Surname Kayl - Meaning and Origin
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Kayl: What does the surname Kayl mean?
The last name Kayl is thought to be most likely of German origin, and its most likely meaning is derived from the German locational surname ‘Kahl’, which denotes a person coming from a 'kahl', or a charcoal burner’s site. Though it is difficult to pinpoint the exact meaning, it is likely that those with the surname Kayl had an ancestor or relative who held the occupation of a charcoal burner at some point in their family’s history.
The surname has gone through various spelling changes since its origin, with spellings that have been located in German archives as Kael, Kahl, Kal, Kehl, and Koehl, among others. It was also adopted into other languages, such as one occurrence in an 1662 Spanish settlement record in New Mexico as ‘Kail’, and another 1736 record in Bavaria, Germany as ‘Köhl’.
The name Kayl is rare, although it has seen a slight increase in usage since the 19th century. Today, it is most common across Germany and the United States, with those who bear it having ancestors who likely made the journey from Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisKayl: Where does the name Kayl come from?
The last name Kayl is most commonly found today in Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. There is also an American branch of Kayls, originating from the mid-1800s in the Midwest and Upper Midwest regions of the United States. The name is most prevalent in Germany and especially in Bavaria, where over 17,000 people bear the last name. It is estimated that 1 in 2,150 people in Germany are named Kayl.
The name is also found scattered throughout other parts of Europe, including Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, and Sweden. In Austria, where it is one of the most common surnames, over 3,600 people are recorded as having a last name of Kayl. It is also found in Liechtenstein, where it is the fourth most common surname.
Historically, Kayl is thought to have been an occupational name, with records dating back to 1260 indicating individuals with this last name were involved in the leather trade. It may also have originated from the Latin name Calle, which refers to someone living in a narrow street or alley.
The Kayl surname is widely distributed across the German-speaking regions of Europe, and is also found in small, scattered populations throughout the rest of Europe.
Variations of the surname Kayl
Kayl is a surname that can be spelt in many different ways depending on the language it is used in. In English it is traditionally spelt as ‘Kayl’, however, it can also be found as ‘Kael’ and even ‘Kahl’ depending on the context. In other languages it has further variations: in Dutch, it is ‘Keil’, in French ‘Kail’, and in German ‘Kehl’. It is even found in the Irish forms as ‘Kele’ and ‘Keel’. Many of these variations have become surnames in their own right, with people bearing them either being direct descendants of the original Kayl, or having adopted the ‘name-change’ when migrating to another country.
There are many variants of Kayl, stemming from different countries and cultures. It has been used as a surname in America, and has even been found in the records of early colonists. In Scotland, some variants of the name have been known since the 1200s, and is still common today, with many families still bearing it. In other locations it is rarer, particularly in the non-English speaking world.
No matter the spelling, all variations of Kayl share a common origin. The surname likely has Germanic origins, with the word ‘kael’ meaning ‘cabbage patch’ – an indication that the original bearer of the surname likely lived near such a garden patch.
While the variants of Kayl differ across languages, ultimately they all retain the same origin and are connected through their common ancestral roots. Despite the differences in spelling, many with the surname are united in their shared heritage and a common history.
Famous people with the name Kayl
- Brandin Kayl: American actor.
- Ginny Kayl: American columnist.
- Michael Richard Kayl III: American photographer.
- Linda Kayl: American lyricist.
- Donald Kayl: Canadian politician.
- Booker Kayl: American writer.
- Stephen Kayl: American Le Mans Series driver.
- Tony Kayl: English jazz musician.
- Jim Kayl: American basketball coach.
- George Kayl: American actor.
- Joe Kayl: American football coach.
- Chris Kayl: British politician.
- Kathleen Kayl: American singer.
- Wally Kayl: American animator.
- Adam Kayl: American film producer.
- Arthur Kayl: German-British Sergeant of the Royal Air Force.
- John Kayl: American basketball coach.
- Sharon Kayl: American figure skater.
- Freddy Kayl: Belgian-American composer.
- Evie Kayl: American race car driver.