Surname Kohel - Meaning and Origin

Kohel: What does the surname Kohel mean?

The surname Kohel is of Jewish origin and is primarily found among Jewish families. As with many Jewish surnames, its interpretation may be linked to geographical areas, occupations, or a patronymic. However, the specific meaning of the surname Kohel is not clear. It's believed to have multiple origins or has evolved in its spelling and pronunciation. Kohel could be a variant of Kohen, which is a very common Jewish surname derived from the Hebrew word "Kohen," which means "priest". Kohanim were traditionally the priests in the Temple of Jerusalem. Kohel may therefore indicate ancestral links to the ancient priestly class among Jews. Either way, further genealogical research would be needed to decipher the exact lineage or meaning related to the specific Kohel family.

Kohel: Where does the name Kohel come from?

The surname Kohel appears to have multiple possible origins. It might be derived from the Jewish Kohane surname, which signifies the priestly descendants of Aaron, the brother of Moses. Alternatively, it could be a variant of Kohl, a German surname meaning "coal". Yet another possibility is that it could have Czech origins, as it is a known surname in Central Europe.

Currently, the surname is not significantly common in any specific geographical region. However, spread across different countries, it can be found in the United States, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Israel among other nations, based on various online telephone and surname directories. The different spellings of the name, such as Kohen, Kohl, or other variants, might be more common in particular regions depending on the local language and historical immigration patterns. For instance, "Kohen" or "Cohen" is more common in Jewish populations, often in Israel or among Jewish diaspora communities. As with many surnames, individuals with this name may have diverse ancestry and heritage, making it difficult to define one specific place of origin or region where it’s widely used today.

Variations of the surname Kohel

The surname Kohel is believed to have Jewish origins. Variants and alternative spellings of Kohel may include versions like Kohl, Khoel, Coel, Cohel, and Khoell. Some versions may also have a prefix or suffix attached, such as Von Kohel or Kohelmann to indicate heritage or occupation respectively.

The similar-sounding surname, Kohl, can be of German origin where it referred to a person who lived near a cabbage field or a person who sold cabbages, as Kohl in German means cabbage. In a Jewish context, its spelling variations may include Kohen, Cohn, Cohen, Kol, Kohel, Kahel, Kahl, Khel, or Khale.

The surname Cohn, Cohen, and similarly sounding ones are notable for their significance in Jewish genealogy, often indicating descent from the Kohanim, an ancient Israelite priestly caste.

It's important to remember that due to migration and intermingling of cultures, the historical development of surnames can be complex and numerous variations can exist even for a less common surname like Kohel. The spelling of surnames was often changed to fit the phonetic spelling of different languages or modified to blend into the new culture. Different branches of a family adopting different spellings over time could also contribute to the variety.

Famous people with the name Kohel

• Bill Kohel: Australian professional rugby league footballer and coach
• Dirk Kohel: American mathematician
• Lee Kohel: Australian footballer and coach
• Robert Kohel: Governor of American Samoa
• Maria Kohel: German ice hockey player
• Amelia Kohel: Canadian singer-songwriter
• Garrett Kohel: American professional downhill skier
• Patrick Kohel: German football coach
• Banks Kohel: American tug-of-war athlete
• Jody Kohel: American professional wrestler

Other surnames

Kohen