Surname Koball - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Koball: What does the surname Koball mean?
The surname Koball is of German origin. It is derived from a diminutive form of a given name with Germanic roots, “koh” and “ball.” This may have been a nickname for someone who lived near a round hill or a ball-shaped object, such as a windmill. It can also be derived from the Middle High German word “kobold,” which means a mischievous elf-like creature.
The early forms of this surname can be found as “Kobolt” or “Kobullz.” This was during the late medieval period when surnames first began to be recorded in written documents. There are a number of record books from this time which list families using these surnames, mostly from the Silesia region of present-day Poland.
The Koball surname was found in various parts of Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries, including Germany, Poland, Austria, and Hungary. Over time, the spelling of the surname changed as it spread further. This could include variations such as Kubal, Kobbold, Kobal, Kobalc, Kobalek, Kobalz, Kobald, Kobalik, and Kobalos.
This surname has become quite rare today, but those who still carry it can trace their heritage back to those early days, when the first recorded uses of the surname Koball were documented.
Order DNA origin analysisKoball: Where does the name Koball come from?
The surname Koball is most common today in parts of Germany and Austria, especially in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria in Germany and Upper Austria in Austria. The highest concentration of people with the surname Koball is in Northern Baden-Württemberg and along the foot of the Alps, where it is most common in the city of Ulm in Germany. It is also present in some parts of Switzerland, particularly in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden.
The surname derives from the Kobellin noble family, which was introduced by the Bavarian Duke Eberhard when he established a new noble house in 1515. The family origins extend to what is now called the Czech Republic, where the family were known as h Wilson and originated from the Wiselow Castle in northern Bohemia. Over the centuries, the original Kobellin family went on to produce a number of well-known and influential people, including Johann Christian Kobellin, the founder of the Bavarian style of martial arts.
Today, the Koball surname is still widely spread throughout central Europe, particularly in Lower Bavaria and southern Austria. It is also common in other parts of Germany, such as in Lower Saxony and Thuringia, as well as in parts of Switzerland and the Czech Republic. However, it is not a common surname in North America, with only a few people having the surname in the United States of America, Canada, and the Caribbean Islands.
Variations of the surname Koball
The surname Koball is of German origin and has several different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Common variants of the surname include Kaball, Kaballer, Kavell, Kobal, Koballe, Koballes, Kovell, Kobb, Kobbler, Kobel, Cobele, Cobel, Cobelt, Coble, Cobeler, and Cobler.
The Germanic form of the surname is Kabell, which is derived from the German kabell, meaning “a hook” or “a knot”. The name may indicate an occupational origin, referring to someone who made nails or hardware, a smith, or a locksmith. It may also have been adopted as a nickname for someone with curly hair.
Variations of the spelling of the surname originated mostly due to incorrect translations and transcriptions over time. For example, the spelling “Kobel” could be the result of an incorrect absorption of a northern dialect pronunciation of “Kabell.” The spelling “Cobel” derives from the spelling “Kobel” but has an incorrect pronunciation.
The surname may also have derived from a placename. It has been found as a surname in towns such as Mecklenberg, Brandenburg, and Württemberg, as either Koball or Kaball.
Common surnames of the same origin include Coble, Cobal, Cobeler, Coblentz, Kobel, Coballe, Kobal, Koballe, Cobble, Koballa, Koval, and Kavell. These are all surnames commonly found in German-American populations.
Famous people with the name Koball
- Mike Kobal: art photographer
- Dick Kobal: American actor
- Kelly Kobal: American gymnast
- Steve Kobal: Austrian voice actor
- Stuart Kobal: American composer and writer
- Mike Koball: American football player
- Helmut Kobal: Austrian artist
- Reed Kobal: American artist
- Matt Kobal: American singer/songwriter
- Ron Kobal: American filmmaker