Surname von Keller - Meaning and Origin
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von Keller: What does the surname von Keller mean?
Von Keller is a German surname which indicates that the family is of noble origin and likely of noble heritage. Specifically, von Keller, or Von Keller, is a locative surname that means “from Keller” or “of Keller”, Keller being a Germanic name meaning “cellar” or “storage room”. It is assumed that many generations ago, the family lived or operated a business near or adjacent to a storage room of some type.
The term “von” itself is a German noble title used to signify the family’s noble status, much like the French “de” or the Spanish “del”. It is believed that the Von Keller family was well established in German society, likely for centuries before the 1700s. The noble title extended not only to family members but also to their land, which could be signified by placing the “von” designation before the family name.
Von Keller families can also be found in other parts of the world, including the Americas and Germany. The surname has become more prevalent in recent years due to immigration and other movements of people around the globe. Although it is no longer used in the same ways as it was centuries ago, the von Keller name can still indicate a family’s noble heritage and indicate their connections to German cultures.
Order DNA origin analysisvon Keller: Where does the name von Keller come from?
The last name von Keller is most commonly found in Switzerland and Germany, though variations of it—e.g., von Keller, Von Keller, v. Keller—can also be found across parts of Europe. The name is an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German word 'Köller,' meaning cooper, or someone who makes and repairs water vessels, buckets, and barrels.
In Germany, the last name is mainly found in certain regions like Bavaria, Brandenburg, and Saxony. In Switzerland, the name is particularly common in the cantons of Valais, Bern, Solothurn, and Geneva. This is not to say that the name does not show up elsewhere in Europe, however, as variations of von Keller can also be found in Austria, France, Italy, the Czech Republic, and further afield in countries like Canada or the United States.
The name is an old one and was likely first used by medieval tradespeople. As such, it is quite a traditional name, and one that has been passed down through generations. If anyone is searching for people with the surname von Keller in their family tree, they can always look to Switzerland and Germany as a starting point.
Variations of the surname von Keller
The surname Von Keller is derived from a Germanic origin and is thought to refer to those who lived in or by a cellar. It can be found in many other spellings and variants, which range from the German "von Keller" to the English "Keller" and other variants like Kolbe, Kelle, and Köhler.
In German-speaking countries, the name “von Keller” is most commonly used. The “von” preceding the name indicates noblesse, indicating that the family may have originated from a noble background. The surname can also be spelled as “Kellner” or “Kellermann,” which is a variation of the original spelling.
The surname can also be found in countries with large German-speaking communities. In the United States, the name is commonly found as Keller, Kelle, and Kellermann. In Sweden and Norway, the surname is spelled Köhler. In Poland, the name is spelled Kolbe, while in France the spelling is Courcelle.
The “von” (or “von der”) is generally seen as a mark of nobility. It is possible that the family name originates as far back as feudal times, but the traditional nobility associated with it has long since dissipated and this prefix is no longer associated with the surname.
In some cases, the spelling of the surname may have been altered in accordance with the language spoken by the bearer of the name. For example, an individual with the name “von Keller” may have changed the spelling to “Keller” or “Kellermann” when they moved to the United States.
The surname “von Keller” is a strong reminder of German heritage and many people of this namesake are proud of their ancestry. Numerous families with this surname have spread their heritage across the globe and it continues to be a recognizable name in many languages.
Famous people with the name von Keller
- Karoline Sophie von Keller: German opera singer and composer of brass music
- Otto von Keller: 19th century Prussian general
- Carl von Keller: Prussian nobleman, German politician, Member of the Prussian Assembly
- Kurt von Keller: Prussian general during World War I
- Michael Corrado von Keller: Austrian ornithologist
- Robert von Keller: Swiss artist, member of the Orient-Occident group
- Hans von Keller: German actor
- Wilhelm von Keller: German Expressionist painter
- Franz von Keller: German sculptor and medalist
- Karl von Keller: German physician and entomologist
- Claus von Keller: German-born American film director
- Franz Joseph von Keller: 19th century Austrian statesman
- Johann Peter von Keller: German violinist
- Mathilda von Keller: Swedish sculptor and author of memoirs
- Johann von Keller: German composer
- Martha von Keller: German operatic soprano
- Jashobra von Keller: German opera singer
- Lison von Keller: German opera singer