Surname Kuhlman - Meaning and Origin

Kuhlman: What does the surname Kuhlman mean?

The surname Kuhlman is of German origin and stems from the Middle High German word "kule," which means "mine." Therefore, it is commonly understood to have an occupational background, usually associated with mine workers or coal miners. The variation "man" at the end of the name suggests the profession, making the literal translation "man from the mine" or "mine worker". Contributions to the surname could have come from people living near mines or notable mining areas too. As is common with surnames, different spellings exist, such as Kuhlmann, Kuhleman, and others. Like many German surnames, Kuhlman migrated to other parts of the world, often retaining its spelling or adopting variations to fit different languages or dialects.

Kuhlman: Where does the name Kuhlman come from?

The last name Kuhlman is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland where it originated. It is thought to be of Germanic origin, perhaps stemming from kuhlen meaning "cool" or "of the coolness". In modern times, the last name Kuhlman can be found across the globe. In the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are almost 2,500 people with this last name, primarily dispersed throughout the Midwest (especially Minnesota). Kuhlman can also be found in the United Kingdom, Russia, Canada, Australia, Brazil, and many other countries.

Kuhlman is an unusual name and is not especially common. Worldwide, less than 20,000 people share this surname with the majority of people being located in Europe. This means that while the name is not especially popular, it is not incredibly rare either. For example, during the Social Security Administration's records from 1880 to 2018, there were an estimated 20,426 people in the United States that bore the last name Kuhlman.

Of course, the distribution of people with the last name Kuhlman could always change in the future. In some cases, the name may increase in popularity, while in other cases, it might become less popular. In the current climate, the last name Kuhlman is most common in the Germanic areas of Europe where it first started.

Variations of the surname Kuhlman

The surname Kuhlman is of German and Dutch origin and is derived from a German word meaning ‘cool’ or ‘cold’. It is found as a variant spelling in many areas, including Kuehlman in Germany. Common spellings of Kuhlman include Kuhlmann, Kuehlman, Kuehlmann, Kühlman, Kühlmann, Koolman, Koolmann, Coolman, and Coolmann. The surname is also known to be associated with numerous regional spellings. In certain areas, the surname Kuhlman has been integrated into surnames already existing in the area, such as Koolmez, Koolback, Koolman, and Koolnewy.

Due to the immigrations of European families, the name Kuhlman can be found in many other countries, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, and the United States. Variations of the surname include Koolman, Koolmans, Kuylman, Koolma, Koolmez, Koolbeck, Koolen, Kuyckelom, and Kuyck. The anglicized alternatives include Coolman, Coolmen, Coolmon, Coolmane, and Coolmans.

The wife of a Kuhlman could take either the same surname of her husband and double it, such as Kuhlmann-Kuhlman, or an alternate feminized version of the name such as Koolmeester and Koolman. The Dutch version of the surname is Koolman, which can be found as Koolmanse, Koolmeester, and Koolman. Other variants include Koeyhlman, Koyhlman, Kuehlman, and Kuehlmann.

In conclusion, the surname Kuhlman has many regional variations and spellings, which can be affiliated with German, Dutch, and other European countries. The most popular variants are Kuehlman and Koolman, along with the anglicised versions of Coolman and Coolmen. Feminized variants are also present for the surname, most commonly Koolmeester and Koolmanse.

Famous people with the name Kuhlman

• Bob Kuhlman: former professional American football player for the Detroit Lions in the 1950s.
• Becky Kuhlman: Olympic gold-medalist wrestler for Team USA in 2016.
• Mark E. Kuhlman: fighter pilot in the United States Air Force in Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
• Carl Kuhlman: NASA astronaut who flew the Space Shuttle Atlantis mission in 1989.
• David Kuhlman: award-winning country music artist and songwriter.
• Bruce Kuhlman: former college basketball coach who led the 1987-88 Ohio State Buckeyes to the Final Four.
• Harlan Kuhlman: influential jazz musician who performed with some of the greatest jazz players in the world.
• Bernd Kuhlman: German photographer and artist best known for his Polaroid photography.
• Leopold Kuhlman: Austrian nobleman who served as the governor of Tyrol in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Heinz Kuhlman: German-born oceanographer who conducted groundbreaking research on the Bering Sea during the 1940s and 1950s.

Other surnames

KuhlmannKuhlmey