Show ContentsKohlman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the proud surname Kohlman can be traced to the historic kingdom of Bohemia, which is now part of Czechoslovakia. In the Middle Ages, Bohemia was a part of the Holy Roman Empire, which was characterized by the Feudal System. Before this era, people were known only by a single name. However, as the population increased and travelers set out on their journeys, it became necessary for people to adopt a second name to identify themselves. Many people, such as the Kohlman family, adopted the name of their feudal occupation as their surname. However, an occupational name did not become a hereditary surname until the office or type of employment became hereditary. The Kohlman name derives from the Old German word "cholo," which meant "cabbage;" the surname was an occupational name for a person who grew or sold cabbages.

Early Origins of the Kohlman family

The surname Kohlman was first found in Bohemia, where the family became noted for its many branches within the region, many houses acquiring a status and influence which rivaled that of the landed aristocracy. In their later history some branches were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they distinguished themselves through their contributions to the social, political, and economic developments of the nation. The literal meaning of this name is "cabbage" and thus "cabbage farmer," and is to be differentiated from the name Kohler or Koehler, which means "coal miner."

Early History of the Kohlman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kohlman research. Another 354 words (25 lines of text) covering the years 1548, 1594, 1598, 1777 and 1816 are included under the topic Early Kohlman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kohlman Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Kohl, Kohle, Koehl (Swabia), Koel, Kol, Koehll, Koehle, Khole and many more.

Early Notables of the Kohlman family

Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kohlman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Kohlman migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kohlman Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • J Adam Kohlman, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1753 1
  • Jacob Kohlman, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1775 1
  • Johann Philip Kohlman, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1775 1
Kohlman Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John H Kohlman, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1837 1
  • Babetta Kohlman, aged 26, who arrived in New York, NY in 1848 1
  • Frederick Kohlman, who landed in Mississippi in 1860 1
  • Joseph Bernard Kohlman, who arrived in Mississippi in 1887 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Kohlman (post 1700) +

  • Churchill Kohlman (1906-1983), American songwriter
  • Joseph James "Blackie" Kohlman (1913-1974), American Major League Baseball pitcher
  • Freddie Kohlman (1918-1990), American jazz drummer, vocalist, and bandleader
  • Lynn Eleanor Kohlman (1946-2008), American fashion model, photographer and author
  • Jim Kohlman, American Republican politician, Candidate for Florida State House of Representatives 98th District, 1978 2


  1. 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)
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 9) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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