Surname Kees - Meaning and Origin

Kees: What does the surname Kees mean?

The last name Kees is of Dutch and German origin and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. The name was originally spelled Kees or Keess, with the 's' added in the 16th - 17th century when it started to become more popular. It is derived from 'Kelso', which means 'comb, lock of hair'. The name was initially used as an occupational surname for a barber or hairdresser.

It is likely that the surname was first used to describe someone who worked as a barber or hairdresser, as these professions were quite common in medieval Europe. This surname is believed to have spread to the United States after the immigration of Dutch and German families in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The surname Kees is still quite common in certain areas of the United States and Europe today, especially in those with large Dutch populations. The meaning of the surname is still linked to the professions of barber and hairdresser, and is symbolic of someone who is skilled at taking care of a person's hair and styling. The surname also has retained its sense of pride and distinction, being associated with someone who has a high level of skill in this particular profession.

Kees: Where does the name Kees come from?

The last name Kees is a common family name in parts of The Netherlands, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The name is likely derived from an old Dutch word meaning "bold" or "brave." This suggests the surname was likely given to ancestors who displayed courage or strength during their lifetime.

In The Netherlands, the surname Kees is most common in the northern regions of the country, including Gelderland and Utrecht. In recent years, however, it has spread to southern provinces like North and South Holland as well as Limburg.

In Germany, the coat of arms of the Kees family show just how far back the surname goes. The earliest record of the name dates from 1517 in Schleswig-Holstein. Today, the surname remains a popular choice for many of the country's citizens, especially those residing in Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia, but it is by no means limited to these regions.

In the United Kingdom, the surname is relatively rare but is known to occur in some areas. A good example is the town of Dunfermline in Scotland, where the Kees family originated. Today, they are spread across the region, and in recent years, the Kees name has also become quite popular in Wales.

Overall, the last name Kees is still quite popular in certain parts of the world and is likely to continue to be for generations to come.

Variations of the surname Kees

The surname Kees is a Dutch, Low German, and Frisian origin name. It is derived from the Germanic personal name "Kasimir," meaning "peacemaker." Variations of the surname Kees include:

1. Kes

2. Keesan

3. Keas

4. Keus

5. Keese

6. Keasch

7. Kess

8. Keesh

9. Kuss

10. Keys

11. Keesman

12. Keesey

13. Keeseck

In some countries the surname is spelled as Kés. In the Netherlands, the surnames Keesman and Kessman are pronounced and spelled similarly to Kees. In some instances, the spelling of the surname was changed to Keys during immigration to the United States and other countries.

Other surnames with the same origin are Kaes, Kaeg, Case, and Queisser.

The popularity of the surname Kees in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Belgium, and Switzerland is increasing day by day. It is not limited to Europe but is also found in the United States and Canada.

Famous people with the name Kees

• Carina Kees: American contemporary Christian singer and songwriter.
• Bob Keeshan: American Television Producer, Actor and Host. He is best known as the host of the children's television series "Captain Kangaroo".
• Charles Kees: An American professional wrestler who wrestled mainly in the southern United States.
• Peter Kees: A German teacher, Social Democratic Party politician and, in 1912, the mayor of the city of Cologne.
• Willem Kees de Graaff: A Dutch politician who served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 1939 to 1941.
• Philip Kees: A Canadian racing driver. He is best known for driving in the Canadian Touring Car Championship and winning the 2005 Players/Toyota Atlantic championship.
• Jerry Keesee: An American boxing trainer and teacher who worked with notable figures such as Muhammad Ali, Larry Holmes, and Michael Spinks
• Bill Kees: A former baseball coach and minor league baseball player.
• Bert Kees: A Dutch footballer who played as a defender for RCH and VVV-Venlo in the Dutch Eredivisie.
• Arjen Kees: A Dutch former footballer. He played in the back-line for ADO Den Haag and at the time was one of the fan' favourites.

Other surnames

KeeKeechKeefeKeeferKeeffeKeeganKeehanKeehnerKeelKeelaghanKeelahanKeelanKeelerKeeleyKeelingKeeltyKeelyKeenKeenaKeenahanKeenanKeeneKeenerKeeneyKeenyKeepKeerKeerbachKeericanKeery