Surname Kiener - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Exploring Surname and Heritage: A Captivating Journey with iGENEA DNA Test
Embarking on a journey to explore ancestry with iGENEA DNA Test and discovering fascinating origins linked to a shared surname ‘Kiener’. Revealing detailed results and connection with a wide family network.
O. Kiener
read moreKiener: What does the surname Kiener mean?
Kiener (or Keiner) is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word keener, meaning “brave one” or “bold one.” The name likely originates from Dresden, Germany and, historically, the Kiener family has been associated with various trades such as printing, timber handling, and barrel making. In some cases, the Keiner surname is listed as Carner, possibly indicative of a later Germanization of names.
The surname also appears in Switzerland, Belgium, and the United States where it was carried by early German immigrants. American variants include, but are not limited to, Keane, Kinyon, and Kenner. Subsequently, many variations of the Kiener spelling have appeared including Kienes, Kienel, Kienert, Kienle, and Keinzel.
Kiener is a fairly uncommon last name and is listed on some records as the occupation of the bearer, such as a soldier or servant, in earlier periods of German history. Today, the name is not associated with any particular profession but is often connected with those from Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, or those of German descent in the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisKiener: Where does the name Kiener come from?
The last name Kiener is a German surname most commonly found in Germany and Austria today. In Germany, it is estimated that there are over 1,400 people currently living with the Kiener surname, mostly in the Baden-Wurttemberg region. There are also reported occurrences in the Rheinland-Palatinate, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia regions.
In Austria, the surname Kiener is thought to be more common than in Germany, with approximately 5,000 people living there with the name Kiener. It is concentrated primarily in the states of Vorarlberg, Lower Austria and Upper Austria. There are also small occurrences in the states of Styria and Vienna.
The name Kiener was likely first used in Germany or Austria in the early Middle Ages. The name likely originated from a nickname, referring to a crafty or clever person. It is related to the German word keien, which means to joke around or play tricks. Other related names in Germany include Kienholz, Kiene, Kienzle, Kienemann, and Kienle.
Other countries with citizens using the name include Switzerland and the United States, where many German immigrants brought the Last name Kiener with them when they moved to this new land. Today, the name Kiener is spread across many different countries, but it remains most common in Germany and Austria.
Variations of the surname Kiener
The surname Kiener (or Kienert) is an ancient German-language surname that dates back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old High German word "kein" or "keiner", which means "little one", and was a popular medieval given name. The surname Kiener is most common in Germany and Switzerland, but can also be found in the Netherlands, France, and other parts of Europe.
Variants or alternate spellings of the surname Kiener include Kieninger, Kyener, Kiner, Keener, Kienor, Keinert, Kienertz, and Kienetz.
Surname variants of Kiener exist that have linguistic origins other than German. The name Kener in Italian is derived from the name "Cenne", which was the early spelling of the Italian word "Cenere" meaning “ashes”. The English spelling of the surname Keener is derived from the Welsh phrase “caenor”, meaning “beloved”.
The surname Kyener in Hungary may originate from the Hungarian word “kény”, meaning “bold”, while Kienor in Finland is derived from the Finnish word "kielo", meaning “long journey”. The surname Kienertz in Luxembourg may stem from the German words “Kein” and “Ort”, denoting a place where “little one” had lived.
Despite the many likely etymological origins of the surname Kiener, records of its use date as far back as the 14th century. Today, there are numerous individuals and families bearing the Kiener surname in multiple countries around the world.
Famous people with the name Kiener
- Martina Kiener: Martina Kiener is a Swiss professional tennis player and coach.
- Viveca Kiener: Viveca Kiener is a Swiss freestyle swimmer and Olympic medalist.
- Hansjörg Kiener: Hansjörg Kiener is a Swiss handball player who currently plays for the German national team.
- Urs Kiener: Urs Kiener is a Swiss rower who competed in the 1968 Summer Olympics.
- Jonas Kiener: Jonas Kiener is a Swiss professional football player who currently plays as a winger for Grasshopper Club Zürich.
- Michael Kiener: Michael Kiener is a Swiss skier and entrepreneur, and the founder of the outerwear brand KJUS.
- Paul Kiener: Paul Kiener was a Swiss painter, draughtsman, lithographer and teacher who was active in Munich and Zurich.
- Christian Kiener: Christian Kiener is a Swiss professional ice hockey player who currently plays for EV Zug.
- Adrien Kiener: Adrien Kiener is a Swiss professional cyclist who currently rides for the Pro Continental team Bingoal–WB.
- Luc Kiener: Luc Kiener is a Swiss bobsledder who has competed since 2006.