Surname Kienastl - Meaning and Origin

Kienastl: What does the surname Kienastl mean?

The surname Kienastl is derived from the Middle High German word "kienastl" (meaning a small fir tree). It is believed that the surname Kienastl was likely used to denote an individual from a location where such trees were abundant. Another possible explanation of the origin of the name comes from the combination of two German words "Kiefer" (meaning "pine") and "asteln" (meaning twig/shoot).

The surname Kienastl is generally recorded as originating in the area of Bavaria, in Germany. It is also recorded in Austria, Switzerland, and parts of the former Czechoslovakia and Hungary. The name is an occupational surname for those who worked in forestry, such as lumberjacks, carpenters, and timber merchants.

The coat of arms associated with the Kienastl surname features a stylized fir tree with a sun rising from behind it. The blazon definition for the coat of arms is: "Argent a Fir Tree Vert issuant from the Base between two Crosslets Gules." The shield is silver or white, which symbolizes sincerity, truth, peace, and innocence. The green color of the fir tree symbolizes the love of nature, hope for peace and harmony, and loyalty to the land. The two red crosslets represent courage and strength of will.

The Kienast family motto is: "Koking and working make the best of the day." This phrase serves as a reminder of the importance of collective effort in the pursuit of individual success.

Kienastl: Where does the name Kienastl come from?

The last name Kienastl is primarily found in the German-speaking countries of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. It is believed to have originated in the southern region of Germany, and today is most commonly found concentrated in central and southern Germany, as well as Austria and Switzerland.

The earliest known recorded occurrence of the name was in Bavaria in the late 1590s. It was also used throughout the 1600s and 1700s in Germany. However, it was not until the 1800s that the name grew in popularity, especially in the region of Austria-Hungary.

Today, Kienastl is still found primarily in parts of Germany, especially in the large cities such as Vienna and Munich. It is also still common in upper Austria, and the Swiss cantons of Geneva and Zurich.

Overall, the name Kienastl is a unique one but is still relatively common in the German-speaking world. It has retained its presence throughout the centuries and with the prominence of German-speaking countries on the global stage, the name Kienastl is sure to remain in the years to come.

Variations of the surname Kienastl

Kienastl is a rare German-Austrian surname derived from the old Austrian or German word Kien or Kiens, which means pine tree. Variants and spellings of this surname include Kienast, Kienastle, Kienastel, Kienaste, Kienastel, Kienatz and Kienams.

In addition to its variations, Kienastl is sometimes found in a variety of alternative surnames. One of the earliest of these is Kienangst, found in the city of Graz in Austria from the 16th century. Another variant is Kien-Nägels, found in the city of Basel in Switzerland in the 16th century. Another variant is Kiernastel, which appears in many German records in the 16th century. A more recent variant is Kienastli, found in the Austro-Hungarian Empire and in some places in the United States.

The Kienastl surname also appears in other countries under different spellings, including Kienestl in Hungary, Kienasta in Ukraine, Kienasz in Poland, Kienastt in Italy, Kienastel in the Netherlands, and Kienastr in the United Kingdom.

In the United States, some of the variations of the Kienastl surname are spelled Kienastel, Keinastel, Kienestel and Kienastel. These various spellings are all believed to be derived from the same Kienastl heritage.

Famous people with the name Kienastl

• Georg Kienastl: Georg Kienastl is an Austrian classical pianist and music professor who has become one of the leading pianists of his generation. He has released several highly acclaimed albums with Sony Classical and Orfeo, among others, and is a highly sought-after performer and teacher. Some of his most notable works include the album ‘The Art of George Kienastl’ and the recital ‘Austrian Piano Music of the 18th and 19th Centuries’.
• Hubert Kienastl: Hubert Kienastl is an Austrian physicist and professor at the Institute for Theoretical Physics in Innsbruck, Austria. His primary research interests are field theory and particle physics, but he has also written extensively about dark matter and other astrophysical phenomena. He is the co-editor of the 'Dark Universe' series of books.
• Danny Kienastl: Danny Kienastl is an Austrian photographer and maker of experimental films who lives and works in Vienna and London. His projects often see him exploring the boundaries between truth and fiction in order to complicate the relationship between the artist and his subjects. Some of his most notable works include the short films ‘The Dance of Love’ and ‘Passing Time’.
• Markus Kienastl: Markus Kienastl is an Austrian writer and television producer. He is best known for his work with the Austrian television channel ORF, which includes the series ‘Steirische Volksschauspiele’ and the documentary ‘ORF: Ein Blick in die Welt’. He has published such novels as ‘Die Stille’ and ‘Im Schatten des Berges’.
• Johann Kienastl: Johann Kienastl was an Austrian composer, organist, and conductor of the 19th century. He composed several sacred works for choir and orchestra, the most well-known of which is the cantata ‘Die Schöpfung’. He was also a member of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and worked closely with several popular conductors of the time.

Other surnames

Kienast