Surname Keule - Meaning and Origin
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Keule: What does the surname Keule mean?
The last name Keule is a German name that likely has roots in the Middle High German word “keule.” This word means “club” or “mace,” and suggests that the original bearers of the name had some connection to wielding these weapons. It could be that they were soldiers, blacksmiths, or any other role that brought them into contact with these tools. Alternately, the name could come from an origin in a particular village or area known for its clubs or maces.
Other than this possible connection to the weapons, the name could also be an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German “keulen,” which means “to beat.” This could indicate that the original bearers of the name were fullers, who “took a hammer and beat cloth to smooth it,” or were engaged in some other labor-intensive pursuit that involved using tools to beat material together.
In any case, the name Keule is a proud legacy with an interesting and even mysterious past. The ancient tale and connotations of strength and toughness that it carries are sure to remain with the name and its descendants for many years to come.
Order DNA origin analysisKeule: Where does the name Keule come from?
The surname Keule is primarily found in Germany, where it is estimated to be held by over 1,300 people. It is most frequent in Bavaria, Bavaria, and has been found in the city of Munich, which is its most populous region. It is also held in considerable numbers in the states of Saxony, the Rhineland-Palatinate, and in the Thuringia region.
The name Keule can be traced back to the medieval family name 'de Kuhla', which translates literally to 'from the oak grove, wood'. It is believed to have come from Bavarian immigrants who settled in the area and began using it as a family name.
The name Keule is also believed to be of Jewish origin, where it may have started in the province of Krakow in modern-day Poland. It has been traced back to a family living in Krakow in the 18th century, who may have taken the name to Bavaria when they emigrated.
Today, the surname Keule is most common in Germany but can also be found in the United States and other countries which may be the result of people of German heritage who moved abroad. People with the name Keule are found in the UK, France, Canada, Australia, Israel, and other countries.
Variations of the surname Keule
The surname Keule is a Germanic surname, with its root deriving from the Old-High German words “ciohuwila” and “chuoila”. This surname has been in existence since the 12th century and is commonly found in England, Ireland, Germany and other parts of northern Europe.
Variants of the Keule surname include Kuile, Kuehle, Kule, Kyule, Kwele, Kehle and Kuehl. All these variants originate from the same source as the original surname.
In Ireland, the most common spelling of the Keule surname is Klee. This variant was probably adopted by Irish immigrants who settled in the United States and Canada in the 19th century.
When anglicized, the Keule surname can be spelt as Keel or Keele. In some cases, the original spelling of the surname may be preserved, such as in the case of “Kuehle” which is the original German spelling of the surname, “Kle” which is the alternate spelling of “Keule”, and “Kyule” which is the alternative spelling of “Keule”.
Surnames of the same origin include Kuehling, Kuehlman, Kuehler, Kuehnel, Kuehlinger, Kuempel, Keuler and Kuehlmeier.
Overall, the Keule surname has a rich and connected history. It is an old heritage which has been preserved in different languages by immigrants to various parts of the world, and this is reflected in its many variants and spellings.
Famous people with the name Keule
- Christian Keule, singer-songwriter from Germany
- Holger Keule, German Olympic bronze medalist in canoeing
- Doris Keule, German film actress
- Anatoly Keule, Belarusian singer
- Euguen Keule, German handballer
- Flemming Keule, Danish jazz saxophonist and composer
- Jimi Keule, German rock guitarist
- Tobias Keule, German entrepreneur
- Günter Keule, German journalist
- Martin Keule, German law professor