Surname Kuhnert - Meaning and Origin
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Kuhnert: What does the surname Kuhnert mean?
The last name Kuhnert is of German origin and is derived from the word ‘kuhn’ meaning bold or brave. It is also an occupational name for someone who was likely a farmer, as the word ‘kuhn’ is related to cow and ‘ert’ is an occupational suffix referring to someone who was a herdsman or dairyman. The Kuhnert name may also refer to someone involved in specialized animal husbandry, such as a beekeeper.
It is believed that the Kuhnert name is a patronymic one, which means it was assumed by the first bearer of the name from their father’s first name. In ancient Germanic society, and particularly in rural areas such as those where the Kuhnert family began, people were commonly referred to by the name of their father or the head of the family.
The last name Kuhnert has evolved over time and is still prevalent today in regions of Germany, across Europe and beyond. In America particularly, the name has been found to have been adapted as Curner and Goonert, perhaps suggesting a more Americanized version of the traditional German form. It is still associated with boldness, bravery and animal husbandry, and is a respected name.
Order DNA origin analysisKuhnert: Where does the name Kuhnert come from?
The last name Kuhnert is of German origin and is most commonly found in Germany and its surrounding areas such as Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. It is also found in Canada, particularly in areas with a strong German heritage such as southern Ontario.
In terms of Germany, the first recorded instance of the Kuhnert surname can be traced to in Lower Saxony, a state in Germany, and has been used there and the surrounding areas for many centuries. Today, it is one of the most common surnames in northern Germany, particularly in the states of Lower Saxony, North Rhine–Westphalia, and Hamburg.
In Canada, the name Kuhnert is primarily represented by the descendants of German immigrants, many of whom settled in the southern part of the country, with the largest concentration of this last name found in Ontario. Outside of Germany and Canada, there are relatively few occurrences of the Kuhnert surname. However, the name can still be found in other parts of Europe, such as small pockets in Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. Yet, the Kuhnert surname is not particularly widespread outside of the countries already mentioned.
Variations of the surname Kuhnert
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Kuhnert are Konert, Koinert, Könert, Köhnert, Königert, Königheir, Kuehni, and Coehnert.
Konert is an alternate spelling of Kuhnert, which is a variation of the German name Königert. Königert itself is derived from konig, meaning "king," and heer, meaning "army." The surname refers to a person who was a part of a royal military assembly.
Koinert is another spelling of the name, derived from the diminutive of konig, or "kinglo." The person carrying the name was likely a small, insignificant figure in a kingly court.
Köhnert is a variation of the same name, derived from the diminutive of koenig, or "kinglet." The person carrying the name belonged to the lesser nobility.
Kühni is an alternative spelling of the name, derived from the diminutive of koenig, or "kinsman." The person carrying the name likely belonged to the royal family or was a close friend to the king.
Koenigheir is another variation of the name, derived from the root words konig, meaning "king," and heer, meaning "army." The person carrying this name was likely a member of a royal court.
Cohenert is a variant of the surname derived from the Yiddish word kohen, or "priest." The progenitor of the Cohenert name was likely a Jewish priest.
In all, the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Kuhnert offer an array of understandings into its bearer's history and role in the royal court. While there are some variations of the name which may imply different levels of nobility, ultimately the name proudly bearing the various spelling demands respect for the individual from whom it is derived.
Famous people with the name Kuhnert
- Oskar Kuhnert: German painter and graphic artist known for his studies of portraiture and animals.
- Kala Kuhnert: Former basketball player for the Australian National team.
- Chuck Kuhnert: Freestyle skier and two-time Olympian for the United States.
- Uwe Kuhnert: German football player who featured in the Bundesliga for Eintracht Braunschweig.
- Rita Kuhnert: Austrian-born teacher and author published in Germany.
- Erich Kuhnert: German World War I veteran and recipient of the Iron Cross.
- Yoel Kuhnert: Israeli: German professional football player.
- Tom Kuhnert: German former artistic gymnast and IG competition judge.
- Richard Kuhnert: German-born caricaturist and illustrator.
- Wilma Kuhnert: German model and television presenter.