Surname Kirstner - Meaning and Origin
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Kirstner: What does the surname Kirstner mean?
The last name Kirstner is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "Kunkest," meaning "king's court" or "courtier," and it likely has been in use as a last name since the fifteenth century.
The Kirstner surname was used by those who held courtly positions within the royal families in Germany, and the name represented the power and privilege of that noble family. As of 2015, there are approximately 5,000 individuals with the Kirstner surname worldwide, concentrated in Germany, Austria, and the United States.
The spelling of the Kirstner surname has undergone minor changes throughout history. For instance, some records from the 16th century present the name as "Künster" or "Künstler," while in the 19th century, it appeared more commonly as "Kienser."
The Kirstner family was known for their loyalty to the ruling family, often taking on the role of a courtier. Courtiers were noblemen who served as advisors, messengers, or ambassadors to the monarch and provided entertainment at the royal court. Because of their close proximity to the royal family, members of the Kirstner family were able to influence politics and court decisions.
The Kirstner family was also involved in the military, with some family members regularly serving as commanders, lieutenants, and captains in various German armies. Additionally, they were well-known for their scientific and technological contributions, developing instruments, tools, and weapons for military use.
The strong sense of obligation, duty, and loyalty expressed by generations of the Kirstner family are lasting legacies of this impressive surname.
Order DNA origin analysisKirstner: Where does the name Kirstner come from?
Kirstner is an uncommon surname of German origin. It is currently most prevalent in Germany with about 12,700 bearers of the name living there as of 2019, according to publicly available data. Within Germany, its highest concentrations are found in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and North Rhine-Westphalia. Beyond Germany, smaller numbers of people bearing the surname Kirstner can be found in other countries throughout Europe, particularly in Austria, Switzerland, and Czech Republic.
Kirstner is more rarely found in other parts of the world. In the United States, the Census Bureau estimates that there are fewer than 1000 people using this last name. American bearers of the Kirstner surname can be found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Georgia, and California.
In Canada, the 2016 census found just over 500 people using the Kirstner surname. This number was concentrated in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. New Zealand's 2013 census counted just ten people with the surname and there is no known record of the surname occurring in Australia.
Given its German origin, Kirstner remains primarily a continental European surname. Though its numbers are small around the world, its presence is still noteworthy in Germany, other parts of Europe, Canada, the United States, and a few far-flung countries.
Variations of the surname Kirstner
Kirstner is a surname of German origin, and it is quite common. It is phonetically spelled as "KIR-ST-NER", and there are also several possible variants and alternative spellings related to it.
The most common of these variants is "Kirstner", which is the standard German spelling. This variant is phonetically identical to the original, but it is often seen with an umlaut (Kïrstner). Other spelling variations include "Kirstnaer", "Kirchner", and "Kleinstern".
In addition, there are a number of surnames derived from the same root as "Kirstner". These include "Kiester", "Kister", "Kiesinger", and "Kistler". Other less common German surnames related to "Kirstner" are "Kippner" and "Köstner".
Kirstner is also an integral part of many other German and European surnames, such as "Körstner" and "Köster". Additionally, there are many other surnames derived from the same root, such as "Kirschner", "Krister", "Kroachner", "Krausser", and "Kortser".
Overall, Kirstner is a very common German surname, and there are a large number of variants, spellings, and related surnames associated with it.
Famous people with the name Kirstner
- Rollin Kirstner: a professional skier from the United States.
- Robert Kirstner: a physician and immunologist who was a leader in the field of allergy research.
- Rhonda Kirstner: an American author, illustrator, and speaker on autism.
- Robby Kirstner: an American professional snowboarder who competed at the World Snowboarding Championships.
- Ryan Kirstner: a Canadian professional lacrosse player, currently playing for the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League.
- Charles Kirstner: an American film and television actor.
- Mark Kirstner: a former professional football defensive tackle who played for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Denver Broncos.
- Thomas Kirstner: a former professional basketball player, playing for the American Basketball Association.
- Sylvia Kirstner: an Austrian writer and artist.
- Werner Kirstner: a German scientist and professor at the Institute of Chemistry and Mathematics of the University of Freiburg.