Surname Kuemmel - Meaning and Origin
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Kuemmel: What does the surname Kuemmel mean?
The last name Kuemmel is a German surname. It originates from the Middle High German word "kuemel" which means caraway seed. It is a topographical surname derived from a man-made structure resembling the shape of a caraway seed, often made out of wood or stone. People would often give their dwelling this name, and eventually, it became a surname.
In some cases, the last name Kuemmel is an occupational surname which could mean a baker, apothecary or spice merchant. Such a person used caraway as a flavoring in their products, such as in breads or beer.
Kuemmel is also a Jewish name, derived from the Yiddish word "kuemmel". It is derived from the Hebrew "kammel" or "Ha-Ke-Ma-El", which means God who hears - a reference to the prophets Elijah and Elisha.
During the 18th century, many people with the last name Kuemmel emigrated from Germany to the United States and Canada. As of 2014, the Kuemmel surname is relatively uncommon, with less than 1,000 people in the United States bearing it.
Kuemmel is a unique surname, with a history that has spanned centuries and continents. Its origins are diverse, and with such a rich heritage, it is easy to understand why the name has endured.
Order DNA origin analysisKuemmel: Where does the name Kuemmel come from?
Today, the last name Kuemmel is most commonly found in Germany. It is particularly prevalent in the western regions of the country, including North Rhine-Westphalia, Hessen, and Rheinland-Pfalz. Records indicate that the surname spread across Germany as early as the 16th century and can trace its roots back to the Middle Ages.
The exact meaning of the name is not known for certain, although some sources suggest that it could have originated from the German word “Kümmel” which means caraway seed. Just like other common German last names, such as Schmidt, Schulz, and Weber, the name could, therefore, be associated with a profession or place of origin.
The name is also fairly common in the United States, particularly in the states of Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. It is thought that the Kuemmel name was first brought to the U.S. by German immigrants who settled in these locations during the 1800s.
In recent times, the Kuemmel name is most notably associated with entrepreneur and philanthropist, Harvey Kuemmel, who founded the Kuemmel Institute in California. He devoted much of his life to this cause, and the institute now works to promote the welfare of underprivileged children in the area, providing educational and medical opportunities.
Variations of the surname Kuemmel
The surname Kuemmel is found in various countries and variations of the spelling. The name is of Germanic origin and appears in many different spellings including Kummel, Kumel, Kuehmel, Kummell, Cummel, Kumell, Kühmel, Komel, Kömmel, Kömmell, Kuemmel, and Kümmel.
In Germany, the name is found all across the country in its many spelling, and often found in Bavaria.
In the United States where the name was brought in through German and Dutch immigrants, the most common spelling is Kummel. It is usually found in states such as Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.
Other variants of the name can be found in Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg, Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia as well as other parts of Europe. The most common version found in these countries is Kümmel.
Surnames derived from Kuemmel include Kummeler, Kommler, Kemmler, and Kummler.
In some cases, the name may be of Jewish origin, from the Yiddish word "kemhl". In all countries, the surname likely refers to a person who made or traded caraway, which was known in German as "Kümmel."
Famous people with the name Kuemmel
- Carsten Kuemmel: German film director and cinematographer.
- Chris Kuemmel: Australian football coach.
- Howard Kuemmel: American engineer and inventor.
- Johannes Kuemmel: German sculptor and medalist.
- Wilhelm Kuemmel: German painter and etcher.
- Herbert J. Kuemmel: American theatre historian and professor.
- Mark Kuemmel: American operatic bass.
- Arthur Edward Kuemmel: Canadian soldier and military hero.
- Carl Kuemmel: German theologian and Catholic writer.
- Heinrich Kuemmel: German entomologist and lepidopterist.
- Gottlieb Kuemmel: German-born American entomologist.
- Friedrich Kuemmel: German-American Lutheran theologian and professor.
- Pierre Kuemmel: French collector of 18th century catalogues.
- Rudolf M. Kuemmel: German poet, essayist, and translator.
- Brielle Kuemmel: American screenwriter, actress, and producer.