Surname Kienlein - Meaning and Origin
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Kienlein: What does the surname Kienlein mean?
The last name Kienlein is of German origin. It is derived from the German word "Kien," meaning pine, and the word "lein," meaning small. The name roughly translates to "small pine tree."
Kienlein is believed to come from the Middle High German word kienlin, which referred to someone living in a region where there were plenty of pine trees. It may have been given to an individual who lived near such a region or was employed in a job that involved working with pines, such as a lumberjack.
Due to the name’s Germanic origin, Kienlein is most commonly found in countries with German-speaking populations, such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the United States.
Kienlein is also a fairly common last name in the United States. Records indicate that Kienlein families immigrated to the States in the mid- to late-1800s, primarily through the port of Baltimore, Maryland. Many of the earlier settlers were from the Baden region of Germany.
In the States, the name Kienlein commonly appears with various spelling variations, including Kienlen, Kienly, Kienlin, Kienling and Kienlins. Due to the popularity of this name in countries with German speaking populations, it’s likely that the spelling variations are more of a regional difference than an actual rendering of the name.
Today, the last name Kienlein continues to be a popular surname among Germanic populations. It’s a reminder of the Germanic origins behind its bearer, and the value of lovingly preserving one’s family ties and heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisKienlein: Where does the name Kienlein come from?
The last name Kienlein is most commonly found in Germany today, although it may also be present in other countries in Europe. The name is concentrated mostly in Bavaria, although it may be found in smaller numbers in other regions.
In the US, the surname Kienlein is most commonly found in North Dakota, where 3.8 out of every 100,000 residents have the name. Other states with significant populations include Wisconsin, Minnesota, California, and New York.
Kienlein is believed to have originated as an occupational surname, derived from the Middle High German words “künec” or “kinnec”, meaning “knight”. Over time, it grew to be a popular German last name.
In Germany today, the surname Kienlein is still quite common. It is estimated that 1 in every 402 individuals living in Germany bears this name. There are some other variations of the Kienlein name, such as Kienle, Kienlin, Kienleins, and Kienlinn, that may also be encountered.
Given its history and current presence in Germany, it is likely that the surname Kienlein will continue to be a familiar name in the years to come.
Variations of the surname Kienlein
Kienlein is a German surname with many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Kienlein is derived from the Middle High German words kuoni, or kuonlein, meaning “small, or humble, family”. Over time, the surname has been altered in various ways, leading to a large number of variations.
Common variants of Kienlein include Kienle, Koenlein, Koinlein, Keinlein, Keinle, Keunlein, Konlein, Cyonlein, Koenle, Koynlein and Kühnlein. Some Italian-language variants include Cionlini, Coinioni and Cionini.
The modern surname Kienlein can also take the forms Kienling, Kienlin, Keanling, Kyenling, Kienlien, Keanel, Keanell and Kiemelin.
In addition, many surnames can be variations of the original Kienlein. These include Kienzle, Kuntzle, Kunzle, Kienzlie, Kunzli, Kinateder, Kennedter and Kennoder.
Another variant form of the name is the Jewish surname Chaimlin, which is derived from the Hebrew name Chaim and the German suffix -lin, meaning “from the family of”.
All in all, Kienlein is a German surname that has many different variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Kienlein
- Ralph Kienlein: American author of multiple books about civil and social engineering, as well as a professor specializing in architecture.
- August Kienlein: German Catholic civil servant and theologian, best known for his writings on the history of the Catholic Church in Germany.
- Diethelm Kienlein: Former racing driver and team owner, best known for his partnership with Vittorio Brambilla for the 1976 Formula One season.
- Christian Kienlein: German professional basketball player, who played for multiple teams in Europe, including the German Basketball Bundesliga.
- Georg Kienlein: German Olympic fencer who competed in the early 20th century.
- Joe Kienlein: Former American football player for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers and the NFL's Chicago Bears.
- Frank Kienlein: American businessman and CEO of IntermountainHealthcare, a Utah-based healthcare network.
- Michael Kienlein: American judoka, who won a bronze medal at the 2000 World Judo Championships.
- William Kienlein: Former police chief of the city of Cupertino, California, and later the police chief of San Diego, California.
- Adam Kienlein: American homebuilder, developer and philanthropist, founder of the Kienlein Blood Pioneers, an organization aiming to help relocate and provide resettlement service to refugees living in war-torn countries.