Show ContentsKilmer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Like many surnames, the name Kilmer is taken from a feature of the terrain around the family's dwelling place; Kuhl comes from the Middle Low German word "kule," meaning a "hollow" or "depression." There are also several places in the northern part of Germany with that name.

Early Origins of the Kilmer family

The surname Kilmer was first found in Germany, where the name Kilmer came from humble beginnings but gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the emerging mediaeval society. It later became more prominent as numerous branches of the same house acquired distant estates, some of which were located in other countries. Through the acquisition of these estates as well as their important contributions to society, the family successfully elevated their social status. Like many surnames, the name Kilmer is taken from a feature of the terrain around the family's dwelling place; Kuhl comes from the Middle Low German word "kule," meaning a "hollow" or "depression." There are also several places in the northern part of Germany with that name.

Early History of the Kilmer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kilmer research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1651 and 1689 are included under the topic Early Kilmer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kilmer Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Kuhl, Kuhle, Kuhlen, Kuhlemann, Kuhlmann, Kulemann, Kule and many more.

Early Notables of the Kilmer family

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

Kilmer Ranking

In the United States, the name Kilmer is the 5,122nd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1


United States Kilmer migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kilmer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Georg Kilmer (also Kuhlmann) of Altengronau, and his Wife Anna Margaretha, who were Palatines, on record in New York State in 1710
Kilmer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Cordelia Kilmer, aged 38, who settled in America, in 1896
Kilmer Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • C.E. Kilmer, aged 34, who immigrated to the United States, in 1903
  • Edith J. Kilmer, aged 31, who landed in America, in 1908
  • Fred B. Kilmer, aged 59, who settled in America, in 1910
  • Arthur Kilmer, aged 27, who landed in America, in 1911
  • Ester Kilmer, aged 26, who immigrated to the United States, in 1913
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Kilmer (post 1700) +

  • Derek Christian Kilmer (b. 1974), American politician, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Washington (2013-)
  • William Orland "Billy" Kilmer Jr. (b. 1939), American NFL football quarterback who played from 1961 to 1978
  • Val Edward Kilmer (b. 1959), American stage and screen actor, perhaps best known for his role in the blockbuster action film Top Gun (1986) and as Bruce Wayne in Batman Forever (1995) 2
  • John Edward Kilmer (1930-1952), United States Navy officer, and a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Korean War
  • Dr. Sylvester Andral Kilmer (1840-1924), American MD of Cobleskill, New York, creator of "Dr. Kilmer's Swamp Root"
  • Alfred Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918), American poet, killed in WWI
  • H. A. Kilmer, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Ohio, 1904 3
  • Cynthia Bradley Kilmer, American politician, Mayor of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, 2006 3
  • C. S. Kilmer, American politician, Industrial Candidate for U.S. Representative from Michigan 10th District, 1890 3
  • Beverly Kilmer (b. 1951), American Republican politician, Member of Florida State House of Representatives 7th District, 1999-; Delegate to Republican National Convention from Florida, 2004 3


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. Val Kilmer. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) Val Kilmer. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Val_Kilmer
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 6) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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