Surname Kohlhaase - Meaning and Origin

Kohlhaase: What does the surname Kohlhaase mean?

The last name Kohlhaase is an old German name, and translates literally as “coals house.” This suggests that Kohlhaase may have originated from a person who worked in the coal trade, or owned a business connected to it.

The name likely originated in North and Central Germany in the Middle Ages, when the use of coal for heating and cooking first became widespread. As the usage of coal increased, so did businesses catering to the coal trade, and many families likely adopted the name Kohlhaase as a result.

The name is relatively rare today, but its usage does span nearly all of Germany. German emigrants brought the name to the US, as well as to other countries around the world, and people with the Kohlhaase name can be found on every continent.

Most commonly, the meaning of the name Kohlhaase is associated with the coal trade. But as with any name, the meaning of Kohlhaase may also depend on geography, history, and the individual connected to it. For those with the name Kohlhaase, the history of their surname can be a source of both pride and understanding.

Kohlhaase: Where does the name Kohlhaase come from?

The last name Kohlhaase is most common today in Germany, although there are a few variations of the spelling (e.g. Kohlhase, Köhlhaase). There are also people with the name in Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

This surname likely originated in Germany during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the German words kohl (“coal”) and haus (“house”) and likely referred to someone who had some connection to the coal-mining industry. Interestingly, Kohlhaase was the surname of German poet Karl Theodor Körner, who is known for his patriotic poems that encouraged citizens to support the Napoleonic Wars.

In the early 1800s, some German immigrants with the last name Kohlhaase came to the United States, settling in states such as Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, and California. Some German-speaking settlers also took the name to Canada - specifically Manitoba and Quebec.

Today, many people with the last name Kohlhaase are still living in Germany, some of whom are likely related to the original people who adopted the name centuries ago. It has also been widely dispersed by former German immigrants which means that there are now a few pockets of Kohlhaases around the world.

Variations of the surname Kohlhaase

The surname Kohlhaase is of German origin and is most commonly found among families living in Germany, Poland and Czech Republic. It is sometimes also spelled as Köhlhaase, Köhlhase, or Kohlhase.

Kohlhaase is a toponymic surname meaning “cottager” or “cottar” and refers to someone from one of the many villages that have the word “haas” (cottager or cottar) attached in their name. This name is also spelled as Kohlhaus, Kohlhauer, Kohlhecker or Kohlhepp.

The literal meaning of this surname is “coal house” since the original form referred to someone who lived in a house near a coal mine or used charcoal as part of their occupation. Variations of this name include Koehlhaase, Koehlhaus, Koehlhauer, Koehlhecker and Koehlhepp.

The surnames Kohlhauer, Kohlhecker and Kohlhepp are derived from the original Kohlhaase. The spelling Kohlhauer stems from the Middle and Old High German word “hūwar," which means “farmer.” Meanwhile, Kohlhecker and Kohlheppet are derived from the verb “hegen,” meaning “to protect or guard something.”

The name is also found among several ethnic groups in other parts of the world, including Sweden, Ireland and the United States.

Overall, Kohlhaase is a very common surname, and it has several variations in spelling, as well as associated name variants, that can be traced back to its Germanic origin.

Famous people with the name Kohlhaase

• John Kohlhaase: Former professional football player for the Baltimore Ravens.
• Ken Kohlhaase: Actor, most known for playing Martin the Bartender in the Oscar-winning movie, The Social Network.
• Wilhelm Kohlhaase: German-American Lutheran theologian and Professor at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis from 1905 to 1931.
• Christian Kohlhaase: German film director and screenwriter, known for his work in the miniseries Heimat 3.
• Steve Kohlhaas: American professional basketball player formerly part of the NBA G League.
• Denny Kohlhaas: American football player and former Kent State University quarterback and wide receiver.
• Hans-Joachim Kohlhaase: East German actor and screenwriter.
• Hans-Ulrich Kohlhaas: Former German Defense Ministry official.
• Manfred Kohlhaase: German politician and former Member of Parliament for the Social Democratic Party of Germany.
• Wolfgang Kohlhaase: German screenwriter and film director, best known for films such as Alone in Berlin and What to Do in Case of Fire.

Other surnames

Kohlhaas