Surname Köhl - Meaning and Origin
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From Code to Connection: Unraveling my Köhl Lineage through iGENEA
iGENEA helped to crystalize my understanding of my heritage and the rich lineage associated with my surname, Köhl. The DNA test not only defined my genetic roots but also facilitated an emotional journey of self-discovery, providing me a sense of interconnection with people, stories, and events spanning centuries and continents.
Q. Köhl
read moreKöhl: What does the surname Köhl mean?
The last name Köhl is a German name, derived from the Northern German dialect term 'kohl'. This term was used to describe someone with dark or black hair. The last name is most common in the regions of lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, and Hamburg, all former parts of the medieval Holy Roman Empire.
In other parts of Germany, the surname is found less often but may also have its origins in the Germanic personal name "Kol" meaning "bold, brave". In English, the meaning of the surname is the same as in German: dark or black hair. The surname was also derived from occupations related to coal, charcoal, and blacksmithing.
In families with the last name Köhl, the bearer may be a descendent of a person with a blacksmithing occupation, or simply one with very dark or black hair. Over centuries, such distinctly physical traits as dark or black hair, as well as surnames, have been used as a way to connect individuals to their ancestors and their heritage.
Other variations exist of the last name Köhl, such as Kohl, Koehl, and Kohle, all of which are associated with the meanings of dark or black hair or an occupation related to blacksmithing.
Order DNA origin analysisKöhl: Where does the name Köhl come from?
The last name Köhl is commonly found in parts of Germany such as Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Thuringia. It is typically an occupational name, which means that it was adopted by people who were employed in a particular trade or industry. It is assumed to be derived from the Middle High German word kuhle, which means ‘dipper’. In the feudal era, these individuals who held this title could easily travel between Germany and other European countries.
Aside from Germany, Köhl is also commonly found in Austria, the Netherlands, and parts of Switzerland, and sometimes Belgian as well. It is believed that other countries like the U.S., Canada, and Brazil amongst other countries likely have people with the last name Köhl living amongst them today, as many people have emigrated from Germany at various times throughout history. People of German origin are quite spread out, so it’s not uncommon to find people with Köhl as a last name around the world.
Today, the surname Köhl is relatively commonplace in German-speaking countries, and it doesn’t seem to be decreasing in numbers. Although it can’t be definitively traced, most believe that the name originated from a specific area, now known as Germany. As such, it was likely spread across the country as a result of migration.
Variations of the surname Köhl
The surname Köhl is of German or Jewish origin. It is derived from the Middle High German name Köhle meaning "coal, charcoal", and could also have been used as a metonymic occupational name for someone who tended a charcoal kiln or was a charcoal burner.
Variants of the surname Köhl include Kohl, Köhle, Koehl, Koehle, Koehlen, Kohlen, Cohl, Cohle, Cohlen, Kahl, Kaehl, Kaehle and Kahelen. In Jewish genealogy, the name is usually spelled Köhl or Kohl.
Spellings of Köhl include Koehl, Koehle, Kael, Kahle, Kahl, and Kohle. In the United States, the Kohl spelling has remained the most common.
Surnames of the same origin as Köhl include Kohlhase, Kohlow, Köhling, Kohls, Kohlmann, Köhler, Köhlermeister, Köhlingen, Kohlmeyer, Kohlsdorf, Cohlmeister, Kahlmann, Kahlmeyer and Kaehlers.
Famous people with the name Köhl
- Paris Köhl: is a professional soccer player from Germany, currently playing for SV Waldhof Mannheim in the Regionalliga Südwest.
- Jann Köhl: is a German visual artist who is best known for her surrealist paintings, sculptures and art installations.
- Heinz Köhl: was a German satirist and former headwriter for the German version of Saturday Night Live.
- Dorothea Köhl: is a German investigative journalist and best-selling author. She is best known for her work on uncovering various political scandals.
- Karl Köhl: was a German mathematician who worked mainly in the fields of algebra and analysis. He is best remembered for his contributions to the theory of linear equations.
- Uwe Köhl: is a retired German footballer who made 250 appearances in the Bundesliga and played for both German and international clubs.
- Frank Köhl: is a German sculptor whose works explore themes of displacement, alienation, and the individual's struggle for identity in a changing world.
- Christian Köhl: is a German entrepreneur and the founder of Bureau BauArt, an architectural and planning firm known for its contemporary designs.
- Günter Köhl: is a German Olympic rower who won a gold medal in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome and a silver in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
- Johannes Köhl: is a Swiss theologian, philosopher, and activist whose work focuses on issues of justice, ecology, and global poverty.