Surname Keilholz - Meaning and Origin

Keilholz: What does the surname Keilholz mean?

The last name Keilholz is derived from the German words 'keil', meaning wedge, and 'holz', meaning wood. Together, the two words denote a craftsman or woodworker who specializes in crafting items from wedges or pieces of wood.

The first known use of the Keilholz name dates back to the middle ages in the Bavarian region of Germany, and was likely an occupational name for a woodcarver who specialized in carving intricate religious figurines and sculptures from wooden wedges.

In more recent history, Keilholz has become a popular surname throughout Germany, indicating the family may have originated from states like Bavaria, Saxony, or Thuringia.

In modern times, the surname Keilholz doesn't necessarily denote that someone is related to the original craftsman, but still carries the same connotations of skilled woodworking. A Keilholz family can have dozens of branches, each with a unique variety of professions and talents, but they all have the same name that repaid its roots to woodworking.

The surname Keilholz can also appear as Kehlholz or Kiehlholz, due to common variations of German surnames. A website dedicated to researching the Keilholz genealogy can be found at keilholzgenealogy.org.

Keilholz: Where does the name Keilholz come from?

The last name Keilholz is most commonly found in Germany, specifically in the south of the country. This is due to the similarity of the name to the German words for "cone" and "wood". The name is believed to derive from a time when it was used as a signifying name for a person who lived near a wooded area and cut timber there. It is also believed to have been adopted by some families as a variation of the German name Kellerholz, which means "memorial wood".

The name is also found throughout the United States in small numbers, but most concentration appears to be in California and Texas. Though it is likely that many of the Keilholz families living in the United States today are of German origin, this may not always be the case. It is possible that the name was adopted by other ethnic backgrounds after their arrival in the country.

Further research on surname distribution in Germany suggests it is also found in reasonable numbers in its neighboring countries, including Austria, Switzerland, Poland, and the Czech Republic. In fact, Keilholz is the 97th most common surname in Austria.

In conclusion, it is clear that the surname Keilholz is most widespread in Germany and throughout its neighboring countries, with lower levels of representation in the United States.

Variations of the surname Keilholz

The surname Keilholz has many variants and spellings associated with it. The most common variants are Kilholz, Keilholtz, and Killhals. There are variations in spelling between countries since Keilholz is a common German surname.

In North America, the surname Keilholz has often been Anglicized to Kelhals, Kilholz, or Killhals. In Europe, it has been spelled Keilholz, Kielholtz, and Kelhals.

In addition to these variations, the surname Keilholz has many associated surnames or variants, including Kaelholz, Kewelz, Gillhoffs, and Kilberg. Each of these names is a variation of the original Keilholz surname, and they each have their own spellings and variations according to the country where they are found.

Keilholz is derived from the Middle High German words keil and holz, which translate to mean wedge and wood, respectively. The surname was likely derived from a profession, such as a tree feller or woodsman, or a trade involving woodworking such as a carpenter.

In some cases, the surname Keilholz may also be linked to a geographic origin, such as a village with the same name, or a house in a settlement or town.

According to the 1990 US census, the surname Keilholz was the 1,396th most common name in the United States, making it a relatively rare surname. However, variants of the name were much more common, with Kilholz ranking 289th and Killhals coming in 206th.

Famous people with the name Keilholz

• Charles Keilholz: Film Producer.
• David Keilholz: Artist.
• George H. Keilholz: World War I veteran and medal recipient.
• Henning Keilholz: Professional soccer player.
• Jack Keilholz: Professional basketball player.
• Mariah Keilholz: Voice actress.
• Sarah Keilholz: Artist and YouTuber.
• Thomas Keilholz: Politician.
• Walt Keilholz: Aviator.
• Katie Keilholz: Singer and songwriter.
• Julian Keilholz: Actor.
• Dean Keilholz: High school basketball coach.
• Matthew Keilholz: Video editor and photographer.
• Arnold Keilholz: Author.
• Dianne Keilholz: Educator.
• [Eva Elin Keilholz: Humanitarian, Adventurer, and Mountaineer.
• Bill Keilholz: Musician.
• Reinhold Keilholz: Businessman.
• Susan Keilholz: International figure skater.
• Olive Keilholz: Marquette University's former 10th president.
• Richard Keilholz: Engineer.
• Steve Keilholz: Professional golfer.
• Cameron Keilholz: Professional MMA fighter.
• Gregory Keilholz: Professional car driver.
• Gary Keilholz: Olympic medalist.

Other surnames

KeilhoferKeilhoffKeilholtz