Kunkel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The Kunkel surname is derived from the Middle High German word "kunkel," which meant "spindle." It is thus supposed that the first bearers of this surname were spindle makers in occupation.

Early Origins of the Kunkel family

The surname Kunkel was first found in Bavaria, where the family was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. Early records show a Dithart Kunkele, in Gieben in 1356, and a bearer of Kunkerl, who was a Pilgrim in 1379. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region. They branched into many houses, and their contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power.

Early History of the Kunkel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kunkel research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1630, 1638, 1693, 1703, 1751 and 1813 are included under the topic Early Kunkel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kunkel Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gunkel, Kinkel, Kunkel, Kuenkel, Kenkel, Gunkle, Kunkle, Künkel, Kinkle, Künkler, Gunkler and many more.

Early Notables of the Kunkel family

Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kunkel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kunkel Ranking

In the United States, the name Kunkel is the 3,826^th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 1

Kunkel migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kunkel Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Hans Kunkel, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1748 2
Hans Adam Kunkel, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1748 2
Lorentz Kunkel, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1751 2
Peter Kunkel, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1753 2
Joh Christian Kunkel, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1766 2

Kunkel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Matthew Kunkel, who landed in Philadelphia in 1849
Ludwig Kunkel, who arrived in New York with his wife in 1850
Bonifaz Kunkel, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1850 2
Wilhelm Kunkel, who landed in New York, NY in 1850 2
Lisette Kunkel, who landed in New York, NY in 1850 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Kunkel (post 1700) +

Jeff Kunkel, American cameraman, best known for his work on Iron Man (2008)
Jeff Kunkel (b. 1962), American Major League Baseball player
John Christian Kunkel (1816-1870), American Congressman from Pennsylvania
George Kunkel (1866-1937), American actor of the 1920s
Thor Kunkel (b. 1963), German author
John C. Kunkel (1898-1970), American politician, US Congressman from Pennsylvania
Bill Kunkel, Major League Baseball pitcher and umpire

Historic Events for the Kunkel family +

Bismarck

Werner Kunkel (1922-1941), German Matrose who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 3
Adolf Kunkel (b. 1922), German Matrose who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck (1941) during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he survived the sinking 3

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details