Surname Kinnast - Meaning and Origin
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Kinnast: What does the surname Kinnast mean?
The last name Kinnast is of Scandinavian origin and is derived from the Old Norse name ‘Kynnast’. It is believed to have been the Old Norse form of the name ‘Cynest’, meaning an area of steep hills. The name was likely to have been used as a descriptive byname. A byname is an inherited family name in the Scandinavian countries which dates back to a specific ancestor. It was often used to distinguish between two individuals with the same first name or family name.
The name Kinnast is most commonly found in Sweden and Norway. It is common in the northern and western region of Sweden, and in Norway is mainly found in the southern part of the country. In Denmark the name can also be found but not in large numbers. It is believed that the name originated in or around modern day Oslo in Norway.
In Sweden, the meaning of the name has also been linked to the old Scandinavian terms ‘kynnast’ meaning ‘kin’ and ‘ast’ meaning ‘race’ or ‘family’, making it an apt surname. A bearer of this name could have held a very influential position within their community.
The name Kinnast is a unique surname and is a great example of how names can evolve and be adopted over generations. Its history is fascinating and it's great to know more about the meaning of family names.
Order DNA origin analysisKinnast: Where does the name Kinnast come from?
The last name Kinnast originates from Finland, and is still quite common in this Northern European country. According to the Finnish Population Register Center, there were 3,604 Kinnast in Finland as of 2019. Most of the Kinnast in Finland today live in the Southern and Central parts of the country, especially in the regions of Pirkanmaa, Helsinki-Uusimaa and Varsinais-Suomi.
The Kinnast name is also present in other countries, though it is much rarer than in Finland. Sweden counted 216 people named Kinnast in 2020, and Denmark had 56 residents with this surname. There are also Kinnast living in Germany, Australia, United Kingdom and United States, although their numbers are much lower compared to Finland.
In the United states, the most Kinnast households are located in California and Florida. According to the 2010 census, California has 20 Kinnast households, while Florida has 11.
In short, the last name Kinnast is still quite common in Finland, where as it is not as common in other countries.
Variations of the surname Kinnast
The surname Kinnast is of predominantly German origin and is derived from the medieval personal name Konrad. Variants of the surname include Kinnast, Kynast, Kincaid, Kincaide, Kinch, Kinkead, and Kinhead. There are also several more distant variants that are considered to have the same origin such as Conrade, Conrady, Konradt, Conradi, Konradi, Kadt, and Kaden.
Kinnast is the German spelling of the surname, and it has variants that are found in North and Central Europe. Kynast is the Dutch variant spelling and is mostly found in the Netherlands, while Kincaid and Kincaide are Scottish and Northern Irish variants respectively, and can be found across the United Kingdom. Kinch and Kinkead are English variants found in England, while Kinhead is considered to be a variant of the Scottish Kincaid.
Conrade, Conrady, Konradt, Conradi, and Konradi are all German variant spellings of the surname, while Kadt and Kaden are found in Austria and Southern Germany respectively. These variants are closely related to each other and have the same origin, though there may be slight differences in the spelling.
Although the various variants of the surname can be found in different countries, they are all generally considered to be under the same origin, going back to the original medieval personal name Konrad. Therefore, the variations and spellings of the surname Kinnast can be found all over Europe and are all of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Kinnast
- Chris Kinnast: Chris Kinnast is a bass player and composer who has lent his musical talents to iconic rock and roll groups such as the Velvet Underground, The Pixies, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Sonic Youth, and more.
- Joonas Kinnast: Joonas Kinnast is a Finnish actor and singer, who has been in multiple popular Scandinavian films such as Thicker than Water and The Unknown, as well as TV series including Snöflingor and Muutosten tulessa.
- Carri Kinnast: Carri Kinnast is an Icelandic-American experimental painter and sculptor, known for her detailed, highly dimensional work featuring vibrant colors and unique materials.
- Tanja Kinnast: Tanja Kinnast is a German model, actress, and reality TV star, who is best known for her role on the popular series Deutschland sucht den Superstar.
- Marc Kinnast: Marc Kinnast is an award-winning American theater director, who has had productions in New York, LA, and other major cities throughout the US.
- Mike Kinnast: Mike Kinnast is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in the UFC and Bellator as well as numerous other MMA leagues.
- Fred Kinnast: Fred Kinnast is an American composer who has written music for film, television, and advertising. He also co-founded the experimental music project, Future Farm.
- Heli Kinnast: Heli Kinnast is a Finnish fashion designer who has won numerous awards for her innovative, modern collections. Her clothing has been featured in many fashion magazines and exhibitions.
- Gunta Kinnast: Gunta Kinnast is an Estonian-American journalist and author, who has written several books and articles on a variety of topics related to politics and culture.
- Jaak Kinnast: Jaak Kinnast is a famous Estonian actor who has featured in multiple films and television series over the years, among them Kaamos and Naised.