The surname Dunkel is thought to have originated from within the Rhineland, an ancient region of Germany. The earliest known member Georg Dunckel is mentioned in a written chronicle where it is stated that he lived in Köln around the year 1186. Through the study of various parish registry records we have found thousands of Dunkels dating back some 300 years.

Present day usage of the Dunkel surname can be found in Middle-Europe, Eastern Europe, the Baltic countries as well as the United States of America.

Given the wide diversity not only with the Countries but also within the different religious groups like the Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Mennonite faiths that the Dunkels can be found in, a question of origin has arisen as to their genetic roots and the connections of the various family lines. 

The goals of this Y-DNA project are not only to find answers to these questions but also to find links to similar sounding surnames such as Dunckel, Duenkel, Dunikel, Dunkil, Dunkl, Dunkley, Dunkle, Tugel, Tungel, etc. If you feel that you might fit within the scope of this project please join us.

Kindly,

Georg Dunkel