Kiejna

From Namespedia - Names Meaning and Origins

Name: Kiejna

Gender: Unisex

Location: Europe

Language: Polish

Thematic: Unknown Thematic

Meaning: tough opponent, brave, tough guy

Comments: Surname Kiejna derives from German personal name KEIN adopted to Polish language by German settlers in Poland. Kein originates from the German word "gegen" means "opposite" that was often used as the base for personal names ie. Gegenhard etc From the personal name Kein originated many other similiar Polish surnames such as Kejna. Kejnowski, Kejno, Keyna, Kieyna, Kieyne.

Kleyna lived in the village Tylice in 1723s. Jakób and Henryk Keyna lived in the village Jarantowice (near city Wąbrzeźno) in 1750s. Szymon Kleina lived in the village Lubstrin in 1759s. Keyn lived in the village Łopatki (near city Grudziądz) in 1765s. Jan Klein born in the city Lubawa.

First recorded in Polish Church records approximately in 1770s in the northern central region of Poland called Kujawy Catholic Parish Raciazek/Slonsk at presnt Ciechocinek. At present in Poland there are approximately 50 -60 persons with the surname KIEJNA and aproximately 125 with the surname KEJNA. Compare with origin of other German names adopted to Polish: Klein changed klejn, Kleyna etc Hein changed to Hejna, Heyna, Hejno etc. All these names appear to be established in Northern Poland (starting from Zulawy Gdanskie-Danzig Werde in German upstraem Vistula river upto Ciechocinek/Nieszawa/Wloclawek in Kujawy region}When exactly these names were adapted to Polish is not yet esatblished but resaerch continue.