Surname Keilhäuber - Meaning and Origin
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Keilhäuber: What does the surname Keilhäuber mean?
The surname Keilhäuber is an occupational surname meaning "keyhole maker" in German. It refers to someone whose occupation was making door keys, locks, and similar hardware. The name is likely to have been taken by the occupation of a blacksmith or joiner and may have originated from a region in the Middle Ages where such skills were more commonplace.
In English, the name is often translated as "Keymaker". There is no single English equivalent for the term "Keilhäuber," as it is specific to the German language. The English translation of the name is more accurately "keyhole maker."
Today, the surname Keilhäuber is still commonly found in Germany. It is believed to be of Bavarian origin and is most commonly seen among families living in the states of Bavaria, Hesse and Thuringia.
The Keilhäuber family coat of arms is a black shield with a silver keyhole in the center, two crossed silver keys beneath the keyhole, and a silver open-jawed wolf above the keyhole. This design symbolizes the family's history as skilled key makers.
The Keilhäuber surname is a reminder of a medieval craftsmanship, and of an ancient family of makers who brought unique and beautiful items to Bavarian homes. It is a proud name that stands the test of time and will be passed down through the generations.
Order DNA origin analysisKeilhäuber: Where does the name Keilhäuber come from?
The last name Keilhäuber can be found primarily in Germany and Austria today. In Germany, it is found mainly in the central and southern parts of the country, with a slight concentration in the western regions. In Austria, it is primarily located in the eastern direction, with some pockets scattered throughout the country.
In terms of ethnicity, most people with the last name Keilhäuber are of Germanic or Austrian descent. In the US, the name is comparatively rare; it appears in a few states, primarily among German-American immigrants.
In terms of estimated population, the NameShouts website notes that Keilhäuber is a less common surname with an estimated world population of approximately 5,700 people. It ranks 8,076th in terms of popularity for surnames. In Germany, its estimated prevalence is even lower, at 1,355 people.
Overall, the last name Keilhäuber remains rather uncommon compared to the vast majority of other European surnames. Within certain parts of Germany and Austria, however, it has become relatively more prevalent.
Variations of the surname Keilhäuber
The surname Keilhäuber is part of the German surname repertoire and can be seen as both a location based surname, as well as being occupational. The various variants, spellings, and related surnames of Keilhäuber are diverse, however they all share a common origin.
Keilhäuber is a patronymic surname meaning a son of Keil. It is derived from the German word ‘keil’ which translates to wedge. This surname is closely related to ‘Keilhörster’ which translates to ‘wedge-maker’ or ‘wedge-smith’ and could describe a person who makes wedges for woodworking and carpentry.
The most common spellings of this surname in Germany include Keilhäuber, Keilhöuber, and Kiehlhäuber. Variants are also found, such as Kehlehäuber, Kälhäuber, and Kalhaüber.
Similar surnames also include Keilhauer, Kehlauer, Kehlhauer, Kaylhauer, Kalhause, Kalhauser, Kahlhauser, Kalhaeusen, Kalehausen, Kalehause, Kalehause, Kalehousen, and Kalehäuser. This family of surnames all trace back to the original Keilhäuber surname.
The vast majority of Keilhäuber families now live in Germany, with a small number being found in other parts of Europe in countries such as Austria, Denmark, and the Netherlands. The spelling of the surname has varied significantly throughout the centuries, but today is more often seen as Keilhäuber.
Famous people with the name Keilhäuber
- Maximilian Keilhäuber (born 1986), German footballer
- Franz Keilhäuber (born 1993), German classical music composer
- Karl Heinrich Keilhäuber (born 1820), German entomologist
- Johann Nepomuk Keilhäuber (born 1812), Austrian landscape painter and engraver
- Andreas Wilhelm Keilhäuber (1840–1904), German entomologist
- Ferdinand Ludwig Keilhäuber (born 1825), German theologian
- Ludwig Keilhäuber (born c.1780), German glassmaker
- Heinrich Keilhäuber (born 1954), Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Görlitz
- Walter Keilhäuber (born 1944), German stage actor and voice actor
- Alfred Keilhäuber (1898–1966), German network film producer