Surname Kozel - Meaning and Origin

Kozel: What does the surname Kozel mean?

The last name Kozel is of Slavic origin and has several potential meanings. It's thought to be derived from the Czech word “kozel,” meaning “goat,” which may perhaps refer to the place where the Kozel family originally lived and farmed. Alternatively, the name may be derived from "kosel," a Czech word meaning "horse thief," which could also be a nickname for a thief or a horse trader.

The Kozel surname is primarily found in countries of Central and Eastern Europe, including Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, and Hungary. It is believed to have descended from the Bohemian family Kosela, found in the 13th century. In some cases, the names Kosela and Kozel are used interchangeably.

The name Kozel is also used as a given name, especially in Poland, and is sometimes spelled “Kazimierz,” the Polish form of the name. In some cases, it may also be used as a surname to emphasize an individual’s ancestry or background.

In some cases, the Kozel name can indicate religious or social affiliation. For example, the surname “Kozelczyck” is derived from “Kozel,” as well as the Polish word “czyz,” which means “servant” or “servant of God.” This could indicate a family that was either religiously devoted or devoted to God in some fashion.

Overall, the surname Kozel has a range of possible meanings and possible origins. This family name is believed to have originated in Central or Eastern Europe, but its exact meaning is still shrouded in mystery.

Kozel: Where does the name Kozel come from?

The last name Kozel is most common in the Czech Republic and surrounding regions. It is a fairly well-known name, and its origin is thought to come from the region of Kraiń, which is now part of Poland. The name may be of German or Slavic origin, and it is an old name from the region.

The most common spelling for the name Kozel is ‘Kozel’, although it is also sometimes written as ‘Kožel’, which is the same pronunciation but with an alternate spelling.

In the United States Census of 2020, Kozel was ranked 23,743 out of all surnames. It is most commonly found in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York with some other isolated populations in other states. It has been noted that the ancestor of the Kozel family in these regions may have been German as many German immigrants populated the northeast in the early 19th century.

In Europe, the surname Kozel is most commonly found in the Czech Republic, where it was originally found. It is also present in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, and Romania.

With the rise of genetic genealogy, it has become easier to trace the history of this surname. DNA testing has shown that Kozel has a shared origin with other Slavic and Germanic surnames from the same region. Consequently, it is not uncommon to find people from all across Europe with the same surname.

Variations of the surname Kozel

Kozel is an ancient Slavic surname and its variants, spelling, and surnames of the same origin include Kozelek, Kozlik, Kozelok, Kozak, Kozlov, Kozlovsky, and Kozlowski.

Kozel is derived from the Middle East and appeared in Eastern Europe as a translation of its Arabic root "Kezil". During the period of Polonization, an influx of foreign immigrants from the Middle East led to the prevalence of this surname among Polish communities. Although the original root of this surname is believed to be Middle Eastern, the contemporary Polish version of the surname has taken a distinct form due to the Slavic influences in the region.

Kozel is related to several other Slavic surnames with a similar root. Kozelek and Kozlik are derived directly from the surname Kozel, while Kozolok is believed to have stemmed from a diminutive form of the surname. Other related surnames include Kozak, meaning 'Cossack' or 'fierce warrior', as well as Kozlov, meaning 'bugle'; Kozlovsky, meaning 'of Kozlov'; and Kozlowski, meaning 'son of Kozlov'.

Each of these variants of the surname Kozel are believed to have been used in Eastern Europe, particularly in Poland, since the 1300s. Over the centuries, these surnames have been adopted and adapted by many different communities, with contemporary spellings likely to vary depending on their origin.

Famous people with the name Kozel

• Vic Kozel: American acupuncturist, author, entrepreneur, and public speaker.
• Shallina Kozel: Miss Iowa in 2002 and a top 10 finalist in the Miss America pageant.
• Meggan Kozel: former Miss Missouri USA 2005.
• Tom Kozel: former American football player.
• Shira Kozel: Israeli businesswoman and CEO of LIVESTRONG Academy.
• Bill Kozel: professional golfer.
• Liliana Kozel: Argentine model.
• Nick Kozel: retired Austrian footballer.
• Hilda Kozel: German actress.
• Milka Kozel: Croatian journalist.
• Cynthia Kozel: Lebanese-American figurative artist.
• Anka Kozel: Hungarian Paralympic alpine skier.
• Laura Kozel: Czech snowboarder.
• Ebby Kozel: former Canadian Football League player.
• Corri (+London) Kozel: American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and composer.
• Anna Kozel: Ukrainian politician.
• Bjorn Kozel: Austrian skiing champion.
• Nastia Kozel: Russian journalist and TV anchor.
• Anastasia Kozel: Russian actress and philanthropist.
• Ekaterina Kozel: Russian rhythms gymnast.

Other surnames

KozelekKozelka