Surname Fünkele - Meaning and Origin

Fünkele: What does the surname Fünkele mean?

The last name Fünkele is a German surname of original Swiss origin. It can be traced back to the 12th century and first appeared in the Swabian region of present-day Germany. The name Fünkele is a variation of the common German surname Fünkel, which means “little sparrow”. It can also be interpreted as a combination of the German words fünf, meaning “five”, and kele meaning “little” or “small”.

This surname was historically held by people who were known as sparrow sellers in rural towns. Sparrows were seen as a sign of luck because they were considered a symbol of the home. As a result, people would have bought sparrows and hung them around their homes in the hopes of bringing good luck or preventing bad luck. The name Fünkele is believed to have been used as a descriptive name for a person who was known to sell sparrows in their local community.

The name Fünkele is also known to have been used as an occupational surname. It has been recorded in various documents, such as parish records and tax records, and can be found in various parts of Germany. As the Fünkele surname has spread over the centuries and moved around the world, different spellings of this surname have developed. Some of the more common variations of the name include Fonkele, Funkele, Fünkle, and Fonkel.

Today the surname Fünkele is most commonly found in the United States, and it is believed to be the 54,757th most popular surname in the United States. It has earned its place in the hearts of many American families and can be found all throughout the United States.

Fünkele: Where does the name Fünkele come from?

The last name Fünkele is of German origin, and is still common in many parts of Germany today. It is a relatively popular surname in the country, and has its roots in the city of Nuremberg. It is believed to have first been used in the northern region of Germany as far back as the 13th century.

The surname is thought to be derived from a combination of two elements. The first element is from the personal name Funcho, which is believed to have originated from the Old Germanic word "funkon," meaning to "resound" or "to chant." The second element may have come from the Middle High German word "ecke," meaning "corner," and could indicate that the original holders of the name were corner makers or dwellers in a corner.

Outside Germany, the surname is not as common, though there are still some individuals bearing it in a number of European countries, as well as in the United States. Today, it is commonly found in Germany’s southeastern regions, including Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, as well as parts of Austria.

Overall, the last name Fünkele is still quite widespread in Germany, particularly in its southern regions. Although it might not be as well-known outside of the country, it has its roots firmly planted in German culture, with its humble beginnings stretching back some 700 years.

Variations of the surname Fünkele

The Fünkele surname has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The primary spelling is Fünkele, with alternate spellings including Fuehneke, Fuhneke, Funkele, and Fuenkele. Other variants include Funele, Füneke, and Fuhnke.

Surnames of the same origin as the Fünkele surname include Fünning, Fünnagel, Füne, Füneland, and Fünk. Additional surnames include Fink, Finken, Finkl, Finkenauer, Finkler, and Finkes.

Variants of the Fünkele surname can also be found in other countries like the Netherlands, where it might be spelled as Vöhnke, Föhnke, Fönyke, or Fòhnke, and in English-speaking countries, where it can be seen as Finkle, Funke, Fonk, and Funck. In Germany, Fünkele is also a given name.

The origin of the Fünkele surname, however, is unclear. It may be derived from the name Vöhnke or Fuhnke, which indicate someone “from the bean fields” or “from the beech tree” in Old German. It may also be tied to other names such as Fünkelmann, Fonkelmann, or Fonckenauer, which might indicate someone “from the sparkle” or “from the canker” in Old German.

Regardless of its origin, the Fünkele surname has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin that are still used today.

Famous people with the name Fünkele

• Max Fünkele: German actor best known for his role in the dark comedy movie "Toni Erdmann".
• Mathias Fünkele: German football player who played for various teams in Europe. He also represented Germany at the 1988 Summer Olympics.
• Rudolf Fünkele: German field hockey player who was part of the team that won bronze at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
• Matthias Fünkele: German composer and organist, best known for his contemporary works.
• Jana Fünkele: German athlete who won silver at the 2014 European Athletics Championships in the women's 4x400 metres relay.
• Martina Fünkele: German speed skater who competed in the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympics.
• Raoul Fünkele: German actor and director, best known for his roles in the TV series "Tatort".
• Werner Fünkele: German painter, watercolorist and graphic designer, known for his portraits and landscapes.
• Robert Fünkele: Austrian painter who specialized in post-Impressionist and landscape paintings.
• Herbert Fünkele: German track and field athlete, who was part of the national team in the 1952 Summer Olympics.

Other surnames

FunkelFünkel