Surname Koscholl - Meaning and Origin
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Koscholl: What does the surname Koscholl mean?
The last name Koscholl is of German origin, derived from the word "Kosel", which is an old German word referring to an area near a hill. It is thought to have first been used as a name for a person who lived in or near such an area.
The name Koscholl is a toponymic surname, which means it is derived from the name of a location or geographical feature. The place of origin of this name is thought to be either the village of Kosel in Germany, or Koensel in Belgium.
Most people with the last name Koscholl are of German or Dutch ancestry, however, it is possible that the name could have originated from other parts of Europe as well.
The meaning of the name Koscholl is believed to refer to the geographical area near a hill. It is a strong suggestion that those who had the last name were people from a small town who lived on the side of a hill, or someone who lived near a hill, perhaps to take advantage of a better climate or better views.
The Koscholl surname is not one of the most common last names, however, the number of people who trace their ancestry to this name is likely much higher than those who currently bear the name. Despite its uncommonality and small population, the last name Koscholl can still be found in various regions of Europe, indicative of its early origin.
Order DNA origin analysisKoscholl: Where does the name Koscholl come from?
The last name Koscholl is most commonly found in the German-speaking regions of Central and Eastern Europe. In Austria, it is the 97th most popular surname in the country. There are also large numbers of Koscholls living in Germany, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. It is also found in smaller numbers in other European countries, such as Croatia, Denmark, and Norway.
Koscholl can also be encountered in the United States. The family first appeared there in the late 19th century, most likely among German or Czech migrants. Today, the surname is found in every US state, but is predominantly concentrated in the Midwest. Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin are the states with the highest concentration of Koscholls.
Koscholls have also spread to other continents. In Canada, it is especially common in cities with large populations of Austrian, Czech, and German immigrants, such as Montreal and Toronto. Small numbers of Koscholls can also be found in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Although geographically dispersed, the members of this global family are all connected by the same surname. It is likely that, over time, the great majority of them are descended from the same ancestors who lived in Central and Eastern Europe during the Middle Ages.
Variations of the surname Koscholl
The surname Koscholl has three known variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant is Köscholl, which is the spelling used in northern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is derived from a German word meaning “market basket” and was likely initially used as an occupational name for someone who sold produce or merchandise in a market.
The second variant is Köszöll, which is the spelling used in Hungary. This name also derives from the same German word for “market basket,” but the extra Z in the spelling is a common alteration that occurs in Hungarian surnames.
The third variant is Kecskeméti, which is the spelling used in Hungary, Romania, Serbia, and Slovakia. This variant is derived from a word meaning “goat” and was likely used as an ethnic surname for people of Hungarian or Turkic descent.
Overall, the surname Koscholl likely originated as an occupational or ethnic name in German-speaking countries and has since spread to other parts of Europe through migration and intermarriage. The three variants of the surname—Köscholl, Köszöll, and Kecskeméti—offer a unique glimpse into the diversity of surnames in Europe.
Famous people with the name Koscholl
- Herbert Koscholl: Herbert Koscholl is an Austrian alpine skier who competed in the 1936 Winter Olympics and 1950 World Championships. He won three medals at the championships, including silver at the giant slalom.
- Toni Koscholl: Toni Koscholl is an alpine skier from Austria who represented his country in the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. He finished 27th in the slalom event and did not qualify for the giant slalom.
- Susanne Koscholl: Susanne Koscholl is a former German Alpine skier who competed in the 1985 World Championships and 1988 Winter Olympics. Her best finish at the Championships was 12th in the slalom and 11th in the giant slalom at the Olympics.
- Elias Koscholl: Elias Koscholl is a German alpine skier who competed in the 1988 World Championship and 1992 Winter Olympics. He was 12th in the downhill in 1988, and finished in 30th place in the giant slalom in 1992.
- Franz-Josef Koscholl: Franz-Josef Koscholl was a German biathlete who competed in the 1984 and 1988 Winter Olympics. He participated in four events and his best result was 7th in the 15 kilometer individual in 1984.
- Joy Koscholl: Joy Koscholl is a German alpine skier who competed in the 2001 World Championships and 2002 Winter Olympics. Her best finish at the championships was 24th in the Super G and she finished in 17th place in the downhill at the Olympics.
- Nils Koscholl: Nils Koscholl is a German snowboarder who competed in the 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics. He won a gold medal in the Snowboard Parallel Giant Slalom in 2006.