Surname Kalnins - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kalnins: What does the surname Kalnins mean?
The last name Kalnins is believed to be of Eastern European origin, specifically Latvian. The name is derived from the Latvian word for anupper part of the foot and dates back as far as the 1600s. This gives an indication of the surname’s holders having connections to the lower nobility of a previous era.
In modern times, the last name Kalnins is most commonly found within people of Eastern European decent, and is most prolific in Latvia. Records from Latvia, show that the surname Kalnins was common amongst villagers by the 18th century in the Kurzeme and Valka districts.
There is evidence to suggest that the Kalnins name was adopted by emigrants fleeing Eastern Europe in the late 19th century, and by the 20th century it had spread overseas to a variety of destinations.
The coat of arms for the Kalnins name is a red and gold shield outlined in black; it features a lion, with a comet and five stars positioned above it. This is believed to represent the perseverance and nobility of the family’s ensuing generations, as well as being a symbol of strength and courage.
The Kalnins name is one steeped in illustrious history and as such is still highly regarded and respected, lending themselves to parents wanting to continue to honour the family’s proud heritage for generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisKalnins: Where does the name Kalnins come from?
The surname Kalnins is most commonly found today in the countries of Latvia and Russia. It originates from the Latvian word "Kalna" meaning crest or hill and was given to people who settled in higher elevations.
In Latvia, Kalnins is a common last name. According to the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia, it was the 121st most popular surname in the country in 2020. In Russia, the name is not as commonly used, but it still made the country’s list of top 200 surnames for the same year.
It is also found in some other European countries, including Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, Poland, and Germany. Outside of Europe, Kalnins is mainly found among the diasporic Latvian and Russian populations. Some emigrants have found new homes in countries such as Canada, the United States, Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand.
In addition to its geographical diversity, the surname Kalnins is also associated with the diverse occupations of its bearers. Historically, people with the name Kalnins were most likely to be involved in agriculture. Later, other professions such as carpenters, bakers, shoemakers, and tailors were common among Kalnins family members.
Today, the surname Kalnins is still evolving and spreading throughout the world to countries far from its original homeland. Its geographical and occupational diversity only serves to increase as more and more people identify with the name.
Variations of the surname Kalnins
The surname Kalnins is a Latvian surname with variants spelling such as Kalninš, Kalnina, Kalniņš, Kalno, Kalniņ, Kalnina, Kalniņš, Kalniņa, and Kalniņas.
Kalnins is a patronymic surname derived from the Latvian personal name 'Kalnis' which means 'rock, chunk of rock'. Kalnins and its variants are derived from the Latvian word 'Kalns' which means 'mountain'. The surname would have originally been given to someone living near or in a mountainous region.
The surname Kalnins likely first appeared in Latvia sometime during the 12th or 13th centuries. Many members of the Kalnins family were able to emigrate to other countries like Germany, the United States, and Canada.
Variations of the Kalnins surname also include Van Kalnins, Kalna, Kalnin, Kalno and Kalnaina. This may signify a separation in the Kalnins family history from the medieval period to the present day.
Likewise, members of the Kalnins family have established a presence in Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Slovenia, and Estonia, as well as in Latvia.
In conclusion, the Latvian surname Kalnins has a variety of spellings and surnames derived from the same origin. Variations of this name include Kalninš, Kalnina, Kalniņš, Kalno, Kalniņ, Kalnina, Kalniņš, Kalniņa, Kalniņas, Van Kalnins, Kalna, Kalnin, Kalno, and Kalnaina. These variants signify a change in the Kalnins family's history from the medieval period to the modern day.
Famous people with the name Kalnins
- Heinrihs Kalnins: Latvian chess Grandmaster
- Janis Kalnins: Former Prime Minister of Latvia
- Māris Kalniņš: Latvian ice hockey player
- Jānis Kalniņš: Latvian hockey player
- Uldis Kalniņš: Former President of Latvia
- Kārlis Kalniņš: Latvian composer
- Ivars Kalniņš: Latvian composer and pianist
- Sanita Kalnina: Latvian actress
- Jānis Kalniņš: American politician
- Modris Kalniņš: Latvian politician
- Raivis Kalniņš: Latvian musician
- Vilis Kalniņš: Latvian rower
- Gints Kalniņš: Latvian ice hockey player
- Raimonds Kalniņš, Latvian chess Grandmaster
- Andris Kalniņš: Latvian volleyball player
- Oyars Kalnins: Soviet physicist
- Valdis Kalniņš: Latvian wrestler
- Ojārs Kalniņš: Latvian poet and playwright
- Viesturs Kalniņš: Latvian boxer
- Juris Kalniņš: Latvian basketball player