Surname Linnenkugel - Meaning and Origin
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Linnenkugel: What does the surname Linnenkugel mean?
The last name Linnenkugel is of German origin, coming from the Middle High German word 'Linnenkugel' which means “linen ball”.
The name likely originated as a nickname for someone who made linen clothes or crafted items from linen such as balls, pillows, and bedding. The surname is considered to be a topographic name, or a surname that refers to a geographical area or a physical feature. In this case, it may have referred to someone who lived in a place where linen was produced or sold.
The earliest known recorded instance of the name was in the early 18th century in Germany, with the name appearing in Germany’s oldest surviving church and civil records. It is a fairly common surname throughout Germany even today, with the highest concentration in the states of Hesse and Lower Saxony.
In the United States, the name Linnenkugel is a fairly rare surname. The earliest recorded instance was in the 1830s in Pennsylvania, with small numbers arriving later to Wisconsin and Minnesota in the mid-19th century.
The name can also be found throughout other countries in Europe and in Canada. In France, the name is spelled 'Linnenkugel', while in Belgium it is spelled 'Linenkugel'. In South Africa, the surname is recorded as 'Lennkugel', and in Australia, 'Linienkugel'.
The name Linnenkugel is still a popular family name, with many members of the family tracing their roots back to Germany. It is a reminder of their ancestors' hard work and dedication to work with linen and craft items from it.
Order DNA origin analysisLinnenkugel: Where does the name Linnenkugel come from?
The last name Linnenkugel is found most commonly in the Midwestern United States. This includes states such as Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota. The surname has been found in U.S. records since the early 1800s, with the majority of Linnenkugel families living in Wisconsin and Illinois.
The origin of the name Linnenkugel is often linked to Germany, more specifically the area of southwestern Germany that formerly belonged to the German Empire. In medieval times, a “Linnenkugel” was a type of cookie that was handmade with flour, eggs, sugar, and other ingredients. It is believed that the first Linnenkugel family to immigrate to America brought the name and the recipe for these cookies with them.
Today, the surname Linnenkugel is primarily concentrated in Wisconsin, followed by Illinois and Iowa. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, there were 189 Linnenkugel households in Wisconsin, 79 in Illinois, and 45 in Iowa. The majority of Linnenkugel families living in the U.S. today are still found in the Midwest, though some have moved to other parts of the country.
In general, the Linnenkugel family has a strong presence in the Midwestern U.S. and has a long and proud history of immigration to America. The original cookies they brought with them from Germany almost two hundred years ago still bring a smile to the faces of many families today, making the Linnenkugel name well-known and well-loved in the Midwest.
Variations of the surname Linnenkugel
The surname Linnenkugel is generally thought to be a Germanic patronymic name that originates from a medieval phrase meaning "kin of the linen-bag makers". It is derived from the words linnen or "linen" and kugel or "bag or pouch". It is commonly found as Lonnenkugel, Linninkogle, Linnenkugle, Linnikugel, Linnenkugel, Linnenkugle, Linnikkogle, Linninckogel, Lonnenkugle, and Linnenkogle.
In addition, it is also found as alternative surnames that show an interchangeable spelling of the name, such as Linninkogle, Linnenkugel, Lonnenkugel, Lonnikogle, Lonnikugel, and Linnekugel. It is also found in two variant spellings: Linnenkugel and Lonnenkugel.
The surname is most likely derived from a Germanic name, as historically, most Germanic peoples used names that conveyed ancestral occupations, physical characteristics, or a given region or location. Therefore, it is possible that the surname was created by the combination of two words to signify an ancestral trade of linen bag making. As an occupational surname, it is believed that this version of the name referred to someone who made or sold linen bags.
The spelling variations of the surname Linnenkugel demonstrate the cultural complexity and individual variation of this Germanic name. It has served as a reminder of the surname’s heritage and its unique effect on Germanic culture.
Famous people with the name Linnenkugel
- Jacob Linnenkugel: A founding partner of the Leinenkugel's Brewery.
- Clyde Linnenkugel: An American Member of Congress from Wisconsin (from 1942–1955).
- Nick Linnenkugel: An American Major League Baseball pitcher.
- William Linnenkugel: A Master Brewer at the Leinenkugel's Brewery and great-grandson of the brewery founder.
- Henry Linnenkugel: The first Leinenkugel's brewer and founder of the Leinenkugel's Brewery.
- John Linnenkugel: A state representative in Wisconsin (from 1991–2002).
- Catherine Linnenkugel: A pioneering female Master Brewer at the Leinenkugel's Brewery.
- Brian Linnenkugel: An American musician, artist, and producer.
- Michael Linnenkugel: A Supreme Court Justice in Wisconsin (from 1998–2010).
- Francis Linnenkugel: A noted German-American brewer and great-grandson of the founder of the Leinenkugel's Brewery.