Surname Unkels - Meaning and Origin
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Unkels: What does the surname Unkels mean?
The last name Unkels is a German surname, derived from the term mukel, meaning “uncle”. This is likely why the surname is most common in Germany and the Austrian region. Unkels is a patronymic last name, meaning it was derived from the first name of a male ancestor. By the 19th century, due to migration, large numbers of Germans had spread to various nations such as England, Canada and the United States.
Unkels is an uncommon yet recognizable name and would have been a designation of an important man in German society. At the time it was given as a last name, Unkels was given to someone who was an uncle in a large extended family. This means the man was likely the elder brother of a father.
In modern times, Unkels is a surname that carries a unique meaning and can be traced back to its German roots. It is a reminder of the importance of family and the strength of lineage. In some cases, the last name has been changed to Unkel to represent a more modern form of the name. Furthermore, Unkels is often shortened to the more informal Unks, which is an affectionate term for “uncle”. Although the last name is not as common today, Unkels remains a meaningful and recognizable name.
Order DNA origin analysisUnkels: Where does the name Unkels come from?
The last name Unkels is most common today in Germany, where records indicate that nearly 4,000 people bear the surname. The earliest records of the Unkels name date back to 1507, when a Hans Unkels was mentioned in records from the city of Mainz. Since then, one branch of the Unkels family appears to have stayed in the area of Mainz and the greater Rhineland-Palatinate region, while other branches moved to other areas of Germany.
The Unkels surname is also found in other parts of Europe, such as Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as parts of the United States. In the United States, the Census of 2000 reveals that there were at least 123 people with the last name of Unkels living mainly in Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Illinois, and Iowa. This indicates that some members of the Unkels family moved to the United States at least 100 years ago, accounting for the spread of this surname in the US.
Overall, the Unkels name is most commonly found in Germany today, followed by other parts of Europe and the United States. As a consequence of migration and the changing nature of population, it is possible that in the near future, more Unkels family members may be residing in different parts of the world, further spreading the last name Unkels.
Variations of the surname Unkels
The surname Unkels is derived from two central European language surnames: Unkel and Unkles (or Unkelen). The spelling Unkel is found most commonly in Germany, and has several variations, such as Unckles, Unkel, Uenkel, Unckle, Uncker, Unkler, Uenkle, Unke, Uenck and Unkl.
In English and Dutch, the surname spelling Unkles (or Unkelen) is more common, and there are several individual variations, such as unckel, Unkles, Unsells, Unsels and Unsell.
In the United States, the surname Unkels is most often found in Pennsylvania and has several variations. Those include Unkles, Onkles, Enkels, Ulenkles, Unklesley and Uncless.
Unkels is the form of the surname that is most closely associated with multiple European languages as well as Pennsylvania. It is believed to have been derived from a central European language, so there may be regional variations in spelling and pronunciation.
The Unkels surname is found throughout Europe, the United States and Canada, indicating that the surname has migrated in multiple directions over many centuries. The unique spelling and variations of the surname suggest that dramatic changes in details occurred as the surname moved and changed within regions.
Famous people with the name Unkels
- Bryan Unkels: A former Major League Baseball pitcher from 1994-2003.
- Adam Unkels: A German tennis player and professional golfer.
- Daniel Unkels: A former NFL linebacker and defensive captain for the Oakland Raiders.
- Larry Unkels: An American professor of philosophy and the current dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Wisconsin.
- Al Unkels: An American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
- Robert Unkels: A retired Major League Baseball pitcher from 1975-1984.
- John Unkels: An American investor, philanthropist and president of Unkels Group LLC, a financial and media strategies firm.
- Emil Unkels: A German figure skater in the 1930s and 1940s who won six medals at European championships.
- Holly Unkels: A professional volleyball player in the U.S. Women's National Volleyball League.
- Denise Unkels: An American actress, best known for her roles in “Beverly Hills 90210” and “7th Heaven”.