Surname Runkler - Meaning and Origin

Runkler: What does the surname Runkler mean?

The last name Runkler is of German origin. It is a derivative of the words "Runken" and "Leer", which respectively mean to ride down a slope or a hill and empty. As such, the name could reflect a physical feature of the landscape or an area, or it could be redolent of an occupational practice.

In the case of a geographical feature, it would suggest a hill or slope that was fairly steep, almost as if it had been ridden down, and upon which there were few or no people living there. This could be an indication of a barren landscape, with little to recommend it as a chosen place of habitation.

Alternatively, the name may be indicative of a job that required regularly descending down a hill in order to clear it of something. In the past, such a task could have included the riding down of a hillside to clear it of brush or trees in order to create usable farmland or to prepare it for other uses. It may also have been a term used to refer to those that mined underground passages, emerging from them with their arms filled with their mineral bounty, now empty.

In any case, the name Runkler is a reflection of an activity or feature of the surrounding area that has been part of the family history for generations. It is a reminder that their ancestors achieved a lot, no matter how difficult the task or location, and it serves as a powerful legacy for all those that carry the name today.

Runkler: Where does the name Runkler come from?

The last name Runkler is a rare name these days, and its origin is German. It is thought to have come from a Middle High German word ‘runkel’ which means ‘a type of grape’. The Runkler family can be found in many parts of Germany today, especially in large cities such as Berlin, Munich, Hanover, and Frankfurt. They can also be found in other parts of Europe, particularly in Austria where many of the original Runkler families established themselves in the late 17th century.

In the 20th century, the Runkler family began to settle in the United States, particularly in the form of German-Americans. These families often adopted the Americanized spelling of Runkel. Today, the Runkel spelling can be seen in many parts of the United States, with the majority of the Runkel surname found in the midwest states such as Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Wisconsin. Additionally, there are small pockets of the Runkler family in other parts of the US, including New York, Florida, and Texas.

Variations of the surname Runkler

Runkler is a German and Dutch surname that is derived from the name Runkel or Rünkel, which was originally a place name. Runkel is a location in Hesse, Germany. Variations of Runkler include Runkel, RUnkel, Runckle, Rünkel, RUnkle, Runckl, Runkl, ROnckle, RUnkler, Runckler, Ronkel, Runkell, and ROnkler.

Within the German language, one might encounter the surname Runkler, as well as the variations Ronkler and Runkle. The Dutch spelling is often written as Runkel or Rünkel. The Dutch variation of the surname is sometimes encountered as ROnkler or ROnkel.

The patronymic extension of Runkler is Runkeler, which is generally preferable in Dutch, whereas some people might use the German extension of Runkler, which is Runklers.

The anglicized spellings of Runkler include Runckl, Runckle, Runkell, Runckler, and Runkle. All of these variations are derived from the original name Runkel, and may be observed in some orthographic records.

It is also common to find different variants of the surname Runkler, such as Ronkle, ROnkle, Ronkel, ROnkel, RUnkler and RUnkle, within the various regions across Europe. Some may even use the German extensions such as Runklers and Runkeler.

Famous people with the name Runkler

• Peter Runkler, former professional football player from New Jersey.
• George Runkler, founder of the Runkler Tool Company in Pennsylvania.
• Edward Runkler, a US Army Lieutenant who served during World War II.
• William Runkler, a musician and composer from Virginia.
• Charles Runkler, a former insurance executive from Wisconsin.
• Robert Runkler, a former actor from California.
• Thomas Runkler, a former CEO of Runkler Industries in Ohio.
• Elizabeth Runkler, a photographer and artist from New Mexico.
• Richard Runkler, a factory worker from New York.
• George Runkler Jr., an engineer from Massachusetts.
• Charles Runkler Jr., a surgeon from South Carolina.
• Rebecca Runkler, a television personality from Maryland.
• Sarah Runkler, an Olympic athlete from Washington, DC.
• Donald Runkler, a veterinarian from Florida.
• John Runkler, a diversified entrepreneur from Illinois.
• Douglas Runkler, a retired nuclear engineer from Iowa.
• Paul Runkler, an entrepreneur from North Carolina.
• Mark Runkler, a world-class sailor from Nebraska.
• Kenneth Runkler, a philanthropist from Indiana.
• Matthew Runkler, an environmental scientist from Minnesota.

Other surnames

Runkle