Surname Kerkeling - Meaning and Origin
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Kerkeling: What does the surname Kerkeling mean?
The last name Kerkeling is of Germanic origin and is derived from the old Germanic language, implying that it has roots in Germany. It can have a few alternate variations depending on the person's area or country of origin, such as Kerchling, Kerking, Kirking, and Kercling.
The meaning of the name can vary depending on region, but is mostly associated with a settlement near a church or a chapel, relating to the old Germanic word "kerke," meaning church. It can also mean small castle or fortress.
The surname Kerkeling is common in some areas of Germany, Netherlands, and parts of Scandinavia. It could also be found among some German immigrants who relocated to different areas of the United States over the years, such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin and others.
The surname Kerkeling is associated with a deep sense of loyalty, integrity, and strength. It implies that the person bearing the name has these qualities in spades and will likely have a very sharp and determinate demeanour. People born with this surname are typically hard workers and driven individuals, able to rise above any obstacle and march towards their goals.
Order DNA origin analysisKerkeling: Where does the name Kerkeling come from?
The last name Kerkeling is most commonly associated with Germany. There are thousands of listings of this surname in German phone books, due to the prevalence of this name in the country. In fact, there are still descendants of the original Kerkelings living in Germany today. A large number of individuals with this last name also reside in the Netherlands, Canada, and the United States.
In Germany, the most popular region to find Kerkelings today is in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. This is likely due to the fact that this state has had significant immigration from other parts of Germany throughout centuries. There are also individuals with this last name living in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.
In the US, the states that have the highest concentration of Kerkeling residents are Minnesota, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Texas. These states are believed to be favored locations for the descendants of the first Kerkelings to immigrate to due to their close proximity to other German-speaking areas.
It is interesting to note that the name Kerkeling has survived the centuries and is still a reasonably well-known and well-known last name in many parts of the world. Despite the hundreds of years that have passed since the first recorded instance of the family's name, many people across the globe still proudly claim the legacy of the Kerkelings.
Variations of the surname Kerkeling
Kerkeling is a Germanic surname and is most commonly found in the Low German speaking areas of northern Germany. The primary variants are Karkeling and Kerkelinck. The surname may also be found spelled as Karkling, Kerckling, Kercklein, Kerkling, Kerklingk, Kerklincks, Kerklinge, Kerklingk, and Kerklinck.
The spelling variations of the surname are likely due to a lack of standardization of spelling when the surname was first used. People in the Middle Ages and early modern period were illiterate and as such their names were spelled differently depending on who was writing the name down. Oral pronunciations of the name may have also led to some differences in its spelling.
The surname Kerkeling is also found in some Dutch speaking areas of the Low Countries as Berkelings, Berkeling, and Berkelincks. This indicates that the surname may have a Dutch origin, though the exact origins of the name remain unknown. It may have been used to describe a person from a specific location, perhaps near a church (from the German Kirche for church).
In addition, some sources list a surname Kerkelinge as being used in parts of eastern Germany. This may be another spelling variation of the same name, but other than the similarity in spelling it is not clear how this surname is related to the one found in the Low German speaking areas.
Famous people with the name Kerkeling
- Hape Kerkeling: German comedian, author, voice actor, musical performer, entertainer, and television presenter.
- Friederike Kerkeling: German journalist, co-founder and editor-in-chief of the daily online newspaper "Der Tagesspiegel".
- Robert Kerkeling: German music publisher, director, professor, and composer.
- Thomas Kerkeling: German documentary filmmaker, director and cinematographer.
- Elke Kerkeling: German television presenter, author and journalist.
- Bernd Kerkeling: German actor and theatre director.
- Maximilian Kerkeling: German actor, presenter and voice actor.
- Florian Kerkeling: German actor, musician and theatre director.
- Karl-Heinz Kerkeling: German former football player.
- Gabriele Kerkeling: German actress, director, and singer.