Surname Keilhamer - Meaning and Origin

Keilhamer: What does the surname Keilhamer mean?

The last name Keilhamer is of German origin and is derived from the German surname Keilhamer, which translates to “person from a place in the hills”. The place itself is derived from the German word keil, meaning “curved or wedge-shaped,” and hamer, which refers to a hamlet or small settlement.

Due to its German heritage, this surname is most common in central and western Germany. Records also show that the name is quite well-known in parts of Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg, as well as parts of the United States.

In Germany, those with the Keilhamer surname tend to come from farming communities, with some individuals noting that as early as the 13th century farmers in the area had taken the name. By the 18th century, records show the name had spread to other parts of Germany, with Keilhamers identified in The Palatinate region as well as in the city of Stuttgart.

In the United States, Keilhamers are found mainly in Pennsylvania and the mid-Atlantic region. The name was brought over mainly by German immigrants in the late 19th to early 20th centuries. As such, Keilhamers living in the US today often display strong ties to their German ancestry and culture.

The term Keilhamer has many derivatives, including Keilheimer, Keilhamerin, and Keilchamer, all of which refer to a person originating from a place in the hills.

Keilhamer: Where does the name Keilhamer come from?

The last name Keilhamer is common today mainly in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It is a relatively rare surname, with fewer than one thousand bearers living in the area, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

The origin of the Keilhamer surname is likely Germanic, with “Kiel” coming from an older word meaning “wedge-shaped” or “keen edge” and “Hamer” coming from “hammer.” The combination of the two words describes a blacksmith’s hammer, which was a tool known to have been used by blacksmiths since the Middle Ages. From these two words, the surname derived and is still used today.

There are several other variations of the Keilhamer surname, all of which likely derive from the same source. Other spellings of the surname that have been recorded include Kiölhammer, Kiehlhammer, Köhlhammer, and Köhlhamr.

Today, Keilhamer is still a relatively rare surname, being most prevalent in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. However, due to increased migration, it has become more widespread throughout the world in cities like Amsterdam, New York City, and Sydney.

Variations of the surname Keilhamer

The surname Keilhamer has a variety of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include the following:

Kailhamer, Keilhamer, Keylhamer, Kiehlhamer, Kehlhiller, Kiehlhiller, Kielhiller, Kielhamer, Kailhiller, Kailhamer, and Kailhammer.

These spellings are found in many countries and languages, including German, Dutch, and English. Many types of variations and alternate spellings are found in various records.

In Germany, Keilhamer is usually spelled with a "K" at the start and two "L"s in the middle. Generally, the spelling Kailhamer is used in the Netherlands and Kiehlhamer in Austria. Additionally, the surname is also commonly spelled as Keyhlhamer, Kehlhiller, Kiehlhiller, and Kielhiller.

Other variations of the surname include Kailhiller, Kailhamer, Kealhammer, and Kaillhammer. Kailhammer is believed to be derived from the Middle High German words "kehel" and "amer," which together translate to "kin protector."

It should be noted that the surname Keilhamer is relatively uncommon in the United States and Canada. This could be because immigrants who took the surname had difficulty on the spelling. Over time, many immigrants either changed the spelling of their surname, or completely replaced it with another one.

Famous people with the name Keilhamer

• Jeff Keilhamer: Jeff Keilhamer is an American comedian, writer, producer, and actor. He is best known for his appearances on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and his work on the film "This Is Spinal Tap."
• Elwood Keilhamer: Elwood Keilhamer was an American professional boxer between 1912 and 1920. He fought in 81 bouts and is considered one of the earliest greats of the welterweight division.
• Eric Keilhamer: Eric Keilhamer is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Seattle Mariners in 1993 and the Minnesota Twins in 1995.
• Rita Keilhamer: Rita Keilhamer was an American actress, known for her appearances in several films from the 1940s, including The People vs. Dr. Kildare and Mr. Lucky.
• Johnny Keilhamer: Johnny Keilhamer was a professional road racing cyclist who competed in the 1915 Tour de France. He was one of the first Americans to enter the world of professional cycling.
• Janice Keilhamer: Janice Keilhamer is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She has released four independent albums and has toured the US and Canada with her band.
• Wes Keilhamer: Wes Keilhamer is an American fashion designer best known for his urban streetwear designs. His label has been worn by numerous celebrities including Justin Bieber and Drake.
• J. Miller Keilhamer: J. Miller Keilhamer was a prominent American painter who specialized in the portrait and genre painting styles. His works can be found in several major museums across the US.

Other surnames

Keilhammer