Surname Kunkel - Meaning and Origin

Journey Through iGENEA DNA Test: Unforeseen Revelations about my Kunkel Ancestry

As I journeyed through my iGENEA DNA test results, I was amazed by the fascinating and surprising details about my lineage. I found out that my ancestors were wanderers who migrated from Germany, had a trace of Jewish ancestry, and, my surname Kunkel scattered amusingly all across global corners.

X. Kunkel

Kunkel: What does the surname Kunkel mean?

The surname Kunkel is of German origin and it has two likely interpretations. It can be derived from the Middle High German term "kunkel," which means spindle and could represent an occupational name for a spinner or maker of spindles. Alternatively, it could stem from a geographical name, specifically from places named Kunkel, such as in the Rhineland, Germany. Surnames based on locations often indicated where a family originated or owned land. Therefore, a person named Kunkel could be a spinner, descendant of a spinner, or someone from a place named Kunkel or their descendants. Like many surnames, the exact definition can vary and it can have different meanings in different regions or amongst different families.

Kunkel: Where does the name Kunkel come from?

The surname Kunkel originates from Germany and it is derived from the Middle High German term "künkel," which means "spinning distaff," a tool used in spinning wool. Thus, it was likely an occupational surname given to someone who engaged in spinning or weaving. The distribution of the Kunkel surname in modern times is still significantly higher in Germany compared to other countries. However, it can also be found in places where German emigration was significant, such as the United States, Brazil, and Argentina. Specifically within the United States, this surname is more commonly found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and other Midwest states due to German migration patterns in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Variations of the surname Kunkel

The surname Kunkel is of German origin and has several variants, as well as spellings. Künkel, Küngel, Koengel, Künnkel, and Könkel are common variations that maintain the same pronunciation. The umlaut (ü) is especially significant in German language phonetics, but for non-German speakers, the spellings Künkel and Küngel could easily be imitated as Kunkel.

The surname Kunkel itself may have evolved from a variety of similar German surnames. One possibility is the surname Kunkle, which is a slightly anglicized version. Other possible variants include names like Kuenkel, Kenkel, Kinkel, and Konkel, all of which have a similar sound and would be pronounced the same in some German dialects.

Further spelling modifications could include Kundel, Kundle, Kunkal or Kunkol, in order to maintain the same phonetic principle - especially when the names were being registered in non-German speaking countries. In terms of surnames of the same origin but different spelling, the name Kunk is also a possibility.

Overall, the multitude of variants largely results from geographic dialect differences and translation into non-German languages, and these variants retain the surname's origin and general phonetic qualities.

Famous people with the name Kunkel

• Bob Kunkel: American actor known for his roles in films like Security (2017) and Cold Pressed Comedy (2018).
• Hans Kunkel: Swiss playwright and theatre director, renowned for his works Borderline (1967) and Endgame (1970).
• Evan Kunkel: American actor, best known for his roles in television shows such as Charmed (2018) and Commander in Chief (2006).
• Joe Kunkel: American drummer, composer, and percussionist, most famous for his work with bands like Ween and The Claypool Lennon Delirium.
• Charlie Kunkel, Jr.: American dramatist and lyricist, best known for writing the Broadway musicals Seventeen (1976) and Godspell (1971).
• Irmgard Kunkel: German illustrator, famous for her cover art for various classic novels including Alice in Wonderland and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
• Andreas Kunkel: Austrian singer, renowned for his tenor singing performances in operas such as Le Nozze di Figaro and Nabucco.
• Dean Kunkel: American composer, mainly known for releasing electro-acoustic music in the genres of ambient and space music.
• Lee Kunkel: American television writer and producer, widely known for his work in the series Friends (1994-2004) and Trauma (2009–2011).
• David Kunkel: American photographer and cinematographer, famous for his promotional photography and art direction for various films and shows.

Other surnames

KunkelmanKunkelmann