Find out how popular the last name Gunkel is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Gunkel.

Gunkel, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Gunkel surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Gunkel in America

Gunkel is the 24517th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gunkel surname appeared 1,020 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Gunkel.

We can also compare 2010 data for Gunkel to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Gunkel

The surname GUNKEL is of German origin, originating in the 16th century in the regions of Bavaria and Saxony. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "gunke," which referred to a type of small boat or vessel used for transporting goods on rivers and canals.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name GUNKEL can be found in the town records of Nuremberg, dated 1573, where a certain Hans GUNKEL is mentioned as a boat builder and operator. It is believed that the name initially referred to individuals who worked in the boating or shipping industry, either as vessel builders or transporters.

In the 17th century, the GUNKEL name appears in various church records and municipal documents across southern Germany, particularly in the regions of Franconia and the Rhineland-Palatinate. This suggests that the name had spread from its initial roots in Bavaria and Saxony.

One notable bearer of the GUNKEL surname was Johann Georg GUNKEL (1705-1775), a renowned clockmaker and inventor from the town of Ansbach in Bavaria. His intricate and innovative timepiece designs brought him widespread recognition during his lifetime.

Another historical figure was the writer and philosopher Hermann GUNKEL (1862-1932), who made significant contributions to the field of biblical studies and literary criticism. His work on the analysis of biblical narratives and their historical and cultural contexts was highly influential.

In the 19th century, the GUNKEL name gained prominence in the field of education with the academic and educator Friedrich GUNKEL (1814-1887), who served as the principal of a prestigious secondary school in Berlin and played a pivotal role in shaping the city's educational system.

The name also appears in military records, with Johann GUNKEL (1828-1902), a Prussian army officer who fought in the Franco-Prussian War and later achieved the rank of general.

Another noteworthy bearer of the GUNKEL surname was the artist and illustrator Hermann GUNKEL (1872-1945), whose intricate etchings and woodcuts depicting rural life and landscapes were widely acclaimed in the early 20th century.

While the surname GUNKEL has its roots in Germany, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora, ensuring its enduring presence in various cultures and societies.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gunkel

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Gunkel.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Gunkel was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Gunkel has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Gunkel was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Gunkel, please contact us.

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