Surname Kiehnast - Meaning and Origin

Kiehnast: What does the surname Kiehnast mean?

The last name Kiehnast is a German surname originating in the Bavaria region of Germany. It can have several variations in spelling such as Kienast, Kienhast, and Kienhöst. The name is derived from “kiener” meaning “keen” or “sharp,” and “Hast” or “lock.” This surname most likely has roots in locksmithing.

The Kiehnast family likely trace their ancestry back to Bavaria in the early 1600s, and since then family members have spread out over Europe and the United States. The first appearance of the name Kiehnast in the United States was in 1744. The Kiehnast family can be found in many parts of the United States today, from New York to Texas to California.

The Kiehnast surname has remained relatively uncommon, so those with this last name probably have paternal ancestors that are closely linked. This means that those with the last name Kiehnast likely have distant cousins living in Germany, or even in the United States. Tracking down relations may be possible through DNA testing, records from churches or the census, and other historical records.

Family stories and traditions can also provide insight into the Kiehnast family history. Family history and heritage is important, and for those with the last name Kiehnast it is a link to a time long gone.

Kiehnast: Where does the name Kiehnast come from?

The last name Kiehnast is most commonly found in Germany, as well as other German-speaking countries. Due to the country’s extensive history of emigration, it is also often found in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other European countries.

In Germany, the last name is most commonly found in northern parts of the country, including the states of Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg. It is also prevalent in pockets of Bavaria and Hesse.

The name Kiehnast is believed to be of German origin, and is likely a patronymic surname derived from the given name Kien, a short form of Johannes or Hans. Alternately, it may be derived from the Middle High German word kienast, meaning 'stout or strong.'

The Kiehnast family history can be traced back to medieval Germany, when the Kiehnast surname first began to appear in records, including court documents and tax records. Over the centuries, the number of people with this surname has steadily increased, and as of 2021, it is estimated that approximately 33,000 people in the world bear this name.

Variations of the surname Kiehnast

The surname Kiehnast has quite a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. One of the primary variants is the spelling of the surname as Kienast, which is its original German spelling. The other variants of the surname include Kehnast, Kihnast, Keyhnast, Kaehnast, Kihenast, Kienhast, Kienast, Kiehnstedt, Kienstedt, Kienast, and Kyhnast.

Although this surname originated in Germany, many of its variants can also be found in France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. In the United States, the surname can be found across the country including in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Indiana, Oregon, Minnesota, and California. Its variants can also be found in other countries like Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

In some instances, the surname Kiehnast is also spelled as Kienast, Kienhast, Kienstedt, Kiening, Kienast, Kienert, Kienzle, Kiehnstedt, Kienhöfer, Kienle, Kienlis, and Kienegger. It is also used as the surname of places like Kiehnasten, Kienstadt, Kielasten, Klühnast, and Klienast. In addition, several other surnames share a similar origin including Kienzle, Kienast, Kiensley, Kehnast, and Kinnast.

Overall, the surname Kiehnast has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It is a name with a very interesting and convoluted history that has spread across many parts of the world.

Famous people with the name Kiehnast

• Benny Kiehnast: World Chess Champion in 1955.
• Günter Kiehnast: Former German international football player.
• Paul Kiehnast: German football coach and the current manager of Rot Weiss Ahlen.
• Henry Kiehnast: Professional ice skater and four-time German Champion.
• Fritz Kiehnast: Austrian skier who competed in the 1956 Winter Olympics.
• Robert Kiehnast: Member of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra since 1997.
• Felix Kiehnast: Former East German Nordic combined skier.
• Heiko Kiehnast: German sports shooter who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics.
• Frieder Kiehnast: German jazz and swing trumpeter.
• Will Kiehnast: American professional sports journalist.

Other surnames

Kiehnapfel