Surname Koling - Meaning and Origin
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Koling: What does the surname Koling mean?
The last name Koling is a Germanic name, believed to have originated from the Middle Low German verb “kolen” which meant “to choose”. The name is commonly found in both the Netherlands and Germany and is also believed to have spread to areas of France, Austria, Sweden and Eastern Europe.
The literal translations for the surname Koling vary from the widely accepted “chosen one” to “divine selection” and “selected for a task”. The name is believed to indicate that the original bearer of this family name was selected or able to distinguish himself from a group.
Early bearers of the name Koling are generally found to have originated in the Dutch lowlands and were most likely involved in agriculture and farming; and were likely to have been peasants or farmers, indicating that the Koling family were able to distinguish themselves through hard work.
Today, the name Koling is still most prevalent in the regions it originated from, with most having some ancestral connection to the same family tree. Despite there being many now having roots in other countries, those bearing the name from modern times generally still refer to its ancient origin when speaking of it.
Order DNA origin analysisKoling: Where does the name Koling come from?
The last name Koling can be found today primarily throughout Europe, although some instances have also been recorded in the United States. Records indicate that the surname originated in the German region of what is now Bavaria, where it can still be found today. Within Germany, the surname is most commonly found in the state of Thuringia, located between Saxony and Bavaria. In Bavaria, the cities of Ingolstadt and Regensburg have seen the highest concentration of Koling families.
Koling is also common in Austria, primarily the towns of Braunau am Inn and Salzburg in Upper Austria, as well as the cities of Vienna and Graz. The name Koling is also found in many other European countries, such as Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, and France. In Switzerland the name is most commonly found in the Zurich area.
Outside of Europe, Koling families can also be found in the United States. The first documented Koling immigrant in America arrived in 1882 and his descendants are located primarily in the Midwest. In particular, the towns of Glasgow and Steeleville, in Illinois, are home to a number of Koling families. More recent arrivals include those who have moved from Europe to the United States in search of better economic opportunities or due to the political unrest in their home countries.
Overall, the surname Koling can be found today in a number of countries in Europe, as well as the United States.
Variations of the surname Koling
The surname Koling has a few different spelling variations, surnames and origins.
It primarily originates from German-speaking areas, particularly Belgium and Luxembourg. One common spelling variation is Köling, and this is likely derived from the Old High German name Köhling. This Old High German word is derived from the Latin that means ‘descendant of a craftsman’, so it is clear that the original Koling people were craftsmen.
The surname variants also include Koling, Köhling, Cohen, Kelling, Köning, Cöling, Kolling, Koehling, Cöhling, and Kohl. In Scotland, the earliest recorded spelling of the surname Koling dates back to 1649, and the various spellings of the name appeared at different times in the Low Countries, Germany and Scotland.
In addition, Koling is sometimes used as a surname derived from the Polish surname Kolinski, and also as a variant of the Jewish surname Kolinsky, which was common in Poland and Russia before World War II. Kolinsky is derived from the Polish word ‘koło’, meaning ‘a wheel’, which is a reference to a family who were wheelwrights.
Finally, there is a rare surname variant of Koling which was first recorded in Germany in the 17th century. This variant is found mainly in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and it is derived from the Gaelic name MacGilleoin, which means ‘son of Gilleoin’. This is a personal name that is derived from the Gaelic element ‘Gill’, meaning ‘servant’.
Overall, the surname Koling has a number of different spellings, variants and origins. Most of these variants are German in origin, although some are found in Poland and Russia, while others are found in Scotland and Northern Ireland, where they are derived from Scottish Gaelic.
Famous people with the name Koling
- Chris Koling, a former professional American Football Player.
- Marc Koling, a German music producer and songwriter.
- Blake Koling, prominently known music producer in Los Angeles.
- Bill Koling, a notable American Folk Artist.
- Carolyn Kolasa Koling, a retired former female professional tennis player from the USA.
- George Koling, a former NBA player who played in the league for 5 seasons.
- David Koling, a Canadian snowboarder known for his appearances in the Winter Olympics in 2014 and 2018.
- Hal Koling, an internationally known superyacht captain.
- Leslie Kolasa Koling, an American doctor and surgeon.
- Amos Koling, a French jockey who has won many prestigious horse racing awards.