commonly found surname around Austria and parts of Germany. Various spellings, spellings of the same origin, and related surnames can all be found in the area.
Famous people with the name Küchle
- Sebastian Küchle: German self-taught photographer based in Berlin.
- Franz Küchle: Swiss historian, politician and chronicler.
- Friedrich Küchle: German esotericist scholar.
- Hans Küchle: German physicist and astronomer.
- Walter Küchle: Swiss former sports shooter.
- Hans Küchle: German professional football manager.
- Maria Küchle: German architect and urban planner.
- Susanne Küchle: German Paralympic swimmer.
- Michael Küchle: German orthopedic surgeon.
- Günther Küchle: German musician and composer.
- Hans Küchle: German poet and critic.
- Willi Küchle: German former professional cyclist.
- Richard Küchle: German former footballer.