Surname Kien - Meaning and Origin
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Kien: What does the surname Kien mean?
The last name Kien (or Kein) has Germanic-Norse origins and is derived from the Old Frankish word ‘kion,’ referring to a residence or estate. The spelling variations of this name include Keyne, Kein, Keyen, Keene, Ken, Keane, and Kien. Historically, the c prefix was used as a diminutive form of the name, indicating "son of Kien" when used in combination with the father's name.
The name Kien has been particularly found in Saxony and Hanover, Germany, in counties such as Erfurt, Brandenburg, Thuringia, Hess, and Westfalia. In the 1500s, it was also found among Swedish and Norwegian farmers. The name eventually spread throughout the world, including areas of the United States and Canada.
Kien was traditionally a patronymic surname, so its meaning is used to indicate a person from the same family line, as this typified the feudal system and the role of lineages to differentiate relationships. It is also used to indicate the boundaries between different families. For the most part, the name is used to represent lineage and heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisKien: Where does the name Kien come from?
The last name Kien is most common today in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. It originated in China, and was believed to be an esteemed surname that symbolized strength and superiority during the Qing Dynasty. Variations of the name include Kien, Kyen, Keyen, and Kean, and the most common spelling today is Kien.
In Vietnam, Kien is one of the five most common surnames, with an estimated 4.5 million people having the name. Most Kiens in the country can trace their ancestry to Northern Vietnam. The name is also the seventh most popular surname in Laos, and the third most common in Cambodia.
Kiens are also found in other parts of the world, in Europe, the Americas, and South Asia. In the United States, Kien is most prevalent in California and Texas, where high concentrations of immigrants from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos have settled over the past few decades. In Canada, the number of people with the surname Kien is significantly smaller than in the US, numbering only a few hundred.
No matter what corner of the world a Kien is from, the meaning of the surname remains the same: one who is strong and noble. The last name has been carried through generations, with families worldwide valuing the meaning behind it.
Variations of the surname Kien
The surname Kien has variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Kienzle, Kieninger, Kienle, Kieninger, Kienast, Kientzle, and Kienlein.
Kienzle is a patronymic name, derived from the Middle High German personal name ‘Kien’. It is also an occupational name, which indicates someone who made shoes. The spelling variation Kientzle comes from the dialect spoken in the German states of Bavaria and Baden.
Kieninger is a variation of the surname Kienzle. It is perhaps derived from Kien, and is a reduced form of the personal name Konrad, which means ‘bold advisor’. It is an occupational name, and indicates someone who belongs to the guild of shoemakers.
Kienle is derived from Kien, and originates from a personal name. It indicates a shoemaker and is an occupational surname.
Kienast is derived from a personal name, Kientz, which is derived from Kientzle. Kientz is a reduced form of the personal name Konrad. As with other patronymic names, it points to someone from a shoemaking family.
Kientzle is derived from the Middle High German personal name ‘Kien’. It is an occupational name, which indicates someone who made shoes.
Kienlein is also a patronymic name, derived from the Old High German personal name ‘Kien’, which means ‘brave, determined’. It is also an occupational name, pointing to a shoemaker's family.
Famous people with the name Kien
- Nguyen Thi Kim Kien: Vietnamese politician and diplomat
- Pham Xuan Kien: Vietnamese general and army officer
- Bui The Kien: Vietnamese businesswoman and property mogul
- Hoang Kien: Vietnamese entrepreneur, investor and media mogul
- Kien Truong: Vietnamese actor and model
- Kim Cương Kien: Vietnamese singer and songwriter
- Trần Thế Kien: Vietnamese actor, martial artist and director
- Kien Hoang Le: Vietnamese business entrepreneur and real estate developer
- Kien Ba Ngoc: Vietnamese pop singer
- Hoa Kien: Vietnamese singer and songwriter