Kohl
A German surname meaning “cabbage,” usually arising as a nickname or occupational name for someone associated with cabbages or gardening.
The #3,806 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 33,188 Americans shares it.
Etymology
In German, Kohl means “cabbage.” As a surname, it most likely began as a nickname for someone who grew, sold, or ate cabbages, or as a name attached to a vegetable grower. In some cases it may also reflect a short form of older German names built on similar sounds, but the straightforward vegetable sense is the usual explanation.
History
The name is well established in German-speaking areas and also appears in records of German emigrants and their descendants. In English-language sources it is sometimes grouped with other short German surnames like Koll and Kolle, showing how forms could shift when families moved across regions and languages. In North America it is found among German and Pennsylvania German families.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The same German word Kohl survives in everyday phrases and place names, and it also turns up in compounds like Rotkohl (“red cabbage”).
From the historical record
“head) ; also a pet n. (“ my boy ”) ; S. Kull ; D. Koelle ; G. Kolia, Koller, Kolley, Kohl, Kohler ; Dch. Koll ; D.B. Col, [ Cola, Colo, Cols ; FI. Colas, Colles, Colie, Cuius ; p.n. Collyns. See Collins 'Colman. N Kalman ; A.S. Col¬”
— British Family Names: their origin and meaning (2nd ed.)