Surname Kowahl - Meaning and Origin
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Kowahl: What does the surname Kowahl mean?
The last name Kowahl is a German surname. Although this surname originated in Germany, it is now found in countries all over the world. The surname is thought to have first appeared in the Lower Rhine region of Germany, where the name was probably derived from a cemetery called "Kohawel" which was near the town of Koln. After becoming established in this region, the surname began to spread in the 14th century, reaching as far as Poland and other areas of Central and Eastern Europe.
With the onset of the Industrial Revolution, many of those bearing the Kowahl surname began to migrate to areas where industries were in need of workers. The Kowahl name has now become established in parts of the United States, England, Canada, and elsewhere.
The meaning of Kowahl is unclear. It may be derived from the German word Kohl (or cabbage), or from a word for "boat" such as knechwal, a type of seagoing vessel once used in Germany. Another possibility is that the name comes from the old German word "Kowal," meaning "worker" or "smith."
The name Kowahl is an interesting example of a surname that has travelled far and wide. It is a reminder of the historic migrations of people throughout the world and of how quickly names and cultures can be exchanged and spread.
Order DNA origin analysisKowahl: Where does the name Kowahl come from?
The surname Kowahl is most commonly found in the Central European country of Germany. It is believed to be of German or Czech origin. The name is less common in the United States, but can be found especially in the states of Texas, Iowa, and Michigan.
Kowahl is a surname derived from an occupational name, referring to an ancient trade practiced in Central Europe. This trade involved cutting or burning forests to clear land for various purposes. This type of wood cutting, known as Kowahlung, was carried out by specialized craftsmen and often required great skills.
As a result, these workers were held in high regard and their surnames were passed down through the generations. In Germany the surname is more widely spread, however is relatively rare in the United States.
Today, the Kowahl name may still be found scattered across Central Europe and other countries. It is possible to trace the origins of the Kowahl surname through records kept over the centuries. This includes marriage records and census data, which may help to uncover more information about the origins and spread of the Kowahl surname.
Variations of the surname Kowahl
The surname Kowahl is believed to be of German origin, with variants such as Covaill, Kohwal, Kohwahl, Kowal, Kowall, Kowalke, Kowalkowski, Kowalke, Kowalewski, Kowalovicz and Kowalczuk.
Another variation of the surname is Kouwal, a French spelling, which is often anglicized to Cowal or Coval.
The spelling can also vary for the surname Kowahl, with some having the spelling as Kowalz, Kowel, Kovel or Koyel.
The variations of the surname also differ depending on the region. In some regions, for instance, the spelling will be Kowahls or Kowheel instead of Kowahl.
The surname can also be spelt differently depending on its origin. In countries such as Hungary, Romania and Ukraine, the spelling will be Koval. In Poland, it will often be written as Kowalczyk.
Some variations may change depending on whether the last name is being translated from a different language, as well as regional dialects. When written in English, it may be written as ‘Cowie’.
The last name Kowahl may also have specific alternate spellings to denote a certain region or country. For example, in Austria, the spelling is often written as Kowalec.
In Jewish families, the surname Kowahl can have one of two spellings: Kovol or Kevol. These two spellings are used to denote a Jewish origin.
The last name Kowahl is closely related to other surnames like Kowalinsky, Kowalchuk, Kowalczyk and Kowal. These are all common variations of the same surname, but may have subtle variations in spelling.
Famous people with the name Kowahl
- Brett Kowalski: Film and television editor.
- Joe Kowalski: Professional League of Legends eSports player.
- Ahmad Kowalczyk: Professional tennis player.
- Dave Kowal: Guitarist and songwriter.
- Matt Kowalski: Actor and comedian.
- Jacek Kowalczyk: Film and television director.
- Garry Kowal: Jazz pianist.
- Alexander Kowalczuk: Professional ice hockey player.
- Kowal McPartland: Emotional Intelligence coach.
- Annette Kowalski: Country music singer.
- Bart Kowalewski: Novelist and playwright.
- Michael Kowal: Semi-professional football player.
- Patrick Kowalczyk: Football player.
- Thomas Kowalski: Fashion designer.
- Khadija Kowal: Musician and singer.
- Drue Kowal: Motorcycle designer.
- Adam Kowalczuk: Professional table tennis player.
- Corey Kowal: Professional boxer.
- Pat Kowal: Professional wrestler.
- Anzelika Kowalski: Professional synchronized swimmer.