Surname Künel - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Künel: What does the surname Künel mean?
Künel is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word ‘kunel’, meaning ‘young rabbit’. It may have initially been given as a nickname to an individual with rabbit-like traits, a hunter of rabbits, or someone from a place associated with rabbits. Alternatively, it may have been derived from a medieval first name related to the Latin name 'Cunegund'.
The spelling of the surname can vary, and has also been seen in variants such as Kunel, Kunelius, Kunelj, Kunell, and Kuhnel.
It is mainly distributed throughout Germany, Chesarnian, Austria, and Switerland.
Künel is also a rare Jewish surname, making up less than 1% of all surnames in Israel. It is likely that these individuals of the Jewish faith adopted this German name out of convenience, as Jews in Medieval Germany had to adopt surnames from the local population.
Today, the surname Künel is mainly used by families of German, Chesarian, Austrian, and Swiss origin. It is also commonly found in Jewish families from those regions.
Order DNA origin analysisKünel: Where does the name Künel come from?
The last name Künel is most commonly found in German-speaking countries today, particularly in Germany and Austria. It is also found in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, parts of Eastern Europe, such as Poland and Hungary, and other countries with German populations like the United States, Canada, and Brazil.
The Künel surname is likely of Germanic origin, derived from the nickname “Künig”. This was a term of endearment for someone who was considered royal or noble, or even someone who was to be admired and respected. It is believed to have become popular in the medieval period and was eventually used to identify whole families or clans. It is thought to have evolved over time into forms like Künzel and finally Künel.
The last name Künel can still be seen in many areas with German-speaking populations today. It is most common in Germany and Austria, but variations of the name can also be found in neighboring countries, particularly Switzerland and Liechtenstein. It is also present among other overseas countries where Germans have settled, such as the United States, Canada, and Brazil.
The spelling of last names often varies slightly from place to place, which is somewhat reflected in the variation of the Künel spelling seen today. In some countries, such as the United States, the spelling may be closer to Kunnel or Kunel, while in others, such as Austria and Hungary, it might be closer to Künnel.
In any case, the Künel surname is still relatively common and is associated with Germanic origins. It can be found in many German-speaking countries today, as well as in other countries to which German populations have migrated over the years.
Variations of the surname Künel
The surname Künel, also spelled Kűnel, Kumel, Kűmell, Cünnl and Keunele, is of
German and East Prussian origin. It is derived from the Middle High German "kune" and the Old High German "kumil" for "brave", both of which could be translated to "courageous".
The surname has a longstanding historical presence among families with German ancestry. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there have been at least 33 individuals in the United States with the surname Künel listed in the last eight years. Similarly, individuals with the surname can be found in many European countries, particularly Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands.
Künel is believed to be the progenitor for many variants of the surname, including Kumel, Kűmell, Cünnl and Keunele. In some instances, it is believed that those who used the name Kumel were originally of East Prussian descent, where the surname was formed from the original German form. Additionally, those who held the name Cünnl were believed to have come from Austria. Lastly, those who altered the surname to Keunele were thought to be from the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate.
No matter the variant, those who have the surname Künel are believed to have descended from ancient warrior clans associated with bravery and strength. The wide variety of spellings of the surname is reflective of its long-standing history, as it has passed through many generations, contexts, and cultures.
Famous people with the name Künel
- Uschi Künel (German actress)
- Paul Künel (German conductor and composer)
- Markus Künel (German writer and theatre director)
- Johann Künel (Austrian writer, teacher, and journalist)
- Ashma Künel (Swiss comedian and cabaret artist)
- Jan Diek Künel (German army officer)
- Trudis Künel (German television actress)
- Mario Künel (Austrian singer, songwriter, and music producer)
- Gert Künel (German rower)
- Joachim Künel (German electrical engineer)
- Carsten Künel (German physician and academic)
- Nicolas Künel (Swiss artist and art photographer)
- Marc Künel (German industrial designer)
- Eugen Künel (German photographer)
- Henning Künel (German language professor and academic)
- Bernhard Künel (German mechanical engineer and professor)
- Johannes Künel (German lawyer)
- Manfred Künel (German entrepreneur and education leader)
- Harald Künel (German politician and jurist)
- Ariane Künel (German philosopher and academic)