Surname Kehlmeier - Meaning and Origin
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Kehlmeier: What does the surname Kehlmeier mean?
The last name Kehlmeier is derived from Germanic roots and can translate to mean either "little keel" or the place name “Kehlheim”. A “keel” is a wooden beam running along the length of a boat’s hull, offering structural support and balance. Kehlheim is a city located in Bavaria, Germany.
The surname is shared by a number of different families, mainly located in Germany and Austria. It is likely that in past generations, all of these families had a shared ancestor or a common myth of origin. It is likely that the ancestors of Kehlmeier families settled in these areas of Europe centuries ago and adapted their surname to an existing place name or adopted the surname from a boat builder’s guild, taking the name literally from the keel structure of shipbuilding.
Whether they are related through the wood and shipbuilding trade or by their heritage as members of the same German-speaking community, the Kehlmeier families have come down from German-speaking Europe and spread across the world in the modern age. Their stories and heritage are an important part of the shared history of German-speaking peoples around the world.
Today, the Kehlmeier family name continues to bring these families together, some descended from the same ancestors, and others simply sharing a name. It is an enduring symbol of where these families come from, the shared tasks and pride of boatbuilders, and the enduring ties that bind them as part of a greater German-speaking community.
Order DNA origin analysisKehlmeier: Where does the name Kehlmeier come from?
The last name Kehlmeier is most common in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. It is a relatively rare name outside of these countries.
The surname Kehlmeier is of German origin, and derives from the residence of a person who was a kellner, or steward of some kind, from the Middle High German word kelen, which means to serve. It could possibly also originate from a place name with the same element.
In Germany, the name is most commonly found in the south-western region of the country, especially in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and the Palatinate. The name is even more common in Austria, and is also found in some eastern regions of Switzerland.
The United States is a much less likely place to find this surname. However, records show that some Kehlmeier immigrants arrived there during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily from Austria. It is not yet known how many people with this name actually settled in the United States, although it is thought to be low in comparison to Germany and Austria.
In conclusion, the last name Kehlmeier is most common in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. It is possible to find the name in the United States, however, the presence of the name is likely much smaller than in its origin countries.
Variations of the surname Kehlmeier
The surname Kehlmeier is derived from Middle High German words kehil and meier, both meaning "mayor". This surname was first found in the region of Germany known as Swabia. Variants of the surname include Kahlmeier, Kallmeier, Keelmeier, Koehlmeier, Koelmeier, and Colemeier. Variant spellings are Kahlmeir, Kallmeir, Kahlemeir, Koehlmeir, Koehlermeier, and Koelemeier.
Surnames derived from the same origin are Kahl, Kehl, Kell, Kiel, Kohel, Köhl, Kohl, Köessl, Köhler, Kössl, Kössler, and Köster. The various spellings of this surname come from a variety of regional dialects, which can vary widely even within the same country.
In some cases, the name has become corrupted over time, leading to modern surnames that may not look related to Kehlmeier at first glance. These include Maley, Mally, Maly, Malley, Mailer, Meiler, Mellon, Meuler, and Mullen.
The surname Kehlmeier has also experienced many changes in spelling and pronunciation over time, particularly as different languages and cultures have adopted the name. Köhl, Koehl, and Kössler are all examples of the German spelling, while Polish variants include Kahlu and Kahl. Likewise, French speakers may spell the name as Cahil, Keil, or Kohl, and Dutch speakers may spell it Cael or Kael.
No matter how the surname is spelled, it is thought to have originated from the German region of Swabia and is still widely seen in German-speaking countries.
Famous people with the name Kehlmeier
- Alexander Kehlmeier: Austrian artist and journalist
- Regine Kehlmeier: German actress
- Timo Kehlmeier: German pianist and composer
- Jürgen Kehlmeier: German entrepreneur and philanthropist
- Olly Kehlmeier: German social media celebrity
- Christian Kehlmeier: Austrian ski racer
- Maximilian Kehlmeier: German photographer
- Dirk Kehlmeier: German former motorcycle speedway racer
- Bernd Kehlmeier: German meteorologist
- Anton Kehlmeier: Austrian para-archer