Surname Kohlhaß - Meaning and Origin
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Kohlhaß: What does the surname Kohlhaß mean?
The last name Kohlhaß is a German surname, derived from the Middle High German words kol (meaning “coal”) and hase (or “hare”). This name appears to have originated as a nickname for an ancestor who worked in a coal mine, hunted rabbits, or perhaps a combination of the two. The surname is thus implied to refer to a “coal burner” or “coal hare.”
The name Kohlhaß is most common in Germany and the regions of Switzerland and Alsace that were formerly part of the German Empire. In the United States, the name is more likely to be associated with German-American families, many of which can trace their ancestry back to 19th century German settlers in Pennsylvania and other states.
Historically, the Kohlhaß family may have been closely bound to the communities and trades in which their ancestors worked. Depending on the geographic region and era in which a Kohlhaß ancestor lived, this could mean important roles in mining, farming, and crafting or commerce. It was not uncommon in those days for a family such as the Kohlhaß to be closely associated with a certain craft or trade. Today, the name Kohlhaß carries carries no official title or honor; it is simply an interesting family and cultural legacy that has been handed down, generation to generation.
Order DNA origin analysisKohlhaß: Where does the name Kohlhaß come from?
The last name Kohlhaß is most commonly found in the modern day in Germany. It’s a relatively rare last name, however, and those who carry it can trace their ancestry to Germany’s southwestern Fox states, especially in the municipal districts of Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald and Waldshut. It’s believed that this last name dates all the way back to the Old German region known as Alemannia, which was a Germanic tribe located in what is now modern-day Germany.
The spelling of Kohlhaß has seen changes over the years, with variants including Kohlhaus, Kohlhase, and Kohleshaus. The surname has also been used as a way to recognize the service of a person in a particular trade. For example, those who worked in the charcoal refining industry were known as Kohlhaß, which references the German words for “sweeping coal” or “burning coal”.
Today, those who bear the last name of Kohlhaß are most likely still traced back to the southwest German regions of Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald and Waldshut, though a few individuals may have spread out over the centuries to other parts of Germany. It is also possible to find the surname in nearby countries that were once part of the German Confederation, such as the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, and Austria-Hungary.
Variations of the surname Kohlhaß
The surname Kohlhaß is derived from the German noun "Kohl," which literally means "cabbage." The variants of Kohlhaß include the spellings Kohlhase, Kohlhaas, Kohlhaes, Kohlhauser, Kollhaß, Kollhase, Kollhaas, Kollhaus, Kollhaes, Kollhausen, Kohlhassen, Kolhaas, Kohlhäus, Kollhäus, Kohlhäuser, Kollhäuser, Kohlhäes, and Kollhäes.
Kohlhase is the most popular spelling variant of this surname, often used in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Kohlhaas is a slightly less common spelling variant mostly found in Germany. The spelling Kohlhaes is also sometimes encountered in Germany. Kohlhauser only appears in very few cases in Germany.
Kollhaß is a rare spelling variant of this German surname usually associated with the Frankfurt and Stuttgart regions. Kollhase and Kollhaas are somewhat more common spelling variants, while Kollhaus, Kollhaes, and Kollhausen are rare. Kohlhassen is mainly used in the southwestern regions of Germany.
Kolhaas is a less popular spelling variant of this German surname which is mostly used in the northern and northwestern parts of Germany. Kohlhäus and Kollhäus are rarely encountered. Kohlhäuser is mostly used in the western parts of Germany, while Kollhäuser is mostly found in the central and eastern parts of the country. Kohlhäes and Kollhäes are both found in small numbers throughout the entire country.
Famous people with the name Kohlhaß
- Georg Kohlhaas: German politician and Member of Parliament
- Dieter Kohlhaas: German author and environmental activist
- Thomas Kohlhaas: German artist, writer, and filmmaker
- Michael Kohlhaas: German pastor and professor of Lutheran Theology
- Christa Kohlhaas: German-born American actress
- Moritz Kohlhaas: German musician and composer
- Karl Kohlhaas: German general manager and managing director
- Johann Kohlhaas: Austrian freestyle ski coach and Olympic silver medalist
- Alexander Kohlhaas: German chess player and Grandmaster
- Lisa Kohlhaas: German film producer and television consultant
- Manuela Kohlhaas: German swimmer and Paralympic bronze medalist
- Helge Kohlhaas: German shot-putter and Olympic gold medalist
- Janina Kohlhaas: German mezzo-soprano opera singer
- Raphaela Kohlhaas: German water polo player and 10-time World Champion
- Marlies Kohlhaas: German sprinter and 10-time national champion
- Eberhard Kohlhaas: German entrepreneur and sculptor
- Gerd Kohlhaas: German painter and graphic designer
- Ulrike Kohlhaas: German architect and urban planner
- Dorothea Kohlhaas: German writer of children's books
- Joachim Kohlhaas: German hurdler and two-time World Cup medalist