Surname Keilhoff - Meaning and Origin

Keilhoff: What does the surname Keilhoff mean?

The Keilhoff surname is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word “Kilof” meaning “keel” or “hull of a boat” and the Old Germanic “hof” meaning “enclosure” or “courtyard”. This name was given to someone who lived either near the sea and worked as a shipbuilder, or near a farm or settlement with an enclosed courtyard. The surname is believed to have first been used in North Germany, with the first known recorded use being in 1212.

The name Keilhoff is quite common throughout the German-speaking world, particularly Germany, Switzerland and Austria. It has also spread through emigration to other countries, particularly in Europe, North and South America, and numerous other regions of the world. As a result of its wide dispersal, there are now many variations of the spelling of the surname, including Kilhoff, Kilhof and Killhoff.

Throughout history, the Keilhoff surname has been associated with a variety of professions and trades. Records indicate that many bearers of the name were brewers, traders, farmers or peasants. In more recent times, people with this surname have often been involved in writing, engineering, business or academia.

The Keilhoff surname is a part of the rich and varied tapestry of German history and has come to represent the significant contribution German-speaking people have made around the world.

Keilhoff: Where does the name Keilhoff come from?

The last name Keilhoff is common throughout Germany today. Keilhoff is a German surname derived from "köhler" meaning charcoal burner. This names is most common in the western and northern parts of Germany, especially in areas of old Prussia. It is also very common in the countries bordering Germany such as the Czech Republic, Poland, and France. As of 2018, it is the 277th most common surname in Germany.

Keilhoff is most heavily concentrated in the states of Thuringia, Saxony, and Berlin, with many Keilhoffs living in the cities of Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich. The city of Erfurt in Thuringia has the most Keilhoff families, and Saxony is a close second.

In the United States, Keilhoff is present in small numbers. It is most commonly found in the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Texas, and of course in pockets of those with German heritage.

The Keilhoff name also has its roots in Denmark, where there are pockets of the Keilhoff families. Other countries where Keilhoff is found include France, the Netherlands, and Lithuania.

The Keilhoff name spans centuries and continues to be common today throughout Central and Northern Europe.

Variations of the surname Keilhoff

Keilhoff is a surname of German and Anglo-Saxon origins. It is derived from an old German phrase meaning "Cyninges holaf" which translates to "King's shelter". This surname is commonly found in Germany, the Netherlands, and England.

Variants and spelling variants of the Keilhoff surname include: Kailhof, Keilhof, Keilhoof, Keilhoff, Kaylhoff, Keylhof, and Kilhoff.

German surnames often take on different spellings and forms depending on the region they are found in. The German variants for Keilhoff include Kählhof, Käilhof, Käilhoof, Kölhof, Köhlhof and Köilhof. In Dutch, the surname is also known as Keilhove.

Surnames that have the same origin as Keilhoff, but use a different spelling include: Kaehlhof, Kaiehlhof, Kailhove, Kaelhove, Kaehlhove, Kahlove, Kalhove, Kailove, Kalove, Kawhlove, Kelhove, Kolhove, Kiehlhoff, Kehlhoff and Kailhefe.

Keilhoff is a surname with a rich history and many different forms. Some people with the name may choose to keep the traditional spelling, while others may decide to use a variant or spelling of their choice.

Famous people with the name Keilhoff

• Paul Keilhoff: German photographer and author
• Robert Keilhoff: German football coach
• Harry Keilhoff: American Civil War soldier and Medal of Honor recipient
• Jens Keilhoff: German sculptor
• Kersten Keilhoff: German economist
• Tricia Keilhoff: American soccer player
• Anton Keilhoff: German entomologist
• Ambrosius Keilhoff: Dutch painter
• Andreas Keilhoff: German theologian
• Elmar Keilhoff: German politician
• Karl Keilhoff: German architect
• Franz Karl Keilhoff: German mathematician
• Stephan Keilhoff: German footballer
• Anton Keilhoff, Jr.: German entomologist
• Karl-Heinz Keilhoff: German footballer
• Friedrich Theodor Keilhoff: German geologist and paleontologist
• Sebastien Keilhoff: German actor
• Otto Keilhoff: German judge and president of the Federal Court of Justice
• Wilhelm Keilhoff: German ornithologist
• Linda Keilhoff: German journalist and author

Other surnames

KeilhoferKeilholtzKeilholz