Surname Kiehnke - Meaning and Origin
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Kiehnke: What does the surname Kiehnke mean?
The last name Kiehnke is an old Germanic surname with two main possible meanings.
The first meaning is associated with the landscape and originates from the Old High German word “chunni” or “kuni” which means “slope” or “high ground”. It could refer to someone who lived on the side of a hill or someone who had derived their surname from a place name.
The second possible meaning is associated with the family or craft, and derived from the Old High German “kuoni” and the Middle High German “kiehnke” which refer to a bow maker, a leatherworker or a wheelwright. It denoted someone who was associated with these crafts.
The Kiehnke name dates back to the middle ages in Germany, and it is found across the country. There are believed to be three main family lines, in the south of Germany, the east of Germany and around Berlin. The family lines can be traced as far back as the 1700s and many family members emigrated to the US and other countries around the world at different points in time.
The Kiehnke surname is a unique and interesting piece of German history and culture. It provides a fascinating look into the lives of generations of German people and helps to trace the roots and lineage of those who proudly bear this name.
Order DNA origin analysisKiehnke: Where does the name Kiehnke come from?
The last name Kiehnke is most commonly found in Germany, and other German-speaking countries such as Austria and Switzerland. It is believed to have originated in northern county Bavaria.
In addition to Germany, the name is also common in the United States. According to the 2018 US census, over 4,000 Americans of Germanic descent carry the name. Kiehnke is notably present in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area, the southeastern United States, and the Midwest. There are also many Kiehnkes in the states of California, Oregon, and Washington.
People with the family name Kiehnke have different interpretations of its origin. Some believe it is a derivative of a German word for “bee-keeper”, and others theorize that it was an occupational name for a wedge or lever maker.
Kiehnke is a relatively uncommon name among other countries. According to the 2019 Canadian Census, there were fewer than 500 residents with the last name Kiehnke, primarily concentrated in Ontario, but present elsewhere in Canada such as the western provinces. Kiehnke is similarly scarce in Australia and New Zealand, although it is slowly gaining in popularity.
The global reach of Kiehnke is at least in part thanks to the military. Many Kiehnkes have served or are currently serving in the armed forces, expanding the name to foreign countries. As the individuals are honourably discharged, they have the opportunity to remain in the country, thus giving rise to Kiehnke diasporas in many nations.
Variations of the surname Kiehnke
The surname Kiehnke is of German origin. It is derived from the Old German word "kioh", which means "red-haired" or "red-bearded". Variants of this surname include Kienke, Kiehne, Kihne, Kynke, Kyhnke, Kyhne, Kijnke, Kyne, Kya, and Kyane.
Kiehnke is most commonly found in Germany, the US, and other countries throughout Europe. It is one of the most popular surnames in Germany and is also found in countries such as Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Austria.
Alternative spellings include Keinke, Kehnke, Kehne, Kaehnke, Kaehne, Kaenke, Kaene, Kahenke, Kahene, Kahnke, Kahne, Kainke, Kaenke, Kaehne, Kaenne, Kinke, Kynke, Kinne, Kyne, Kynne, Kyhnke, and Kyhne.
Other related surnames include Köhnke, Kohnke, and Köhne. These all derive from the same root as Kiehnke and are different variations on the same spelling.
There are also many variants of Kiehnke that are found in the United States and other countries throughout the world. These include Keyhnke, Kienke, Kienzle, Keyhne, Keyne, Keynez, Kienck, Kienk, Kiencke, Kincke, Kinke, Kinck, Kinckle, Kynckle, and Kienz.
Overall, Kiehnke is an extremely versatile surname with many spelling variations and related names. No matter what variant of this surname is chosen, it will always be of German origin and refer to a "red-haired" or "red-bearded" ancestor.
Famous people with the name Kiehnke
- Sheriff John Kiehnke, a pioneer of New York's 118th Police Precinct, who died while on duty.
- Daniel Kiehnke, an American actor and stuntman, best known for his work in Cloverfield (2008).
- Theodore Kiehnke, a German-American entomologist and educator, known for his contributions to the University of Munich and the Natural History Museum in Munich.
- George Kiehnke, an American artist, known for his portrait and mural commissions, including works for the White House, U.S. Capitol, and the Library of Congress.
- Roger Kiehnke, a former major league baseball pitcher who played in the Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets.
- Brad Kiehnke, an American Football offensive lineman who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers.
- Alexa Kiehnke, an American singer-songwriter, best known for her song "Wildest Dreams" which was featured in the film The Hangover Part II (2011).
- Inge Kiehnke, a former East German speed skater and cross-country skier, who competed at the 1972 and 1976 Winter Olympics.
- Charlotte Kiehnke, a German film actress, who is best known for her role in the 1966 film The King's Awakening.
- Karl Kiehnke, a German-American sculptor, who is widely noted for his bronze statues of Germanic superheroes.