Surname Kelsow - Meaning and Origin
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Kelsow: What does the surname Kelsow mean?
The surname Kelsow is of English origin and is found primarily in the United Kingdom. The name is a variant of the ancient English name Kellso, which means "spring". This is likely a reference to a natural spring or water source. It may also be derived from the Old English word "ceall" meaning "cell", possibly referring to a place of refuge.
Kelsow is most likely associated with specific geographic areas such as Cornwall or cities like London. While the surname is relatively rare, there are a few scattered mentions of families with the name Kelsow going back centuries. These families may have been named after either a specific locality or a notable individual who lived near a spring. The surname may also possibly be derived from the given name Kelsey, which is thought to be of Old English origin and associated with the town of Kelso in Scotland.
The meaning and history of the surname Kelsow will likely continue to remain somewhat opaque due to its rarity and obscurity. However, the name has a long and interesting history in the United Kingdom, likely derived from a specific location and possibly a notable individual. As such, the name Kelsow carries with it a legacy of both place and family, wherever it is found.
Order DNA origin analysisKelsow: Where does the name Kelsow come from?
The last name Kelsow is mostly found today in the United States and Canada. It is spead throughout these regions, but is most common in the Midwest. U.S. Census data from 2016 showed that the surname Kelsow was most common in Iowa, where 1.2 out of every 1,000 residents had the name. Illinois and Minnesota were also quite predominant, ranking second and third highest respectively.
The family name Kelsow is thought to have originated in Germany or Scandinavia, and is particularly found in the northern regions. In Germany, the Kelsow are most concentrated in the region of Hesse in the central part of the country. Additionally, the surname is found throughout centers in Europe including the Netherlands, Poland, Austria, and France.
The name "Kelsow" is derived from the Old Germanic "col" meaning "coal." This suggests that the original bearer of the name may have been someone who worked in the coal mining industry. Later, it likely became an occupational surname for the same line of labor.
Regardless of the origin, the Kelsow surname is widely dispersed throughout the United States and Canada today. It is also found in smaller numbers in European countries and other regions of the world.
Variations of the surname Kelsow
The surname Kelsow has a few variants, spellings, and surname combinations all of which originate from the same basic roots. The most common variant is Kelsow, but other variants could include Kelso, Kelser, Kelsor, and Kelsey. Since the surname Kelsow is so commonly found in England, Scotland, and Wales, there are quite a few similar sounding surnames including Kelsall, Kelsey, Kelsay, Kelcey, Kelsie, Kelsa, and Kelson.
In the United States, the combination name of Keller-Kelsow is quite common, and that could include spellings like Keyser, Kelsear or Kelser. Other surnames found in the United States that could be related to the surname Kelsow include Kell, Kellam, Kells, Kellog, Kelsay, Kelsey, Kellner, and Cella.
Kelsow is also found in different countries around the world, so those countries could have their own unique surnames coming from the same source. In Germany, for example, the names Keller and Kelster are very commonly found, while in Holland, Kelso and Kelsinger are equally popular. In Ireland, the surname Kelsner, Koltz, and Keltz are all found quite commonly, while in Poland you'd find Kelzer or Kelczewski.
All these variants, spellings, and surname combinations all trace back to the same original surname, so it's safe to say that Kelsow is the root of many different variations found all over the world.
Famous people with the name Kelsow
- Caleb Kelsow: American actor who has starred in over 8 films such as, The Dog Walker and Presidential Reunion.
- Anna Kelsow: Australian singer/songwriter known for her hit single “Heartache”.
- Paul Kelsow: Noted American music producer and sound engineer who has worked with a variety of high-profile artists.
- Sarah Kelsow: Two-time Olympic gold-medalist in gymnastics.
- Marc Kelsow: Veteran Major League Baseball player who has been with the Los Angeles Dodgers for over a decade.
- Jeff Kelsow: World renown architect and designer whose works of art are recognizable in cities around the globe.
- Mike Kelsow: Grammy-winning record executive and A&R for Def Jam Records.
- Brad Kelsow: Noted television producer and director for a variety of networks.
- Lisa Kelsow: Award-winning food stylist/photographer whose work and recipes have been seen in many publications.
- Danny Kelsow: Automotive designer known for his innovative styling and concepts.