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Greetings from the Academy of Saint Gabriel!
You asked whether <Kontzel> would be an acceptable spelling variation of the 15th century German name <Contzel>, and whether <Kontzel> is an appropriate 16th century name as well.
<Contzel> in its various forms is usually a diminutive of <Konrad>. However, it was also used as a diminutive of the feminine name <Kunigunde>, and the preponderance of masculine examples may just reflect the usual preponderance of men's names in medieval records.
In the region near Arnsburg, during the first half of the 14th century the names are often spelled <Cunegundis> and <Cunzele>; for the second half, <Kunegunde>, <Kunzele> and <Kutzel>. In the 15th century the names are spelled <Kungund> and <Contzel>. (1) Unfortunately, we do not have examples of these names from other regions of Germany, so we cannot say with certainty if these spellings were true elsewhere.
We believe that <Contzel>, <Kontzel> or <Kuntzel> would be a completely unremarkable 15th century form; however, we are less sure about the 16th century. We doubt that the form itself is problematic, but the name (in any form) appears to have been declining in popularity, and we don't know whether the more usually masculine diminutive would have continued to be used for it.
You also asked whether <Contzel> or <Kontzel> is taken from any other names or if there is a 'meaning' for the name.
The name is apparently a pet form of <Kunigunde>. Although pre-16th century given names do not generally have "meanings" in the modern sense, the etymological roots of <Kunigunde> are clear enough: the first element KUNNI- is connected with Gothic <kuni>, Old High German <kunni>, <chunni>, Old English <cynn>, 'family, race'. The modern English cognate is <kin>. (This element is not the same as the first element of <Konrad>, which is related to Old High German <kuoni> 'bold, brave' -- modern English <keen>.) The second element is connected with Old High German <gund>, 'battle'. (2) However, we should stress again that the meanings of these root words had no significance during this period. Names were just names, without meaning.
We hope that this letter has been helpful. If we can be of further service, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Talan Gwynek and Arval d'Espas Nord contributed to this letter.
In Service,
Giulietta da Venezia
Academy of St. Gabriel