Surname Koenigs - Meaning and Origin
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Koenigs: What does the surname Koenigs mean?
Koenigs (or Königs) is a German surname that means "king" or "sovereign," and is equivalent to the English name Royal. The term is derived from the word for "king" in Old High German, and is made up of two elements: "koenig" (meaning "king") and "heilag" (meaning "holy"). Historically, the name was given to those who were royalty or otherwise obtained the rank of king, either through military service or administrative service.
In more recent times, the name Koenigs/Königs has become less a signifier of royalty and more of a common German surname. Some families of the name are of noble descent, and the name can still signify high social standing. However, it is now common for the name Koenigs/Königs to be assumed by individuals of all social classes.
The Koenigs/Königs surname is most found in Germany, but it is seen in other countries with Germanic speaking populations. It is particularly common in Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and in the United States, where it is the 5,946th most common surname on the Social Security Administration list.
Order DNA origin analysisKoenigs: Where does the name Koenigs come from?
The last name Koenigs is mainly common in Germany today, particularly in the south-western corner of the country where it ranks as the 37th most used surname. It is also common in some parts of the Netherlands and Belgium, and more recent emigrants to these countries have also taken the name with them and hence its prevalence in those countries.
The name is even seen in some parts of the US and Canada, where German immigrants have settled. This is due to the many waves of German emigration from the 19th century on, some from political and religious unrest, and others as economic refugees and more recently skilled refugees seeking a better quality of life in North America. The states with the highest percentage of German immigrants in America are Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Missouri, while the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta have the highest percentage in Canada.
The name is likely derived from the high Medieval title given to certain German nobles, the Konig, or King. It may also be a patronymic surname, indicating direct ancestry from a person with the first name Koh. it is also sometimes seen written as Coenen, a Dutch variant.
No matter where the name is seen today, its German origin is clear. Those bearing the name Koenigs are likely descended from Germanic stock, and proud of their heritage.
Variations of the surname Koenigs
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin as Koenigs are:
Köngs- Koengs- Königs- Koenig- König- Köning- Köninger- Könnig- Könnicke- Königk- Königke- Königsberg- Königshofen- Könitzer- Königshöfer- Königsman- Königslöwe- Königsfels- Königshufen- Königsdorfer- Königshausen- Königsthal- Königstädt- Königsdorff- Königsmann- Königsberger- Königstein- Königsmüller-
Koenigs is derived from the German word "könig" meaning king. This was a hereditary title and thus often used by nobles during the Middle Ages. This is why the surname is often found in various spellings alluding to royalty and power. The variants we listed typically refer to the same family line, and some also contain the addition of a placename to signify a family's origin.
Koenigs is one of the oldest recorded surnames in German-speaking regions, and its continued usage and popularity indicates the respect and admiration for the nobility in the Middle Ages. The many variants and spellings, therefore, are all connected to the same royal root which pays homage to the once-powerful rulers of Europe.
Famous people with the name Koenigs
- Astrid Koenigs: A German business executive and the Founder and CEO of Women Power Program.
- Catherine Koenigs: a peace broker and international mediator.
- Daniel Koenigs: a renowned contemporary artist.
- Florian Koenigs: a German interior designer and set designer.
- Leonard Koenigs: a 20th-century geometrician.
- Martin Koenigs: an American labor leader and social activist.
- Mike Koenigs: an American digital marketer, entrepreneur, and best-selling author.
- Ottomar Koenig: a German visual and sound artist.
- Reinhold Koenig: a German repertoire librarian.
- Robert Koenigs: a 19th century American actor.
- Stephen Koenigs: a performance artist and circus entertainer.
- Dietrich-Eberhard von Koenigsmark: a German aquarium enthusiast and later an anti-Nazi political activist.
- Paul Koenig: a singer, songwriter, and contemporary Christian music artist.
- Victor Koenig: a French archeologist specializing in the study of ancient civilizations.
- William Koenigs: a World War II veteran and electrician.
- Chris Koenigsberg: an American voice-over artist and musician.
- Ralf Koenigs: a renowned German engineer and inventor.
- Werner Koenigs: a German historian and expert in the history of the Roman Empire.