Surname Künzl - Meaning and Origin
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Künzl: What does the surname Künzl mean?
The surname Künzl is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word kunesel, meaning ‘unfortunate one’. It is also sometimes linked to the German word kunz, which means ‘bold’ or ‘courageous’.
The surname first appeared in records during the 13th century in what is now southern Germany. During the 16th century, it was spread to northern Germany, including to the area near Berlin, where many people with this surname still reside today.
From Germany, the surname made its way to other countries, including the United States. The first record of the name in the United States was in 1795 when an immigrant by the name of Peter Künzl settled in Baltimore, Maryland.
Through the generations, people with the surname of Künzl have held a variety of professions, including farmer, doctor, lawyer and in more recent times, scientist, businessperson and even artist.
The meaning of the surname is still connected to courage and boldness. Perhaps this is why the surname is found in many places and is still part of the modern world.
Order DNA origin analysisKünzl: Where does the name Künzl come from?
The last name Künzl is most commonly seen in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland today. The name is derived from the German word "Künzel", which is a diminutive of "Konrad" suggesting its origin is from a personal name. It is believed that the family first originated in Bavaria and then spread into other German-speaking areas.
In Germany, the Künzl name is most prevalent in Bavaria but can also be seen in the states of North Rhine Westphalia, Hesse, and Saxony. In Austria, it is most common in the states of Upper Austria, Lower Austria, and Vienna. Finally, in Switzerland, the most prominent location to see this name is in the Canton of St. Gallen.
Within Germany, the name is often seen in the southwest, specifically in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Rhineland Palatinate, as the family was among the first to settle in this region of Germany. As a result, historically, the name is frequently found on old maps and documents from the Middle Ages.
In modern times, the Künzl family name has spread beyond its origins and can now be seen in Canada, United States, Australia, and New Zealand as well as mingling with other cultures in the United Kingdom.
Overall, the Künzl family name is still most prominently seen in its original homeland of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, where it has remained faithful to its origins.
Variations of the surname Künzl
The surname Künzl is derived from the Old High German word 'kunz' meaning 'bold', 'brave', or 'skilful'. Künzl is a widely popular spelling in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Variants and alternate spellings of Künzl are Kunzle, Kunzel, Cunz, Cunzl, Cunzel, Cunzle, Conzle, Conz, and Conzel. These variants apply to both thefeminine and masculine spellings of the surname.
In the US, the surname may be spelled as Kunz or Kunze. In the Netherlands, it is also spelled as Koonze. In Luxembourg, it may be spelled as Cunz, Kones, Maischmenn, Nikles, or Niklies. In Poland, variants include Kuns, Kunsztal, Junkel, and Kunzal. In Russian-speaking countries, the surname is spelled as Kuntz or Kuntsev.In Ukraine, it may be spelled as Konz, Konzkyi, or Kuntsevych.
The patronymic surnames derived from Künzl include Kunzmann, Cunz, Conzemann, Kunzle, Kunzel, Kunzler, and Kuntze. The matronymic surnames derived from Künzl are Kunz, Kunzmann, Kunzle, and Kunzler. The hyphenated surnames of Künzl are Kunz-Lehmann, Cunz-Lüth, and Cunz-Schmidt.
The Künzl surname may be found amongst individuals of German descent around the world, as well as those from Russia, Ukraine, Poland, and Luxembourg. People with this surname can trace their roots back to medieval Germanic conquest and settlement of Europe. As the surname evolved, variations were adopted in different countries, allowing the Künzl name to be passed down through generations of families of many nationalities.
Famous people with the name Künzl
- Katharina Künzl: Austrian professional ice hockey player who won a gold medal with the Austrian women's national ice hockey team during the 2014 Winter Olympics.
- Lothar Künzl: Contemporary artist from Heidelberg, Germany whose work has been featured in a number of international exhibitions.
- Christoph Künzl: German painter and sculptor known for his hyperrealistic style.
- Ludwig Künzl: Austrian sculptor and medalist known for his contributions to the realist tradition.
- Janos Künzl: Hungarian sprint kayaker who won two gold medals at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
- Karl Künzl: Bohemian-Austrian enamel painter who made important contributions to Porzellanmanufaktur Nymphenburg.
- Matthias Künzl: 19th-century Austrian physician and botanist best known for his extensive research on insects.
- Franz Künzl: Austrian painter and sculptor known for his hyperrealist depictions of nature.
- Ulrich Künzl: German actor who had roles on the popular crime series Tatort and Alarm für Cobra 11.
- Christian Künzl: Austrian lawyer and politician who served as the Minister of Justice in the Austrian government from 1984 to 1986.