Surname Kellermann - Meaning and Origin

The Enlightening Journey: How an iGENEA DNA Test Altered My Perception of the Surname 'Kellermann'

A DNA test can deeply influence our understanding of personal heritage. My experience with the iGENEA DNA test transformed my perception of identity, especially linked to my surname, Kellermann. The garnered knowledge helped me see beyond the limited scope of borders and connect to a broader human ancestry thereby making me appreciate my surname in a new light.

D. Kellermann

Kellermann: What does the surname Kellermann mean?

The last name Kellermann is of Germanic origin. It is derived from the old German personal name "Keler", which itself comes from the root elements “kel” meaning “kettle” or “brewer” and “mann” meaning “man”. As a result, the name could have been used to denote a brewer, or someone who worked with kettles or vessels.

Alternatively, the name could have also been a nickname for someone who was particularly “keen” or “bold” in his pursuits, as the Old High German word “kelari” was a term used to describe these attributes.

Kellermann has been found to be a relatively frequently used last name throughout Germany and it is also present in other European countries such as Austria and France. Settlers from these countries are said to be the source of its spread to the United States, Australia, and Canada.

The name has many different spellings, including Keller, Kioler, Kilor, Kellyer, Kallerman, Kelerman, Kelleher, and Kelman. Despite the variety of spellings, all of these names are ultimately derived from the same root elements.

Today, the name Kellermann is used largely by descendants of those original families as an indication of heritage. It is also seen in other contexts, such as businesses, surnames of people living in other countries, books, and works of art.

Kellermann: Where does the name Kellermann come from?

The last name Kellermann is most common throughout Germany, particularly along the Rhine River, where the name originated from. The name is a combination of two German words - “Keller” and “mann” - which translates to “cellar man” or “storage man”. This suggests that individuals with this last name were responsible for looking after the supplies and storage kept at the castle or home of a noble house.

In the United States, the Kellermann surname is relatively rare, and is only found in a few states such as New York, Wisconsin, and California. In the United Kingdom, there are slightly more Kellermanns, primarily based in London, with a handful of other cases in Scotland and southern England. In Canada, the name is most prevalent in Ontario, particularly in the area around Lake Ontario.

Other parts of the world where the name has been found include places like Ireland, France, Czech Republic, Norway, and the Netherlands. Although the absence of ancient records for many countries means that the absolute extent of the surname's geographic popularity is unknown, it is clear that the Kellermann last name is still many centuries later seen quite frequently throughout much of Europe, and to a lesser extent, parts of North America.

Variations of the surname Kellermann

Kellermann is a German-origin surname. It is associated with the Old German name ‘Keller’, which has several variations.

Some of its spelling variants include:

• Kallerman

• Kallermann

• Kallenman

• Kelerman

• Kelermann

• Kellerman

• Kelleman

• Kellermann

• Kelman

• Kelmann

It is not clear if the name originated from the trade of a ‘Keller’, or an ale-brewer, but it most likely originated as an occupational name.

The surname Kellermann has several surnames of similar origin. Some of its derivative surnames are:

• Kallenbach

• Kallenberger

• Kalman

• Kallenberg

• Kaller

• Kalle

• Kalmar

• Kleman

• Klemmer

• Klemm

• Kelm

• Kelby

• Kellems

• Kelleher

• Kellett

• Kelliher

• Kellner

• Kellogg

• Kellon

• Kelley

These surnames are all variation of the German origin surname, Kellermann. These surnames are most likely to be found in locations in Germany, Austria, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, and other countries where German-origin names have migrated.

Famous people with the name Kellermann

• Fritz Kellermann: German senior lieutenant of WWI
• Franck Kellermann: French freestyle skier and Olympian
• Max Kellermann: American boxing commentator and sports talk-show host
• Maj. Gen. Hermann von Francois: German military leader and cousin of Fritz Kellermann
• Carl Kellermann: Austrian heavy-weight boxer
• Margie Kellermann: Australian sprinter and hurdler
• Alexander Kellermann: German general in WWII
• Martin Kellermann: Swedish political cartoonist
• August Friedrich Kellermann: German naval officer and explorer
• Charles Kellermann: German classicist, theologian and philosopher

Other surnames

KellermannsKellermayerKellermayrKellermeierKellermeyer