Surname Sonnekalb - Meaning and Origin
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Sonnekalb: What does the surname Sonnekalb mean?
The surname Sonnekalb is of German origin and is derived from the words “sonne” meaning “sun” and “kalb” meaning “calf”, so the combined meaning of the word is “sun calf”. The origin of the name is believed to be related to the traditional fairs of South Germany which held calf auctions in the summer sun as a part of the festivities.
The Sonnekalb family is one of the oldest known families to have used this name in German history. The earliest known record of the name dates back to the 15th century. It is believed that the family originally lived in Bavaria, and it is also known that the family has been present in many countries in Europe – in particular Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Many of the family members have migrated to other parts of the world, such as the United States and Canada, in the search for a better life.
The Sonnekalb name is a fairly uncommon one, but those who share it have an interesting history and connection to their ancestors. The name is significant to them as it speaks to their roots and to the past, of fairs in sunny Bavaria where the family’s story is believed to have begun.
Order DNA origin analysisSonnekalb: Where does the name Sonnekalb come from?
The last name Sonnekalb is most commonly found in Germany. According to a census taken in 2020, there are around 1,040 people bearing the name living in the country.
The main surnames are concentrated near southeastern Germany, specifically the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. The name is most popular in the North Bavaria region as it is thought to have originated there. The name is also found more frequently between the Upper Rhine and Bavarian Swabia.
When looking further afield, the name has roots in Switzerland and Austria, although the name is not found in large numbers in these countries anymore. It is thought that the family roots originated in places in the Rhineland like Hanover, Bavaria, Alsace, and Switzerland.
It is believed that the Sonnekalb surname dates back to the 13th century, when it was used as “Sonnekalbharingn”. It is derived from two German words, ‘Sonnenkalb’, which means ‘sun calf’, and ‘haringn’, which means ‘hedges’ or ‘fences’. Although its exact origin is unknown, the most likely explanation for its use was that it described a person with “sun-kissed hair”, or “blond hair”, hence the Sonne- part of the name.
Today, the Sonnekalb family is generally seen as an emblem of German culture. Its members are spread throughout Germany, as well as in other countries such as Australia, Canada, and the United States. While a majority of the family are no longer found in the places that their ancestry belongs, its members continue to be strong in their beliefs and connected to their backgrounds.
Variations of the surname Sonnekalb
The surname Sonnekalb belongs to the German origin and has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The main variants are Sonnekelb, Sonnekälb, Sunnekalb, and Sonnekalb. The alternate spellings are Sonnkalb, Sonnekalp, Sonnekalbe, Sunnekelb, Sonnekälbe, and Sunnekalb.
The different surnames of the same origin are Sonnenberg, Sonnenfeld, Sonnerthaler, Sonneberger, Sunnecke, Sonnekes, Sonnek, Sunnecker, Sonnebuchner, and Sonnenblaum.
The spelling Sonnekälb is derived from a combination of two words; 'Sonne' meaning 'sun' and 'Kalb' meaning 'calf' and is used to describe someone who has a warm cheerful nature, symbolized by the sun and the young calf. The other variant, Sonnekelb, has the same meaning as the one described above, however, the spelling carries slight modifications of the initial word.
The alternate spellings of Sunnekalb and Sonnekalp are derived from a combination of the words 'sonne' meaning 'sun' and 'kalb/kalp' which means 'calf' and 'courage' as it suggests someone who is courageous and cheerful like a sunny day.
The surname Sunnecker is derived from the combination of two words 'sonne' and 'ecke' meaning 'corner/edge'. This surname is thought to describe someone who lives at the edge of the settlement or on the outskirts especially one that was on the top of a hill, where the sun can be seen from.
The Sonnebuchner surname is derived from the combination of the words 'sonne' meaning 'sun' and 'buchner' meaning 'bookseller, notary or owner of a public house'. This surname is thought to describe someone who possess skills in dealing with the public, the law or in running a business.
Finally, the last surname of the same origin is Sonnenblaum, which is derived from the combination of two words 'sonne' meaning 'sun' and 'blaum' meaning 'flower', and is thought to describe someone who has a bright and cheerful disposition symbolized by the sun and a flower.
Famous people with the name Sonnekalb
- William Sonnekalb: American basketball coach who coached college programs at the University of Rhode Island and Central Connecticut State University.
- Robert Sonnekalb: American composer, active primarily in the 1920s and 1930s who composed for shows like The Ziegfeld Follies.
- William Sonnekalb Jr.: Producer for Walt Disney Animation Studios, known for working on projects like The Lion King and Aladdin.
- Brian Sonnekalb: American actor, director, producer, writer, known for films like The 6th Day and The Element of Fire.
- Michael Sonnekalb: American television writer, known for shows like NewsRadio and The Simpsons.
- Anne Sonnekalb: American modern dancer, choreographer, and educator in the 1960s and 1970s.
- Aaron Sonnekalb: American writer, author of books like Marx, Freud, and the Imaginary Jew: Redrawing the Circle of Modernity.
- Louis Sonnekalb: American aviator in World War I, and founder of the Aeronautical Engineering Company.
- Richard Sonnekalb: Nazi German SS officer, stationed in France in World War II.
- William C Sonnekalb: German physicist who worked on the Manhattan Project to create the atomic bomb.