Surname Kielkopf - Meaning and Origin
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Kielkopf: What does the surname Kielkopf mean?
The last name Kielkopf is of German origin and derived from the northern German dialect term for a ploughman. It is believed to have been first used as a name during the Middle Ages and was used to identify someone who worked with a plough or plough horse.
The literal meaning of Kielkopf is "plough head" or "plough man". Analysis of the name suggests that it was a commonly used last name in Germany during the Middle Ages. It has seen limited usage over the centuries since, with some variations of the surname used in other European countries with German roots.
Kielkopf is now a rare name and can be found in parts of Germany, Austria, and the United States. Variations of the name in the United States include Kleinhope, Kilbocker, and Kielkoph.
During its origin, the Kielkopf last name was most likely a reflection of someone's profession, but today it has become an important part of many family's identity. Through hard work, perseverance, and dedication, families with the Kielkopf last name have established themselves as pillars of their community and have come to represent a symbol of strength, pride, and commitment.
Order DNA origin analysisKielkopf: Where does the name Kielkopf come from?
The last name Kielkopf is a Germanic surname that is mainly found in the states of Bavaria and northern Baden-Wurttemburg, Germany. It is a fairly uncommon name and is not distributed across a wide area.
The Kielkopf name is most likely derived from the Old High German word “kiala,” which means “nobleman.” This led to the last name Kielkopf, which roughly translates to “nobility top.”
In the United States, the Kielkopf claim is primarily limited to states surrounding the Great Lakes region, such as Michigan and Wisconsin where the name is found in its highest concentration. The Kielkopfs also have a strong presence in the Midwest, specifically in Illinois, Iowa and Indiana, as well as other smaller pockets across the country.
Having spread their wings across the ocean centuries ago, other branches of the Kielkopf family are now found in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and elsewhere.
The Kielkopfs are a strong, proud family with a deep-rooted German heritage that can be traced back to hundreds of years. Though not distributed over a wide area today and not particularly common in the United States or abroad, the Kielkopfs remain a proud family with a distinguished legacy of its own.
Variations of the surname Kielkopf
The surname Kielkopf is of German origin, derived from the root Kiel (meaning “ship”) and Kopf, (meaning “head”).
The most common variants and spellings of the name include Kielkopf, Kielkopfh, Kielkepf, Kielhopf, Kiehlkoph, and Kielhupf.
Surnames of similar origin include Kiezekopf, Keilhofer, Kielhofer, Kyllkopf, Keilhopf, Kiellkoph, Kyllkopt, Kiellhopf, Kyllhupf, and Kiehlkoph.
These surnames can also appear with several suffixes, including -er (Kielkerper, Kielhoper, and Kiehlkoper) or -hoffer (Kielhoffer, Kyllhoffer, and Kiehlhoffer).
Other related surnames include Kieler, Kiel, and Kiehl, which are all derived from the same root but have slightly different meanings, such as “ship builder” and “ship victory,” respectively.
Beyond Germany, spellings and variants of the surname can also be found in other parts of Europe, such as Switzerland (Keilkopf, Kiehlkoff, and Kyllkoffen) and Austria (Kylhopf, Kiehlhoffen, and Kiehluph). In addition, the name is found with various spelling variations in the United States, including Kielkopf, Kiehlfopf, and Kielkoff.
Famous people with the name Kielkopf
- Joe Kielkopf: a German-American soccer player and coach who won two NCAA Division I national championships with the University of Virginia's soccer team in 1989 and 1991.
- Robert Kielkopf: a German-born American scientist, best known for his research in hydrology and glaciology.
- Jean Paul Kielkopf: a German sculptor famous for his expressionist wood and stone sculptures.
- Fred Kielkopf: an American swimmer and water polo player who won silver medals in the freestyle events at the 1952 Helsinki Summer Olympics.
- Odin Kielkopf: a Danish musician who won a gold medal at the 1998 World Music Championships.
- Hans Kielkopf: a German writer, poet and playwright who was active in the early 20th century.
- Michael Kielkopf: a German-born American artist known for his abstract paintings and sculptures.
- Wayne Kielkopf: a Canadian philosopher who is noted for his writings on the ethics of business.
- Sybilla Kielkopf: an American operatic soprano and actress who appeared on Broadway in the early 1900s.
- Gentille Kielkopf: an American choreographer and dancer who was a principal dancer for the Martha Graham Dance Company during the 1960s.