The Kohl Family History

What Does the Kohl Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname Kohl is of German origin, denoting an individual engaged in farming or trading cabbage. This nomenclature can be traced back to the Latin word caulis, which translates to stalk, and further evolves from the Middle High German term kol, meaning cabbage. Variants of the surname include Kohle, Koel, Kol, Khole, Koehle, and Koeh. Predominantly found in Germany and Austria, the Kohl surname has its roots in the Württemberg region. In England, individuals with the Kohl surname are primarily located in London and Kent. In the United States, the name is most frequently encountered in states such as Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, California, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Michigan. Noteworthy individuals bearing the Kohl surname include Helmut Josef Kohl, former Chancellor of Germany; Joseph Kohl, who served as Mayor of Neutral Moresnet in the 19th century; Christiane Kohl, a German soprano; Chantel Kohl, a singer; Herbert H. Kohl, who owns the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team and Kohl's grocery stores; and Bernhard Kohl, an accomplished professional road cyclist from Austria.