Surname Kienzel - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kienzel: What does the surname Kienzel mean?
The last name Kienzel is an German-Austrian surname of a noble origin. Its meaning is believed to be derived from the old German name 'Kien', which means 'noble', and the German-Austrian word 'Zel(l)', meaning 'corner stone' or 'corner'. The surname likely originated in the southeastern region of Austria at least as early as the 16th century, and likely comes from two families of nobility who pushed back against the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. It is believed that in order to signify their noble status, they became known as the Kienzels.
The name first became prominent in Schleswig-Holstein, where the Kienzel family established itself through achievement and service to the state. Through the ages, the family members became musicians, teachers, scholars and missionaries, as well as holding positions in politics, business, and the military.
Today, the name is shared by many people around the world, especially in the US, Brazil, Germany, Canada, Spain, and other European countries. The surname is also associated with a notable reservation in the Schmallenberg area of Germany.
In conclusion, the last name Kienzel means 'noble corner stone' and likely originated in Austria in the 16th century. It has since been adopted by various families around the world, becoming a part of European culture and history.
Order DNA origin analysisKienzel: Where does the name Kienzel come from?
The last name Kienzel is most commonly found today in Germany, where it is particularly concentrated in the northern region of Saxony and the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Brandenburg. According to the 2019 data from the United States Census Bureau, it ranks as the 13,878th most common surname in the United States, and according to WorldNames PublicProfiler, Kienzel is also found in Austria, Switzerland, Poland, France, Denmark, and the Czech Republic.
The German meaning of the surname Kienzel is of old German origin. It is derived from the Latin word "canna" and translates to "pipe" or "water pipe." This likely indicates that the original bearers of the name were in some way connected to plumbing. This origin is also reflected in other similar surnames like Cannel, with its French roots, and Kanal, which is derived from the Old Slovak word for "channel."
The most common forms of the surname Kienzel today with various spellings are Kienzle, Kienle, Kantel, and Censil. The coat of arms associated with the surname Kienzel has a shield that is silver, a gold helmet, and a silver griffin as its crest. It was adopted, most likely, due to the original bearers' occupation as plumbers. This shield is widely used today as the family crest and can often be seen in Germany on a Kienzel family member’s coat or hat.
The Kienzel name has been in existence for centuries and is an important part of German history. It is still commonly found in Germany today and is a unique and distinctive surname that continues to be passed down from one generation to the next.
Variations of the surname Kienzel
The surname Kienzel has various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Common variants of the name include Kienzle, Kienzler, Kienzl, Kienzler, Kienz, Kiensle, Kiensley, Kiensler, Künzle, Künzler, Künzl, Künzl, Künzel, Kunzler, Kunzle, Kunzel, Kunz, Künzel, and many others.
The origin of the Kienzel surname is most likely German in origin, derived from the personal name Konrad. The name itself is derived from a combination of two German words—kon meaning "brave" or "bold" and rad meaning “counsel” or “advice”. The Germanic tribes, who invaded parts of Europe in the 4th and 5th centuries, gave their sons names with these two elements, popularizing the name throughout that area.
The Kienzel spelling of the surname likely originated in Bavaria, where the aristocracy often added the “el” suffix to family surnames in order to signify that their family was of noble descent.
The surname is spread throughout Europe and the United States, especially in regions with German, Swiss, and Austrian immigrant populations.
In the United States, the Kienzel surname is most commonly seen in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and New York. The spelling of the name is also common in Canada, Australia, and South Africa.
The Kienzel surname is derived from the German personal name Konrad and has several variants and spellings. The origin of the name is most likely German, from Bavarian nobles who adopted the “el” suffix to signify noble descent. Today, the surname is found throughout Europe and the United States, and in Canada, Australia, and South Africa.
Famous people with the name Kienzel
- Jochen Kienzel, German Jazz Saxophonist
- Maxwell Kienzel, American Soccer Player
- Paul Kienzel, German Actor
- Katrin Kienzel, German Chef and Television Host
- Mark Kienzel, Actor and TV Producer
- René Kienzel, German Writer and Film Scholar
- Richard Kienzel, German TV Producer
- Robert Kienzel, German Painter
- Ernst Kienzel, German Physician, Academic and Historian
- Michael Kienzel, German Actor