Surname Tunkel - Meaning and Origin
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Tunkel: What does the surname Tunkel mean?
The last name Tunkel is of German origin. The word "Tunkel" is derived from the Middle High Germanic word "Tuncel" which literally translates to "darkness". The name is likely derived from the location of a person's home or residence, as dwellings in dark or shady places were commonplace in medieval Germany. Such homes were often referred to as "Tunkel" or "tuncel".
Tunkel is an alternative spelling of the name "Tunkelmann". This name is derived from the Low German (or Zuddeutsche) word "Tunkelsman", which is a variation of the Middle high German word "Tuncelman", meaning "dweller in the dark".
The name Tunkel also has a spiritual base, having been applied to certain Christian clergy who wore dark-colored cassocks in early Germanic times. The name likely came to suggest a person who is deep in thought, slow of speech, and a person of considerable intellect or authority within their community.
Today, the last name Tunkel is found primarily scattered throughout Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria. It is also relatively common in North and South America, having been taken there by German migrants. In the U.S., it is rather common on the East coast, with Pennsylvania having the highest number of people with Tunkel as their last name.
Order DNA origin analysisTunkel: Where does the name Tunkel come from?
The last name Tunkel is of German origin and is most common in Germany and parts of Austria, as well as areas of the Czech Republic and Slovakia that were once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
In Germany, the name Tunkel can be found mainly in regions bordering Austria, such as Bavaria, Hessia, and Hessen. Other parts of Germany that have a higher rate of people with the last name Tunkel are the capital city of Berlin and the northern states of Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
When examining the prevalence of the name Tunkel outside of Germany, a few countries stand out. Slovakia shows a large amount of people with the last name Tunkel living in its westernmost regions, which were once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Additionally, many areas of the Czech Republic with substantial populations of German-speaking people also have a significant amount of people with this name.
In the United States, the last name Tunkel can be found mostly in the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as the Midwest in general. This is most likely due to a large amount of German immigration that took place in the region during the 19th century.
Overall, the last name Tunkel can be found in many countries in Europe and North America, the most common being Germany, followed by Austria, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. Additionally, with many descendants of German immigrants living in America and Canada, the name Tunkel can also be found in those countries as well.
Variations of the surname Tunkel
The surname Tunkel is found in many different spellings and variants around the world. It can be spelled Tunkele, Tunke, Dunkle, or Tunckel in Germany, and Dunkal, Dunkle, or Dunklin in the United States. In Russia, the surname Tunkel may be spelled Tunkel or Tunkelov.
The surname Tunkel can also refer to a few different ethnic lines. It is an English variation of Dunkel, which is a German Jewish surname derived from the Middle High German word dūnkele, which means “dark”. It is also a Yiddish variation of the German name Dunklin. This name is likely derived from Middle High German donkel, which means dark. Additionally, the name Tunkel may be derived from the Dutch word tonkel, meaning "family."
Tunkel may also have derived from the Old German word tunga, which was for the mouth or nose piece of armor. This surname is also found in Sweden, deriving from the Swedish words tungan, meaning "tongue" or "speech," and tunna, meaning "tub or barrel."
Variants of Tunkel can be found in countries all around the world. In eastern Europe, many versions of the name can be found, such as Tunkelo, Tuncal, Tunckel, Tunkel, Tunclov, Tunkal, Tunklo, Dunkao, Dunkar, Dunkal, Dunkel, Dunkle, Dunklo, and Dunklov. In western Europe, the name can be seen as Tyncel and Tyncell.
In general, most variants and spellings of the surname Tunkel have similar origins and contain a similar meaning. It can refer to a dark man or family, come from a word meaning platinum or silver, or have a link to metal armor protection.
Famous people with the name Tunkel
- Joe Tunkel: American professional golfer.
- Fritz Tunkel: German actor, director, and writer best known for his role in the German TV series Lukas.
- Hermann Tunkel: Austrian conductor and composer.
- Matthias Tunkel: German journalist and writer.
- Thomas Tunkel: American CEO of Air Products and Chemicals.
- Paul Tunkel: American publisher and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Immunology.
- Richard Tunkel: American musician, songwriter, producer, and former member of the pop band Go West.
- Alec Tunkel: Australian cricketer who plays for Victoria in the first-class game.
- John Tunkel: American geneticist and former professor at the University of California, San Diego.
- William Tunkel: American organist, conductor, and composer.