German Last Names Beginning With K: A Comprehensive Guide

Looking for a unique and meaningful German last name that starts with the letter K? This comprehensive guide provides a detailed list of over 40 German surnames, exploring their origins and rich historical significance. Whether you're searching for inspiration for a character in your next novel, exploring your family history, or simply interested in the fascinating world of German names, this resource offers a captivating journey through the diverse and captivating landscape of German last names beginning with K.
1. **Kachel:** meaning "tile," likely referring to a person who worked with or made tiles.
2. **Kaden:** meaning "valley," possibly indicating a place of origin or a characteristic of the family's ancestral home.
3. **Kaefer:** meaning "beetle," potentially a nickname given to someone who resembled a beetle or who was associated with beetles in some way.
4. **Kahle:** meaning "bald," a descriptive surname that could have originated from a physical characteristic of the first bearer.
5. **Kaiser:** meaning "emperor," a powerful surname likely given to someone who held a position of authority or who was associated with the imperial court.
6. **Kalb:** meaning "calf," likely a nickname for someone who was young or who had a gentle nature.
7. **Kallen:** meaning "little John," a diminutive form of the name "Johannes," likely used to differentiate between individuals with the same name.
8. **Kallmeyer:** meaning "John's meadow," possibly indicating a place of origin or the location of the family's ancestral home.
9. **Kaminski:** a Polish surname meaning "from the stone," indicating the place of origin of the family.
10. **Kappes:** meaning "cabbage," likely a nickname for someone who grew or sold cabbage.
11. **Karger:** meaning "cart driver," a descriptive surname reflecting the profession of the first bearer.
12. **Kargus:** a variant of "Karger," indicating someone who drove a cart or wagon.
13. **Karl:** meaning "free man," a popular German name often used as a surname.
14. **Karstens:** a patronymic surname meaning "son of Karsten," indicating a lineage or familial connection.
15. **Katz:** meaning "cat," likely a nickname for someone who had a feline-like personality or who was associated with cats.
16. **Kaufmann:** meaning "merchant," a descriptive surname that reflects the profession of the first bearer.
17. **Kautz:** meaning "battle," potentially a nickname given to someone who was brave or who fought in a battle.
18. **Keil:** meaning "wedge," possibly a descriptive surname that refers to a physical characteristic or a tool used in the first bearer's profession.
19. **Keller:** meaning "cellar," likely indicating a place of origin or the location of the family's ancestral home.
20. **Kempf:** meaning "fighter," a descriptive surname that likely reflects the courage or martial skills of the first bearer.
21. **Kessler:** meaning "potter," a surname that reflects the profession of the first bearer, who likely worked with clay to create pots or other ceramics.
22. **Kietz:** meaning "small forest," likely indicating a place of origin or the location of the family's ancestral home.
23. **Kilian:** a German form of the Irish name "Cillian," meaning "church," potentially indicating someone who was involved with the church or who lived near a church.
24. **Kinkel:** meaning "little church," likely indicating a place of origin or a landmark near the family's ancestral home.
25. **Kirchner:** meaning "churchman," likely referring to someone who was involved with the church or who held a position of authority in the church.
26. **Klein:** meaning "small," a descriptive surname likely referring to the size or stature of the first bearer.
27. **Klingelhöfer:** a compound surname meaning "bell maker," likely referring to someone who crafted bells or who worked in a bell-making industry.
28. **Klocker:** meaning "bell ringer," a descriptive surname likely referring to someone who rang bells in a church or in another setting.
29. **Klose:** meaning "cloister," possibly indicating a place of origin or a location associated with a monastery or convent.
30. **Klüver:** meaning "clover," possibly a descriptive surname referring to a characteristic of the first bearer's appearance or personality.
31. **Koch:** meaning "cook," a descriptive surname reflecting the profession of the first bearer.
32. **Koenig:** meaning "king," a powerful surname likely given to someone who held a position of authority or who was associated with royalty.
33. **Kohler:** meaning "charcoal burner," a surname reflecting the profession of the first bearer, who likely produced charcoal from wood.
34. **Kolb:** meaning "flask," likely a nickname for someone who was associated with flasks or who carried one.
35. **Kolle:** meaning "colleague," likely a descriptive surname referring to someone who worked with others or who was part of a group.
36. **Kopf:** meaning "head," a descriptive surname likely referring to a physical characteristic of the first bearer.
37. **Kraft:** meaning "strength," a descriptive surname that likely reflects the physical power or resilience of the first bearer.
38. **Kramer:** meaning "merchant," a descriptive surname reflecting the profession of the first bearer, who likely bought and sold goods.
39. **Krebs:** meaning "crab," likely a nickname for someone who had a crab-like appearance or who was associated with crabs.
40. **Krueger:** meaning "innkeeper," a descriptive surname reflecting the profession of the first bearer, who likely ran a tavern or inn.
41. **Krumme:** meaning "crooked," likely a descriptive surname referring to a physical characteristic of the first bearer.
42. **Kuhn:** meaning "son," a patronymic surname indicating a lineage or familial connection.
43. **Kunze:** meaning "artist," a descriptive surname likely referring to someone who created art or who worked in a creative field.
44. **Kurtz:** meaning "short," likely a descriptive surname referring to the height or stature of the first bearer.
45. **Kuster:** meaning "church warden," a surname that reflects a position of authority in the church.
46. **Kutz:** meaning "short," similar to "Kurtz," likely a descriptive surname referring to the height of the first bearer.
47. **Kwiatkowski:** a Polish surname meaning "flowery," potentially a descriptive surname referring to a characteristic of the first bearer's appearance or personality.