K Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Origins and Meanings

This list explores the origins and meanings of a selection of last names beginning with the letter "K," encompassing a diverse range of cultural influences. From ancient origins to more modern derivations, these names offer a glimpse into the rich tapestry of human history. Whether you're researching your family history or simply curious about the stories behind these common surnames, this comprehensive list provides valuable insights.
1. **Kacinski:** Polish, meaning "someone who comes from a place where oaks grow" or "one who lives near oak trees."
2. **Kagan:** Hebrew, meaning "little one" or "small." It can also be a variant of "Cohen," a priestly surname.
3. **Kaiser:** German, meaning "emperor" or "Caesar," originally a title of the Holy Roman Emperor.
4. **Kalbfleisch:** German, meaning "calf flesh" or "veal," likely a reference to a butcher or someone who dealt in cattle.
5. **Kale:** English, meaning "from the marsh" or "from the meadow."
6. **Kalin:** Slavic, meaning "beautiful" or "handsome," often referring to a person with a pleasant appearance.
7. **Kallen:** Dutch, meaning "from the meadow" or "from the valley," indicating a place of origin.
8. **Kaminsky:** Polish, meaning "someone who comes from the village of Kamień" or "one who lives near a stone."
9. **Kane:** Irish, meaning "descendant of Conn" or "handsome," referring to a famous Irish king.
10. **Kaplan:** Hebrew, meaning "priest" or "rabbi," a title given to those who served as religious leaders.
11. **Karas:** Czech, meaning "carp" or "a type of fish," likely an occupational surname for a fisherman.
12. **Karlin:** Czech, meaning "from Karlovy Vary" or "from Carlsbad," a spa town in the Czech Republic.
13. **Karp:** Jewish, meaning "carp" or "a type of fish," possibly an occupational surname for a fisherman or a place name.
14. **Kasson:** French, meaning "from the town of Casson" or "someone who comes from Casson."
15. **Katz:** German, meaning "cat" or "kitten," possibly an occupational surname for a cat-catcher or a nickname for someone agile.
16. **Kaufman:** German, meaning "merchant" or "buyer," an occupational surname for a trader or shopkeeper.
17. **Keating:** Irish, meaning "descendant of Cait," a given name meaning "pure" or "bright."
18. **Keenan:** Irish, meaning "descendant of Conn" or "handsome," referring to a famous Irish king.
19. **Keller:** German, meaning "cellar" or "basement," an occupational surname for someone who worked in a cellar.
20. **Kelly:** Irish, meaning "warlike" or "fierce," derived from the Gaelic word "ceallach."
21. **Kelsey:** English, meaning "from the spring" or "from the well," indicating a place of origin.
22. **Kendrick:** English, meaning "powerful ruler" or "king," a surname of Germanic origin.
23. **Kennedy:** Irish, meaning "descendant of Conn" or "handsome," referring to a famous Irish king.
24. **Kent:** English, meaning "from the region of Kent," a county in southeast England.
25. **Kenyon:** English, meaning "from the town of Kenyon," a place in Lancashire, England.
26. **Kern:** German, meaning "kernel" or "grain," possibly an occupational surname for a farmer or miller.
27. **Kerr:** Scottish, meaning "black" or "dark," derived from the Gaelic word "cearr."
28. **Keyes:** English, meaning "keeper of the keys" or "gatekeeper," an occupational surname.
29. **Kidd:** Scottish, meaning "child" or "little one," a nickname for a young person.
30. **Kiefer:** German, meaning "jaw" or "chin," possibly a nickname for a person with a strong jawline.
31. **Kilgore:** Scottish, meaning "from the church on the hill" or "from the church in the valley," indicating a place of origin.
32. **Kim:** Korean, meaning "golden" or "precious," a surname with origins in both Korean and Chinese cultures.
33. **King:** English, meaning "ruler" or "monarch," a surname given to those who held a royal title.
34. **Kinney:** Irish, meaning "descendant of Cinnéide" or "descendant of Conn," referring to a famous Irish king.
35. **Kirk:** Scottish, meaning "church" or "chapel," indicating a place of origin near a church.
36. **Klein:** German, meaning "small" or "little," often used as a nickname for someone of shorter stature.
37. **Kline:** German, meaning "small" or "little," often used as a nickname for someone of shorter stature.
38. **Knapp:** German, meaning "knapsack" or "bag," possibly an occupational surname for someone who made or carried knapsacks.
39. **Knight:** English, meaning "mounted warrior" or "cavalier," a surname given to those who served as knights in medieval times.
40. **Koch:** German, meaning "cook" or "chef," an occupational surname for someone who prepared food.