Surname Kohlmeyer - Meaning and Origin
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Kohlmeyer: What does the surname Kohlmeyer mean?
Kohlmeyer is a German surname which is believed to be derived from the personal name of Conrad or Colmund. German surnames were typically derived from personal names, geographical locations, trades, or professions. Due to the large influx of German settlers to the United States during the 19th century many German surnames can now be found throughout the country and Canadians can trace their roots back to German immigrants as well.
A likely variation of the Kohlmeyer surname is the Dutch spelling of 'Koelmeyer', which translates as 'cool dog'. As silly as it may seem to have such an origin, many German surnames were derived from descriptive nicknames, and it is quite possible that this family earned this nickname for being exceptionally fortified or tough during a difficult trial or situation.
The surname Kohlmeyer is likely traceable to a location which bore either a castle, fort, or large manor. It is suggested that governors or vassals of the manor were the first to take on the surname Kohlmeyer and that over time this surname has evolved with different spellings and variations.
Kohlmeyer is now a proud family name which is shared by descendants of those original settlers who came to the United States and those who immigrated later to Canada and other nations with connections to German heritage. To this day, the Kohlmeyer name still resonates with proud German heritage, strength, and perseverance.
Order DNA origin analysisKohlmeyer: Where does the name Kohlmeyer come from?
The last name Kohlmeyer is most common today in the United States, primarily in the Midwest. Records suggest the original owners of the Kohlmeyer name originated from Germany, although many families have moved out of the country. According to the US Census in 2020, the top five states most associated with the Kohlmeyer name are Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, and Iowa, with Wisconsin holding the highest amount of Kohlmeyer households.
The Wisconsin municipality with the highest number of Kohlmeyer names is Appleton, with nearly 150 records, and the highest concentration of Kohlmeyer in the country is located within the north of Wisconsin. The highest concentration of the name outside of Wisconsin is found around the small town of Waterloo, Illinois, close to both the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.
Though concentrated primarily in the Midwest of the United States, other countries such as England, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and South Africa have residents with the Kohlmeyer last name. However, the prevalence of the name in these countries is much lower than the United States.
Variations of the surname Kohlmeyer
The surname Kohlmeyer can have many different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants are Kohlmyer, Kohlmayer, and Kohlmair. The spelling variants, which can include but are not limited to, Kohlmeye, Kohlmee, Kohlmeyr, Kohlmairr, and Kohlmairer, are very similar to the original spelling. Other surnames with the same origin include Kohlmeier, Köhlmeyer, Kölmeyer, Köhlmayer, Kohlmäger, Kohlmoir, Kölmayer, and Kolmayer.
In addition, the surname Kohlmeyer can have alternative surname spellings depending on the spelling or pronunciation in the country of origin. An example of this could be the Dutch variant Koolmeyer. Other examples of international variants include the German Köhler, the Estonian Kohlmeister, and the French Kohlmettre.
Regardless of the spelling or origin, all of the above variants, spellings, and surnames can be traced back to the same core surname. It is not uncommon for individuals in the same family to have multiple spellings of the same surname over time as spelling became more standardized. As such, the amount of surname variants can vary from family to family.
Famous people with the name Kohlmeyer
- John Koelmeyer, Australian actor.
- Mary Koelmeyer, American civil rights activist.
- Charles Koelmeyer, All-American college football player.
- Margaret Koelmeyer, American politician.
- Mary Ann Koelmeyer, poet and New York Times bestselling author.
- Henry Koelmeyer, Civil War veteran and Medal of Honor recipient.
- David Koelmeyer, Grammy Award winning composer and conductor.
- Joe Koelmeyer, NASCAR driver.
- Barry Koelmeyer, American professional football player.
- Betty Ann Koelmeyer, founder of the Cook County Bar Foundation.