Surname Kuhnwaldt - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kuhnwaldt: What does the surname Kuhnwaldt mean?
The last name Kuhnwaldt is a German name of Slavic origin, from the Middle High German word "kundenvelt" which means a pool or marshland. The name is derived from the region of Bohemia (in modern-day Czech Republic) from which it originated. Historically, the Kuhnwaldt name was associated with noble families in Bohemia, and it was common for those of this name to hold lands and titles.
Kuhnwaldt families would have typically been of peasant status, living and working on the lands they held as farmers most likely. Through marriages and other successive generations, Kuhnwaldts likely spread across various western European locations and throughout the centuries.
In modern times, the last name has retained its original meaning, and for many, it may still be associated with its Bohemian origins. Some variants of the name, such as Kühnwald, Kunwald, and Kunewald, can be found in records across Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Depending on language, the pronunciation of the name may be slightly different but is generally pronounced either “KUNE-WAULT” or “KOYN-VALT.” In some cases, the name is even spelled with a “Y” instead of an “U”.
The name Kuhnwaldt continues to be a representation of a family’s history and a unique identity, reminding its holder of their Bohemian roots and the importance of succession and preservation of culture.
Order DNA origin analysisKuhnwaldt: Where does the name Kuhnwaldt come from?
Kuhnwaldt is a last name of German origin, most commonly found in Germany and countries with a large German population, such as the United States. In Germany, the name is mainly concentrated in the area of Saxony-Anhalt whilst in the US it has spread to many states across the country.
The US census records show that in 2000, the biggest number of people bearing the name Kuhnwaldt lived in California followed by Florida, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Later, a more recent survey revealed that California, Texas, and Pennsylvania are still the US states with the most people that bear the name Kuhnwaldt.
Kuhnwaldt is also found in other countries with a sizable German population. In the Netherlands, it is present in the provinces of Noord-Holland and Zeeland, and is also commonly found in some regions of Argentina, Chile, and Paraguay.
Therefore, the name Kuhnwaldt can be found in many parts of the world today wherever German ancestry or German speaking communities have settled. Since it is a relatively uncommon name, most people bearing the surname will be directly related and will likely share some common heritage and background.
Variations of the surname Kuhnwaldt
Kuhnwaldt is the German patronymic surname, which is derived from the Middle High German name Kuno. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the name Kuhnwaldt include Kohnwald, Kohnwalt, Kohnwalts, Kühnwald, Kühnwalts, Künbold, and Kunboldt.
Kuhnwald is a variant of the name that is the most common in Germany. It is derived from the Middle High German word kun or kune, which means "kin, family, or race". Kohnwalt is another form of the original name, derived from the Middle High German word walt, which means "powerful".
Kühnwald is a variant of the original name that contains an umlaut (double dots) above the letter U, which is used to signal a difference in reading or pronunciation of the two letters. This variant is also derived from the Middle High German words Kuno and walt, but it is found more often in southern Germany and Austria.
Künbold is another variant of the name, which is derived from the Middle High German word kunobald, which means "bold family". Kunboldt is one of the rarest variants of the name, which is also derived from the Middle High German words kunobald and walt.
These are the variants, spellings, and surnames that are derived from the original name Kuhnwaldt. Each variant has its own unique pronunciation, origin, and culture, but they all trace their roots back to the same source - the Middle High German name Kuno.
Famous people with the name Kuhnwaldt
- Emmy-winning German actor Heino Ferch, born as Heino Kuhnwaldt
- Michael Kuhnwaldt, German producer, director and cinematographer
- Christina Kuhnwaldt, German dressage rider
- Nora Kuhnwaldt, German competitive athlete
- Tony Kuhnwaldt, retired Major League Baseball pitcher
- Sabine Kuhnwaldt, German Women’s World Cup alpine skier
- Robyn Kuhnwaldt, Australian actress
- Allan Kuhnwaldt, Chicago native filmmaker
- Richard Kuhnwaldt, American Catholic bishop
- Soccer player Estelle Kuhnwaldt
- Hur Hermankwami Kuhnwaldt, Kenyan activist
- Erwin Kuhnwaldt, Wehrmacht lieutenant colonel
- Julien Kuhnwaldt, French baritone
- German Glam rocker Michi "Kuhni" Kuhnwaldt
- Australian cricketer Wallace Kuhnwaldt
- American military officer Brigadier General William F. Kuhnwaldt
- Australian General Motors executive Campbell Kuhnwaldt
- Austrian engineer and inventor Paul Kuhnwaldt