Surname Neunkirchen - Meaning and Origin

Neunkirchen: What does the surname Neunkirchen mean?

Neunkirchen is a German surname originating from the Bavarian town of Neunkirchen. It can be translated to mean “nine churches,” as this town was known for having nine churches in its area. The town of Neunkirchen was first mentioned as “Novi Monasterii” in the 1126 charter of the Zwiefalten Monastery, and it was later part of the Neumarkt district of Bavaria. Neunkirchen is an area of German culture that has been continuously inhabited since Roman times.

Today, the Neunkirchen surname is often associated with those living in the German region of Bavaria. It is also a popular name in neighboring countries such as France and Austria. The Neunkirchen surname has become more common in other parts of the world due to the emigration of people from this region.

The Neunkirchen surname is not necessarily indicative of where a person’s ancestors originated from, as the name is made up of two words from two different German dialects. Nevertheless, it is a fascinating name that holds much history and is strongly associated with the Bavarian culture.

Neunkirchen: Where does the name Neunkirchen come from?

The last name Neunkirchen is most commonly found in Germany today. It is a toponymic name, derived from the town of Neunkirchen, located in the modern day state of Saarland, in Southwest Germany.

Neunkirchen dates back to the 12th century when it was first mentioned in the records. The name literally translates to 'new church', reflecting the new place of worship built in the area.

In modern times, around 14,000 people live in the town of Neunkirchen, with the number of Neunkirchen last name holders estimated to be much higher, due to migration.

The majority of Germans bearing the surname Neunkirchen are descendants of those originally from the town. However as of the last census in 2017, it is also noted that a small proportion of Germans bearing the Neunkirchen surname live in the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

The Neunkirchen surname is also common in many of the neighbouring countries of Germany, including Austria, Poland and the Czech Republic. Today, it is closely associated with the town of its origin, providing a clear link between its inhabitants past and present.

Variations of the surname Neunkirchen

The surname Neunkirchen is derived from the town of Neunkirchen in Saarland, Germany. It is primarily a German name but is also found in areas settled by German-speaking people such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Neunkirchen is typically spelled in one of two ways in English: Neunkirchen or NeinKirchen. It is also often seen spelt with a hyphen, such as Neun-Kirchen.

The earliest use of the surname Neunkirchen in recorded history is in Hesse-Nassau, Germany in 1687.

Variants of the Neunkirchen surname include Ninkirchen, Ninckirchen, Ninkirch, NeinKirchen, Neuhnkirchen, Neunkirchener, Neunkirchner, Neunke, Neinke, Neinkers, Neinker, Nein, Nine and Nien.

Surnames with similar origins include Neukirchen, Ninkirk, Neunkarcher, Nenke, Nenkers, Nenkered, Nonkers, Nonked, Neynkirk, Ninkes, Nienke, Nienked, Neynke, Ninth, and Nienkark.

All of these spellings and surnames of Neunkirchen origin can be found in the same areas. Many of these names may have changed or evolved over the centuries, a process that is still happening today.

Famous people with the name Neunkirchen

• Hannelore Kraft: Former Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia
• Klaus Bild: Mayor of Neunkirchen, Saarland
• Irmgard Grobmeier: Swimming Olympian
• Evelyn Krautwald: Singer
• Claude-Mariotte Neunkirchen: French couturier and fashion designer
• Florian Neunkirchen: Footballer
• Mark Neunkirchen: Pianist and Composer
• Christian Neunkirchen: Director
• Georg Neunkirchen: Entrepreneur
• Gisbert Neunkirchen: Artist and Sculptor

Other surnames

Neunkirch