Show ContentsKellner History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Kellner is derived from the Middle High German word "kellaere" which referred to a "cellarer," that is, an administrator and manager of revenues of an estate. As such, the name was no doubt originally occupational.

Early Origins of the Kellner family

The surname Kellner was first found in Swabia, where the family contributed greatly to the development of an emerging nation and would later play a large role in the political conflicts of the area. The family branched into many houses, many of which acquired estates and manors throughout the surrounding regions, where they played significant roles in the social and political affairs. Individual bearers of this name first mentioned in ancient chronicles include Herman der Kelner (Keller) of Rottweil, Wuerttemberg, in 1314.

Early History of the Kellner family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kellner research. Another 297 words (21 lines of text) covering the years 1452, 1466, 1605, 1699, 1766, 1798, 1819 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Kellner History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kellner Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Kellner,Keller and others.

Early Notables of the Kellner family

More information is included under the topic Early Kellner Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kellner Ranking

In the United States, the name Kellner is the 7,324th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1


United States Kellner migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kellner Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Johan Peter Kellner, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1749 2
  • Hans Gerog and Hans Jacob Kellner together arrived in Philadelphia in 1752
  • Hans Georg Kellner, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1752 2
  • Hans Jacob Kellner, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1752 2
Kellner Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Joh Geo Kellner, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1802 2
  • Juan Jose Kellner, who arrived in Puerto Rico in 1816 2
  • Julius Kellner, (Justus), agfed 25, who landed in Galveston, Texas in 1845 aboard the ship "Arminius", he died in 1851 2
  • Justus Kellner, (Kellnes), aged 22, who arrived in Texas in 1845 aboard the ship "Armenius"
  • Peter Kellner, who landed in New York, NY in 1847 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Kellner (post 1700) +

  • Lawrence W. "Larry" Kellner (b. 1959), American former CEO of Continental Airlines
  • Walter Joseph "Walt" Kellner (1929-2006), American Major League Baseball relief pitcher
  • Catherine Kellner (b. 1970), American character actress from Manhattan
  • Micah Z. Kellner (b. 1978), American Democratic Party politician from the state of New York 3
  • Jamie Kellner, American television executive, former chairman and chief executive officer of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc
  • Alexander Raymond Kellner (1924-1996), American Major League Baseball starting pitcher
  • Daniel "Dan" Kellner (b. 1976), American two-time gold and silver medalist foil fencer
  • Leon B. Kellner, American politician, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, 1985-88 4
  • Ernest Kellner, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Mississippi, 1960 4
  • E. F. Kellner, American politician, Candidate for Mayor of Phoenix, Arizona, 1894 4
  • ... (Another 6 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bismarck
  • Werner Kellner (1920-1941), German Maschinenobergefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 5


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2012, December 15) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  5. Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details


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