Surname Kunen - Meaning and Origin
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Kunen: What does the surname Kunen mean?
The last name Kunen is a German surname believed to have originated in the district of East Prussia. The name Kunen is derived from the Middle Low German words “kuune” and “kune”, which refer to a small type of hound. It is also speculated that the name may have a connection to a personal name such as Konrad or Koné.
Kunen is a fairly common surname in Germany, having become more widespread since the 1600s when families began to migrate from the region of East Prussia into other parts of Europe. Today, the last name Kunen can be found in many parts of Germany, as well as the United States, Canada and Australia.
In terms of its meaning, the name Kunen is associated with bravery and loyalty, stemming from its origin as a term for a breed of hound. A loyal and fiercely devoted breed, these hounds acted as guards and hunting dogs for their families, and were known to be loyal and protective of their owners. It is this association that gives the name Kunen a sense of bravery and loyalty, two positive qualities that one may strive for.
Order DNA origin analysisKunen: Where does the name Kunen come from?
The Kunen surname is most common today in northern Germany, particularly in regions of Schleswig-Holstein. It is however also found across other parts of Germany, including Panke, Hesse, Rheinland-Pfalz, and Lower Saxony. Beyond Germany, Kunen can also be found in parts of The Netherlands, Austria, and Switzerland. Evidence of the widespread use of this surname exists in church records dating as far back as the 14th century.
The name Kunen can be traced to the Low German spelling of the phrase meaning “son of Kuno”. This implies that the family came from a line of individuals who held the name of Kuno. As Kuno is a shortened form of many German names, including Kunibert, Kunigunde, and Kunrad, it is difficult to trace the exact origin of the Kunen surname.
The Kunen family can be traced to the historical region of Oldenburg, which is now part of the greater region of Schleswig-Holstein. This region was a powerful trading center in the Middle Ages and was ruled by a succession of dukes from the family of Oldenburg. During this period, the Kunen surname became popular among the middle classes.
The Kunen family today continues to be found across the region in Northern Germany as well as surrounding countries. This is a testament to the longevity and strength of the family over the centuries.
Variations of the surname Kunen
Kunen is a German and Dutch surname of Germanic origin, formed by the Old German KAUNA, meaning "brave".
Variations and spellings of Kunen include Kunni, Kunmi, Kuni, Kunay, Kunne, Kunnen, Kunneen, and Koonen.
Kunni is a less common variant of Kunen, derived from the Old German KUONI, a combination of kuonu and ni, which encompasses the meanings of boldness and dedication to a cause.
Kunmi is a derivative of the word keinmi, which is derived from the Old High German KAUNAMI, and means courageous and determined.
Kuni is a combination of the Old German KUNI, meaning “bold” and “brave”, and the Old Norse KUNI, meaning “fighting” or “battle”.
Kunay is a variant of Kunen, derived from the Old High German KUONAI, meaning “stubborn” or “determined”.
Kunne is a combination of the Old German KUONNE and the Middle Dutch KUYNNE, meaning “loyal” and “true”.
Kunnen is a combination of the Old German KUONEN and the Middle Dutch KUYNNEN, meaning “resolute” and “loving”.
Kunneen is a combination of the Old German KUONENE, meaning “brave” and “valiant”, and the Middle Dutch KUYNNENE, meaning “diligent” and “persistent”.
Koonen is a combination of the Old German KUONEN and the Middle Dutch KOONEN, meaning “courageous” and “dauntless”.
Famous people with the name Kunen
- Stan Kunen: American mathematician who received his Ph.D. in 1969 from UCLA and was formerly a professor of mathematics at UC Boulder and Harvard University.
- Jonathan Kunen: American writer, director, and producer. He is best known for his work on the film All I Wish and the television series The Americans.
- Steven Kunen: American attorney and senior business advisor who served as Chief Counsel to the Consumer Financial Protection Board (CFPB) and served as a member of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Investor Advisory Committee.
- Lisa Kunen: American actress, best known for her roles in the television shows Madam Secretary, Numb3rs and The Mindy Project.
- Edward Kunen: American professor of political science at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is known for his books on international politics, including The Politics of Religious Freedom and Israei-Palestinan: U.S. Interests and Imperatives.
- Steven Kunen: American fertility doctor and reproductive endocrinologist, known for his pioneering work in in-vitro fertilization. He is the founder of the Center for Fertility & IVF and is the Medical Director of the American Fertility Association.
- David J. Kunen: American attorney and managing partner of the firm Kunen & Shelomovski in Miami, Florida.
- James Kunen: Canadian musician, composer, and recording artist. He is known for his work in film, television and musical theatre.
- Noam Kunen: Israeli rapper, singer and actor who has released two albums, "Coming of Age" and "Herzlia".
- H. D. Kunen: American attorney and former Justice of the California Supreme Court, appointed by then-Governor Jerry Brown.