Surname Kienapfel - Meaning and Origin
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Kienapfel: What does the surname Kienapfel mean?
The surname Kienapfel is of German origin, and a variant spelling of the surname Kinapple. The name is thought to be derived from the old German word Kienapfel, meaning “cider apple” in English. The name was likely first adopted by someone who worked in the apple cider industry, either as a grower, a seller, or a producer of cider.
In the Middle Ages, apples were an important crop in many regions of Germany. Apples were used to make a variety of products—including cider—that were widely consumed around the country. Depending on the area, a person with the surname Kienapfel could have been involved in the production or sale of apples and cider long ago.
Today, the meaning of the name has been lost, although it continues to be proudly used by its many descendants. Its variants, Kinapple and Kienapple, are also seen in Germany and North America. The surnames have become a part of the individual and collective ancestry of Germany, as well as its neighboring countries. It is a reminder of the connection between the past and present, and of the importance of the apple industry in its history.
Order DNA origin analysisKienapfel: Where does the name Kienapfel come from?
The last name Kienapfel is most often seen in Germany, presumably originating from the Germanic tribes that migrated there before the 10th century. It is also seen in some parts of Austria, most likely a result of German migrants who moved eastward or some drop-offs from a larger migration wave. Kienapfel is a fairly rare name, so it is not likely to be found in large numbers outside of the Germanic speaking countries.
Tracing the surname a little further back, the family history becomes slightly obscure. The name and its variants (Kienapfe, Kienapple, Kienapel, Kienapf, Kynapfel, etc.) are thought to be derived from the Middle Low German Kienapf, meaning honeycomb. This could suggest that the Kienapfel family was associated with honey or beekeeping, as some surnames were derived from a trade or craft.
In the present day, the last name Kienapfel is still rather rare, with a few families still carrying it in Germany, Austria and other parts of Europe. The United States also maintains a small number of people with this name, indicating previous immigration from Europe in search of a better life.
Variations of the surname Kienapfel
The surname Kienapfel can be variously spelled in many different ways, including Kienapple, Kienapfel, Kienaple, Kienappel, Kienappel, Kienapple, Kienapplie, Kienapl, Kienaplee, Kienepel, Kienoppel, Kieneple, Kienaple, Kienapfle, Kienapfly, Kienappli, Kienapeli, Kienaploe, and Kienappul.
Kienapfel is a Germanic surname which originated in Saxony in the early 19th century, when surnames were introduced by the upper classes, and eventually became mandatory in many parts of the country. The surname can also be traced to areas of Old Saxony, such as Brandenburg and Silesia.
The origin of the surname is believed to have been derived from a combination of two German words: "Kien" meaning "pine cone" and "Apfel" meaning "apple". This combination could have two meanings; that the first holder of the name had a profession involving pine cones, like a lumberjack or gardener, or that it indicated a physical resemblance to the shape of an apple.
Several variations of the original spelling of Kienapfel have been found in many areas of Germany, including Kynapple, Kienppel, Kienoppel, Kieneppli, and Kienapeli. There are also several surnames derived from Kienapfel, including Kienapfely, Kienappl, Kienapler, Kienapple, Kienepfel, Kienoppel, and Kienapfly. As immigrants moved to different countries, the spelling of the surname also changed, and so there are variants and spellings of Kienapfel found in America and elsewhere.
Famous people with the name Kienapfel
- Rebecca Kienapfel: Rebecca is a multi-disciplinary artist known for her immersive installations, 3-dimensional art, sculptures, and public art.
- Jacques Kienapfel: Jacques is a French film and television actor best known for his role in the French comedy-drama King of the World.
- Mathias Kienapfel: Mathias is an Austrian composer and producer of electronic and contemporary music.
- Charles Kienapfel: Charles is a German classical guitarist and composer of classical and contemporary music.
- David Kienapfel: David is an American audio engineer and recording studio owner, who has worked with numerous rock, pop, and R&B music artists.
- Uli Kienapfel: Uli is a German software engineer, technology entrepreneur, and inventor who is best known for his work in web development and web security.
- Olga Kienapfel: Olga is a Croatian-American professor and architectural historian who specializes in the history of post World-War II architecture in Berlin.
- Rupert Kienapfel: Rupert is an Austrian businessman and entrepreneur who is the managing director of a media company.
- Dieter Kienapfel: Dieter is a German lawyer and politician who is a member of the Green Party and is a member of the Landtag of Rhineland-Palatinate.