Surname Kiehncke - Meaning and Origin
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Kiehncke: What does the surname Kiehncke mean?
The last name Kiehncke is a German surname originating from the Low German region of Germany. The word Kiehn is of Scandinavian origin and means “king” or “chieftain.” Kiehncke is derived from the Germanic word kein (king) and originally designated a leader of a village or small community. The name was widespread in Northern Germany, where it remains popular today.
The Kiehncke surname is found in records from the 14th century in Germany and its variants are common. The records include those from various German-speaking regions, such as Bohemia, Mecklenburg, East and West Prussia, and Silesia.
The Kiehncke surname is not common in the United States, although their descendants can be found throughout the country. It is most common in Pennsylvania and Ohio, but can also be found in Texas, New York, Nebraska and New Mexico.
Most Kiehncke family members trace back to low-status farmers, but some branches of the clan became more prominent during Germany's industrialization period of the mid-19th century. The name can also be seen among ship builders, merchants, and brewers.
Most Kiehncke families have strong ties to their ancestral homeland of Germany, and many still practice traditional customs and beliefs. German immigrants took with them a great sense of pride in their culture, so much so that even today, the descendants of the Kiehncke family keep many traditions that their ancestors brought with them.
Order DNA origin analysisKiehncke: Where does the name Kiehncke come from?
The last name Kiehncke is mainly found in Germany today. It is believed to have originated in Westphalia, a region in north-western Germany. It is an uncommon name, since records show that less than 100 people in the state are currently named Kiehncke.
In fact, Kiehncke is even less common outside of Germany. For example, in the United States the name is not very well-known, and since it is not popular in America, much information is hard to come by. Research did, however, turn up a few individuals with German roots, who chose the name Kiehncke.
There is also evidence that certain branches of the Kiehncke family have migrated to other countries over the course of history, but it remains the primary residence of this clan in Germany. Outside of Germany, the name is documented in France, Austria, England, South Africa, and Poland, with immigrants carrying the Kiehncke name as far as Australia.
In conclusion, the last name Kiehncke is most common in Germany today, although there are still families of Kiehncke around the world. Its relative obscurity outside of Germany means that its history is not as well-known, but since it is still present in several countries, the name is likely to stay in existence for many years to come.
Variations of the surname Kiehncke
The surname Kiehncke is a variant of the surname Kiencke and is derived from a Germanic personal name. It is derived from Middle High German kinke, meaning “kinsman”, and is believed to have originally been a term of endearment.
Variants of the surname Kiehncke include Kiencke, Kienke, Keinke, Kienkötter, Kienecke, Kyencke, Kieneker, Kienker, Kienek, Kiencka, Kunke, and Künke.
The earliest records of the surname date back to the late 13th century, when the family was noted as owners of a fort located in present-day Silesia, in eastern Germany. Over the ensuing centuries, the Kiehnckes have branched out and can now be found throughout Germany and in other countries, including the United States, Canada, and other parts of Europe.
Possible spellings of the surname include Kienke, Keincke, Küncke, Kiencer, Kienkötter, Kiencza, Kyenke, Kienecke, Kunke, and Kyencke.
The variant surnames of today’s Kiehncke surname are primarily related to the Latinized spellings of the name during the times when German was first beginning to be written. This is why there are several variations of the name, often separated by regional borders.
The name has also changed over time as people have moved to different countries and assimilated different cultures. The German Kiencke has served as a basis for surnames such as Kiencker, Kienke, Kieners, Kienzle, Kienczer, and Kinzer, all of which carry similar meanings.
Famous people with the name Kiehncke
- John Kiehncke: German football forward for Union Berlin, who also has the distinction of holding the highest transfer fee in the club's history.
- Kai-Uwe Kiehncke: German mathematician and professor at the Technical University of Berlin.
- Alexandra Kiehncke: German actress, best known for her film roles in 'Vaya con Dios' and 'Tatort.'
- Frank Kiehncke: German TV presenter, best known for his work on the German version of 'Big Brother.'
- Thomas Kiehncke: German film composer and pianist, who composed the score for a number of films including 'The Baader Meinhof Complex.'
- Nora Kiehncke: German pianist and composer, best known for her work on opera performances.
- Hans-Werner Kiehncke: German radio presenter, most famous for being the host of the show 'Rockpalast.'
- Jan Kiehncke: German animator, best known for his Academy-Award-nominated short film 'White Rabbit.'
- Myriam Kiehncke: German actress, whose credits include 'Fishing Without Nets' and 'Winter Journey.' 10.Julian Kiehncke: German film director, best known for his short film 'Red.'