Surname Kuhlmann - Meaning and Origin

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I. Kuhlmann

Kuhlmann: What does the surname Kuhlmann mean?

The surname Kuhlmann has German origins and it is considered to be an occupational name. It is composed of the elements "Kuhl" and "Mann". "Kuhl" is derived from the Middle High German "Kule" or "Kuele" which means a pit or a hollow. Therefore, it could possibly refer to a person who lived near a pit, hollow, or depression in the landscape. The "Mann" part is simply the German term for man or person. Therefore, Kuhlmann essentially means "man from the pit/hollow". Occupational names were frequently derived based on principal activity of the head of the family. Thus, the name could also suggest that ancestors of the Kuhlmann lineage might have been involved in some manner of work related to pits, maybe mining or excavation. Like most surnames, different families with the Kuhlmann name might have different origins for the name, given how common occupational or geographic names were.

Kuhlmann: Where does the name Kuhlmann come from?

The last name Kuhlmann is primarily found in Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Czech Republic, and Poland. It is a German habitational or topographical surname derived from several places called Kuhlmann or Kühlmann, all of which are located in the historic area of the German states.

In Germany, the name is most common in the regions of Bavaria, Saxony, and North Rhine-Westphalia. In Austria, it is mainly found in the state of Lower Austria. In Netherlands, the name is quite uncommon but present in several cities. Recent numbers also state that there are approximately 500 individuals in the Czech Republic with the last name Kuhlmann.

The name is also being carried to other countries of the world as German immigrants have been known to take their family name with them. The United States is one of the countries seeing an influx of the name Kuhlmann even though it is not as popular as it is elsewhere in Europe. The name also turns up in Brazil, Canada, Argentina, and other countries where people of German descent have settled.

In summary, the last name Kuhlmann is currently most commonly found in Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Poland, the United States, Brazil, Canada, and Argentina.

Variations of the surname Kuhlmann

The surname Kuhlmann is fairly common and can be spelt in a variety of ways. The most common variant is Kühlmann, with the umlaut over the U. This is mostly used in German-speaking countries. Other common variants include Kuehlmann, Kuhlemann, Kuehlemann, Kuehlemenn, Kihlmann, and Köhlmann, with the o-umlaut.

In the Netherlands and Belgium the spelling of this surname tends to be Koolman, Kooleman, Koolen, Coolen, and Coolman. In Jewish communities, the surname is sometimes spelt Kuchleman, Kuchlman, and Kuchlemann.

Other lesser used variants spellings from Northern Germany include Kuhelmann, Kuhelman, Kuehlman, Kühlmann, Kuhlenmann, and Kuhlmann.

In the United States, the surname is known as Koolman, Coolman, Kuhlman, and Kuehlman among other variants.

Surnames of similar origin such as Kuehnel, Kuhnel, Kühnle, Koehne, Köhnle, Kohnle, and Kahlemann are sometimes confused with Kuhlmann and so bear careful consideration when researching its origin.

Famous people with the name Kuhlmann

• Christa Kuhlmann: a German Olympic fencer who competed for East Germany, and won a gold medal in the individual foil competition at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
• Kristina Kuhlmann: a German Olympic diver who competed for East Germany at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
• Joe Kuhlmann: an American professional golfer who has won two events on the PGA Tour Champions.
• Olaf Kuhlmann: a German artist, musician, and video artist, he has also collaborated on several installations and theatrical works.
• Florian Kuhlmann: a German Olympic rower who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics.
• Steve Kuhlmann: an American Major League Baseball pitcher who played two seasons with the Chicago White Sox.
• Ashia Hansen: a British Olympic triple jumper who married former decathlete Frank Kuhlmann, and won a bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
• Ralf Kuhlmann: a German enduro motorcyclist who has raced the Paris–Dakar Rally four times.
• Ellie Kuhlmann: a former Canadian rhythmic gymnast who represented Canada at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
• Chris Kuhlmann: a semi-professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the PowerPlay Phoenix.

Other surnames

Kuhlman