Surname Kohler - Meaning and Origin

Exploring Ancestry Through iGENEA DNA Test: An Emotional Journey Into The Kohler Family History

Taking the iGENEA DNA test was an enlightening journey into my familial past, leaving a profound impact on my view of family and my surname. The Kohler name, replete with deep historical connections, has now taken on added significance in my life.

A. Kohler

Kohler: What does the surname Kohler mean?

Kohler is a German surname and its literal meaning is “Charcoal Burner.” It is an occupational name given to individuals who manufactured charcoal in the Middle Ages, a very important task back then. This name comes from the Middle High German word 'kol,' meaning 'charcoal,' combined with the suffix-er, implying 'a person who works with.' With industrial development and changes in manufacturing, the need for charcoal burners dwindled and the name became a surname rather than a descriptor of the person’s job. Like many surnames, the spelling can vary and include Köhler as well. Despite its German origin, it can be found in many different countries today.

Kohler: Where does the name Kohler come from?

The surname Kohler is of German origin. It is an occupational name for a charcoal burner or a coal miner, deriving from the Middle High German word "kolner", from "kol", meaning char or coal. Families with this surname can be traced back to early medieval times in several regions of Germany.

Today, this surname is most common in Germany. However, due to historical emigration patterns of German people, this last name can also be commonly found in the United States, especially in states with a high population of people of German heritage such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Ohio. Additionally, this surname is also somewhat common in parts of Switzerland and France that border Germany, as well as in other countries with a significant population of German descent, such as Canada and Argentina.

Variations of the surname Kohler

The surname Kohler has its origins from the early medieval Germanic personal name, "Kol". It is also an occupational name for a charcoal burner or a person who prepared charcoal. When looking at various spelling variants or surnames of similar origin, we find Koller, Kohl, Kohler, Koehler, Kohlmann, Kohlhepp, and Kolle. There are also regional variants such as Kolar, present in countries such as Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The migration and subsequent anglicization of the name, predominantly in America, led to even more variants such as Coler and Coaler. Immigrants from Germany and Austria often changed their last names to more "American" sounding ones to fit in better, leading to variants such as Cole. The alternate spelling, Koehler, is also common in the United States. However, not all Kohler variants use the same base; for instance, the French version of the name is usually spelled Coulon. As with other surnames, the various spellings and variants have developed over time due to regional dialects, phonetics, and cultural influences. It's also essential to consider that clerical errors or voluntary changes would have contributed to this variation.

Famous people with the name Kohler

• Herbert Kohler Jr.: Business tycoon and chairman of the American manufacturing company, Kohler Co.
• Walter J. Kohler Sr., Walter J. Kohler Jr.: Former Governors of Wisconsin, both belonging to the Kohler family of industrialists.
• Andreas Kohler: Former German footballer.
• Benedikt Kohler: German entrepreneur and a leading figure in social media marketing.
• Ludwig Kohler: Renowned German biblical scholar.
• Karl Köhler: German doctor who made significant contributions to dermatology.
• Erwin Köhler: Famous Spanish child actor known for vital roles in classic Spanish cinema.
• Renate Köhler: German film actress known for her roles in 1930's-1940's German Cinema.
• Hans Kohler: Swiss conductor most recognized for his contributions to the Zurich Symphony Orchestra.
• Stephan Kohler: CEO of the German Energy Agency.
• Philippe Kohler: Swiss rower, an Olympian famous for his achievement in men's coxless four.
• Thomas Kohler: German luger who was very successful in Olympic Luge competitions during the 1960s and 1970s.
• Sarah Kohler: German swimmer who has competed in multiple Olympic games.
• Ernst Julius Köhler: German composer and organist.
• Christian Matthias Theodor Kohler: German physician and pathologist.
• Joseph Kohler: German jurist known for his contribution to legal science.

Other surnames

KohleKöhleKohlenKöhlenKohlenbergKohlenbrennerKöhlersKöhlerschmidtKohlertKöhlert