Surname Kieneke - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kieneke: What does the surname Kieneke mean?
The last name Kieneke is of German origin and is most commonly found in the northern and eastern parts of Germany. It is believed to derived from the personal name Konrad, which means “bold ruler”, and the suffix -eke, which translates to “little” or “small”. The surname is believed to have been given to someone of shorter stature or younger age, as a form of endearment. The exact origin of the exact origin of the surname is not known for certain.
Since the surname originated in German-speaking areas, there is some evidence to suggest that it may have evolved from the Middle High German phrase "keino kind", which means “no child”. It is possible that the name was given to someone from a family which had no children, and sought to identify this person as an exception within the family.
Today, people named Kieneke can be found all over the world, often as a result of immigration and displacement during the period of war and depression in Europe. Those of this name are generally thought to be intelligent and driven, with an appreciation for the arts. The name Kieneke is rarely used as a first name.
Order DNA origin analysisKieneke: Where does the name Kieneke come from?
The last name Kieneke is most commonly found in Germany today, although it is believed to have some roots in the Netherlands as well. Kieneke is a fairly uncommon name, and is estimated to represent less than 0.1% of the population in Germany.
The original spelling of the name was Kienke, first appearing in several cities including Leipzig, Cologne, Thuringia, and Silesia. This spelling gradually changed over centuries to the current version. The name originated from the Middle High German term “kienenk”, referring to a geographically-specific type of bird.
Kieneke likely represents an old family of hereditary nobility. German aristocracy enjoyed a great deal of independence in the Middle Ages and used this to their advantage, becoming deeply entrenched in their local economies and further cementing their status within their communities.
Today, Kienekes are found mainly in Germany, with limited numbers in the United States and Australia. The name may be found in census records and in maps of the old German principalities. It is apparently still widely used, as 2010 German records show that over 500 people with the name still live in the country.
Variations of the surname Kieneke
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Kieneke include: Kieneke, Kienke, Kyeeneke, Kienecke, Kieneken, Kienekes, Kienemann, Kienemeyer, Kienholz, Kienitz and Kienzle.
The surname Kieneke is derived from the Middle High German name Keienke which is thought to possibly have been derived from Ahrenskeien, a place near Hanover, Germany. It is also believed to come from a reformed form of the old German word kien, meaning ‘oak’. This is fitting as the original spelling of the surname was Keienke, which sounds like it could be derived from this word.
Kienke is a common spelling and variation of Kieneke, and is also thought to derive from Keienke. It is likely that this spelling emerged because of influence from the Low German spelling and pronunciation of the name.
Kyeeneke is another variation shared by the surname Kieneke. It may be derived from a corruption of Namenken, giving the surname a Low German origin as the form reflects the Low German pronunciation.
Kienecke is a variation usually seen in areas of North America and Canada. It is believed to have been a deliberate corruption of the original German form of Keienke.
Kieneken is also a common variant. It is thought to have emerged as a result of influence from the Low German spelling, drawing away from the original High German form of Keienke.
Kienekes is another variation of the name thought to have been derived from the Low German vernacular and spelling.
Kienemann, Kienemeyer, Kienholz, Kienitz and Kienzle are also believed to have emerged from the original Middle High German form of Keienke. These are likely to have been variants used to form distinct surnames as a result of avoiding confusion with similar surnames.
Famous people with the name Kieneke
- Frederick Kieneke, a former Australian professional rugby league footballer
- Joe Kieneke, a professional golfer
- David Kieneke, a German celebrity farrier
- Ben Kieneke, an American musician and songwriter
- Talia Kieneke, an American actress
- Geoff Kieneke, a retired British motorcycle racer
- Jude Kieneke, a professional lacrosse player
- Barbara Kieneke, an American opera singer
- Alan Kieneke, an American martial artist
- Steve Kieneke, a British actor
- Ludwig Kieneke, an American composer
- Rick Kieneke, an American photography artist
- Clif Kieneke, a German musician
- Gary Kieneke, a retired Major League Baseball player
- Marvin Kieneke, an American orthopedic surgeon
- Larry Kieneke, an American mathematician
- Phil Kieneke, a former British Formula One driver
- Joanne Kieneke, an American professional wrestler
- Monique Kieneke, a retired Swiss tennis player
- Nelly Kieneke, a German politician