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

Hunkeler, 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 Hunkeler surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Hunkeler in America

Hunkeler is the 150436th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Hunkeler surname appeared 100 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Hunkeler.

The history of the last name Hunkeler

The surname Hunkeler finds its origins in the German-speaking regions of Switzerland, particularly around the canton of Lucerne. The name's earliest usage can be traced back to the late Middle Ages, around the 14th and 15th centuries. Various historical records suggest that the name is deeply rooted in Swiss heritage, specifically deriving from the Old High German word “hunch,” meaning "hump" or "hunch," and the suffix "-ler," indicating a person associated with or characterized by the root word.

Historical references note that the Hunkeler name appears in several early Swiss documents. For example, an early mention of the name can be found in church registries and tax records from the Lucerne area during the late 1400s. One of the earliest recorded instances is that of Nikolaus Hunkeler, documented in ecclesiastical records from 1483. His presence in medieval documents suggests the name held a certain degree of local significance even then.

Moving into the 16th century, a prominent bearer of the name was Georg Hunkeler, a resident of Sursee in Lucerne, born in 1525. Not much is detailed about his life, but his name appears in municipal records, indicating he had some standing in the local community. His family would have likely engaged in trades or agriculture, common occupations of the region at the time.

By the 17th century, Johann Hunkeler, born in 1648, became a notable figure. Although not of nobility, his contributions to local governance were documented in regional administrative records. His name appears in transactions that show interplay with other notable families of the canton, illustrating a gradual increase in the socio-economic prominence of the Hunkelers over generations.

Another significant historical figure was Hans Heinrich Hunkeler, born in 1691. He was recognized for his role in local politics and his involvement with early communal farming initiatives in the canton of Lucerne. His work was influential enough to be noted in regional historical accounts, marking the Hunkeler family’s continued local influence.

In the 19th century, Johann Jakob Hunkeler, born in 1811, gained recognition as a respected tradesman. His skillfulness in craftsmanship was well-documented in regional journals of the time, indicating that the family had established themselves as reputable and skilled members of the artisan community. His lineage continued the family tradition of prominence in Lucerne, with descendants who carried forward the name into various sectors, including agriculture, trade, and local governance.

The surname Hunkeler encapsulates a rich history spanning several centuries and generations within the German-speaking Swiss region, maintaining a consistent presence mainly around Lucerne. The name showcases an evolution from a regional identifier to one of local renown, contributing to the socio-economic tapestry of Swiss history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Hunkeler

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Hunkeler 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.

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 Hunkeler was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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