Surname Kelso - Meaning and Origin
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Kelso: What does the surname Kelso mean?
The surname Kelso has Scottish origins and derives from the town of Kelso in the Scottish Borders. The name itself has a complex linguistic heritage. It comes from the combination of two Old English words – "cealc," which means "chalk or limestone," and "hoh" signifying "a heel of land". Thus, loosely translated, Kelso means "chalky land" or "the land of limestone." The surname was often given to individuals who hailed from the town of Kelso. Another theory suggests that Kelso might be derived from the phrase "Cala’s shiel" meaning "Cala’s house" in Old English, where 'shiel' translates to 'a shed or hut'. In this sense, it could symbolize a 'dwelling or settlement.' Over time and with generations, the name of the settlement transformed into the surname for the people living there. In a broader sense, the last name Kelso refers to geographical or topographical features of the land, indicating that its bearers had a strong connection with the natural landscape.
Order DNA origin analysisKelso: Where does the name Kelso come from?
The surname Kelso originates from Scotland; it was first found in Roxburghshire, a region in the Southern part of the country. The name is derived from the Brittonic word 'caleto,' which means 'hard,' and 's copa,' meaning 'ridge,' referring to a hard ridge of land. Therefore, the name likely referred to someone who lived near such geographical feature.
Migration has spread the Kelso surname to various parts of the world over the centuries. Nowadays, it's predominantly found in English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. In some of these countries, people bearing the Kelso surname can be traced back to Scottish immigrants.
In England, Kelsos are found in large numbers in regions like Cumberland, Durham, and Yorkshire. In the United States, states with substantial populations of Kelsos include California, Texas, Ohio, and Missouri. However, it’s important to note that while the name is spread across these regions, it's not necessarily common due to its relatively low frequency compared to other surnames.
Variations of the surname Kelso
Kelso is a Scottish surname, which originates from the town of Kelso in the Roxburghshire. The surname has various spellings originated from the same or similar root. The name first appeared as a Scottish Clan, with many Kelso family members migrating to North America and other parts of the world over time.
The variation of the surname Kelso often includes Kelsow, Kelsaw, Kelsae, Kelssow, Kelson, and much less commonly, Kelsaugh, Kelsaa, Keldso and Kelsough. Discrepancies in spelling often occurred due to a lack of standardization in spelling in historical texts.
It is believed the surname might have evolved from other surnames like Kelsey and Kelshaw.
The surname Kelso can also be discovered in compound versions in occasional instances, such as, Kelso-Smith, Smith-Kelso or hyphenated versions with other surnames.
Moreover, the surname can be found under the same spelling in a number of countries due to migration but it will still attribute its root to the Scottish origin. Different suffixes might be added to the surname Kelso, based on cultural and regional contexts, but the foundational surname remains the same.
Famous people with the name Kelso
- Tom Kelso: former MLB player for the Kansas City Royals from 1975-1986
- Keith Kelso: actor, best known for his role in the movie The Breakfast Club
- Gordon Kelso: jazz musician and composer
- Charles Kelso: Academy Award-winning film editor
- Jeff Kelso: professional American soccer player
- Nathan Kelso: former professional golfer
- Kieran Kelso: former professional ice hockey player
- Dick Kelso: former professional football player
- Liz Kelso: National Geographic Explorer and underwater explorer
- John Kelso: Australian silversmith and artist