Show ContentsKohler History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Kohler

What does the name Kohler mean?

The ancient and distinguished surname Kohler is of German origin. The name is derived from the Alemmanic word "Kohler," meaning "charcoal burner," and was most likely originally borne by a practitioner of this occupation.

Early Origins of the Kohler family

The surname Kohler was first found in Saxony, where the family rose to prominence early in the mediaeval era. From the 13th century the surname was identified with the great social and economic evolution which made this territory a landmark contributor to the development of what would become the German nation.

Early History of the Kohler family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kohler research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1569, 1602, 1658, 1719 and 1800 are included under the topic Early Kohler History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kohler Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Kohler, Koehler, Koler, Kolar, Koller, Kollar, Koeler, Koelar, Koelle, Koeller, Koellar, Koellner, Koelner, Coler, Cohler, Coeler and many more.

Early Notables of the Kohler family

Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kohler Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kohler Ranking

In the United States, the name Kohler is the 2,254th most popular surname with an estimated 14,922 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Kohler is ranked the 2,009th most popular surname with an estimated 3,111 people with that name. 2


Kohler migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kohler Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Hans Georg Kohler, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1733
  • Hans Jacob Kohler, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1737 3
  • Hans Philip Kohler, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1738 3
  • Gabriel Kohler, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1742 3
  • Frederich Kohler, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1743 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Kohler Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • George Kohler, aged 26, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1832 3
  • Michael Kohler, who arrived in New York in 1833 3
  • Levinus Kohler, who arrived in America in 1834 3
  • Maria Elisabeth Kohler, aged 63, who landed in America in 1839 3
  • Ludwig Kohler, who arrived in Texas in 1840-1850 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Kohler Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Joseph Kohler, who arrived in Arkansas in 1906 3

Kohler migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kohler Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Wilhelm Kohler, who arrived in Manitoba in 1874
  • Gehrhard Kohler, who arrived in Manitoba in 1874
  • Jacob Kohler, who arrived in Manitoba in 1874
  • Johan Kohler, who arrived in Manitoba in 1874
  • Martin Kohler, who arrived in Manitoba in 1874
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Kohler (post 1700) +

  • John Michael Kohler (1844-1900), American industrialist and mayor of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, founder of the Kohler Company in 1873
  • Herbert Vollrath Kohler Jr. (1939-2022), American billionaire businessman, a member of the Kohler family of Wisconsin, and the executive chairman of the Kohler Company with an estimated net worth of US$7.6 billion
  • Terry Kohler (1934-2016), American businessman, sportsman, philanthropist, and conservationist
  • Walter Jodok Kohler Jr. (1904-1976), American politician, 33rd Governor of Wisconsin
  • Walter Jodok Kohler Sr. (1875-1940), American businessman and politician, president of the Kohler Company (1905 to 1937), 26th Governor of Wisconsin
  • Kaufmann Kohler (1843-1926), German-born American reform rabbi and theologian
  • Charlotte Kohler (1908-2008), American literary magazine editor and a university professor
  • Foy David Kohler (1908-1990), American diplomat and career Foreign Service Officer who was Ambassador to the Soviet Union during the Cuban Missile Crisis
  • Frederick Kohler (1864-1934), American Republican politician, Mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, 1922-23 ; Candidate in primary for Governor of Ohio, 1928 4
  • Foy David Kohler (1908-1990), American politician, U.S. Ambassador to Soviet Union, 1962-66 4
  • ... (Another 24 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bismarck
  • Rudi Köhler (1922-1941), German Matrosengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 5
  • Helmar Köhler (1921-1941), German Matrosengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 5
  • Bruno Köhler (1916-1941), German Oberleutnant (W) who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 5
  • Alexander Köhler (1920-1941), German Angestellter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 5


Suggested Readings for the name Kohler +

  • The House of von Kohler by Arvid Axel Kohler.

  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  3. 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)
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 9) . 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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