Dunkelmann History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Etymology of Dunkelmann

What does the name Dunkelmann mean?

The bountiful region surrounding the Rhine river is the birthplace of the name Dunkelmann. A single name was, at one time, all that people needed. However, increasing ease of travel and the burgeoning populations forced people to adopt a hereditary surname to set themselves apart from others. A common form of surname found in the Rhineland was the local name, a name taken on from a place-name. Originally denoting the proprietorship of a village or estate, the German preposition von, which means from or of, used with local names, was taken as a mark of aristocracy. The surname Dunkelmann was given to someone who lived near a swamp. Ancient records reveal the name Dunkelmann is derived from the Old German word dunk, which referred to a small hill in a swampy area. The surname Dunkelmann is also of nickname origin and derived from the word dunck, or dunkel which means dark. One must assume that the original bearers of the surname Dunkelmann had dark physical features.

Early Origins of the Dunkelmann family

The surname Dunkelmann was first found in the Rhineland, where the name was closely identified in early mediaeval times with the feudal society which would become prominent throughout European history. The name would later emerge as a noble family with great influence, having many distinguished branches, and become noted for its involvement in social, economic and political affairs. The earliest individual member of this family to be mentioned in chronicles was Georg Dunckel who lived in Cologne on the Rhine river around 1186.

Early History of the Dunkelmann family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dunkelmann research. Another 80 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1811 and 1866 are included under the topic Early Dunkelmann History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dunkelmann Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Dunkelmann include Dunkel, Dunckel, Dunkelman, Dunkelmann, Dunkell, Dunkle, Dunker and many more.

Early Notables of the Dunkelmann family

More information is included under the topic Early Dunkelmann Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Dunkelmann family

The great European flow of migration to North America, which began in the middle of the 17th century and continued into the 20th century, was particularly attractive to those from the Rhineland who wished to escape either poverty or religious persecution. Many of those who left the Rhineland to seek their fortunes in the prosperous and free New World settled in the major urban centers of the United States and Canada. In the United States, the settlers from the Rhineland passed through immigration centers like that of Ellis Island, most of them moving on to Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, and New York. In Canada, the majority of Rhinelanders settled in Ontario and the prairie provinces. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has revealed many important settlers to North America bearing the name Dunkelmann, or one of its variants above: Barbara Dunckel, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1785; Johannes Dunckel arrived in Philadelphia in 1730; John Dunckel, age 26; settled in America in 1709.