Surname Koller - Meaning and Origin

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The journey with iGENEA was a deeply emotional and impactful experience. The DNA test revealed the ancient origins of the surname Koller, connecting me to a heritage I didn't know existed and reshaping my understanding of my own identity.

T. Koller

Koller: What does the surname Koller mean?

The last name Koller is a German or Central European surname derived from the Middle High German word kole or the Middle Low German kuller meaning “trapper, turkey wrangler,” referring to a person who raised, trapped, or tracked turkeys. It is thought to have been first documented in the 13th century as part of a larger, occupational class of surnames in which people assumed names based on their job or profession.

The Koller surname is not common, but it has variant spellings such as Kollers, Kohler, Kohlers, Kuller, Kullers, and Kollerich. It is most likely of German and Central European origin and is found mainly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also found in some parts of the United States, mainly among those of German heritage.

The Koller surname is thought to have initially referred to a farmer, who raised turkeys and other poultry. The name may also have developed from an extended family or a place of origin, such as a particular village or area. Today, people with the last name Koller are located all over the world, primarily in Europe, the United States, and Canada.

Koller: Where does the name Koller come from?

Koller is an Austrian last name found most commonly in Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Liechtenstein. It is also present in some parts of the United States, particularly the Midwestern and Northeastern states.

The etymological root of the surname ‘Koller’ is derived from the middle high German word ‘Kolle’, meaning ‘a rocky hill or mountain top.’ This origin likely implies that some original bearers of the Koller name may have lived in the mountainous regions of Central Europe rather than in the more populated plains.

Koller is more than a Germanic surname; it’s also shared by many other ethnicities around the world, including Italians, Scandinavians, and French. The spelling may vary slightly depending on the language or dialect of the country in which it is found, e.g. Köhler in German, Kollars in Hungarian, and Kollers in Dutch.

In the United States, the highest concentration of people with the last name Koller can be found in Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio. According to the US census, over 10,000 people hold this surname.

Koller is a surname of fairly uncommon occurrence, which makes it quite rare. Nevertheless, its spread has been significant enough to suggest the prosperity of its original bearers over the centuries, and this fact alone stands as a testament to its worthiness.

Variations of the surname Koller

The surname Koller can have many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.

One variant of the surname is Köller, which is a German spelling of the name. In some French-speaking countries, the surname might be spelled Köllé or Kölle. It may also be spelled Coller or Köller in some English-speaking countries.

Another variant is Kölbl, often found in Austria and Germany. The mutated form Kohlbl is also used in some regions.

In Jewish pronunciation, the surname might be spelled Kolle.

The surname might be spelled "Kölle" in Lower Saxony and "Köhlle" in North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. It may be spelled Kolle in the Alsace region of France.

The surnames Coller, Coler, Köhler, Kohler, Koller-Ebbmer, Kollman, Kollmeyer, Koller-Andritz, Kollinger, Kölln, Köllner, Kollmann, Coeller and Colin may all be surnames of the same origin as Koller.

These variants may have a different spelling but all originate from the same surname. They all have the same meaning of Koller, which typically refers to a seller of charcoal or services, can also mean "miner" or "charcoal maker."

Famous people with the name Koller

• Margaret Koller: American T.V. actress best known for her roles on the shows Three’s Company, Charlie’s Angels, and Starman.
• Constantin Koller: Austrian actor renowned for his film appearances in popular titles such as Die Saturday-Night-Show, Unantastbar and Brennendes Geheimnis.
• Zac Koller: American film and television actor with appearances in the films 20 Weeks and Red Oaks, as well as guest appearances on Law & Order: SVU and Orange Is the New Black.
• Luca Koller: Swiss artist and architect, best known for his wooden sculptures, such as his popular Temple of Wind series.
• Dave Koller: American musician and songwriter, one half of popular alternative folk duo, The Spring Standards.
• Jenő Koller: Hungarian chess master who competed in the World Chess Championship in 1974.
• Lawrence Koller: American artist and sculptor, winner of the National Endowment for the Arts and Gottlieb Foundation Fellowship.
• David Koller: Czech rock musician and composer, a founding member of the band Lucie, as well as former frontman of Additional Hemorrhage.
• Lou'ana Koller: Brazilian multimedia artist best known for her photography and Draw It Out: an art therapy program for teenagers.
• Diana Koller: Austrian snowboarder and former member of the National Freeski Team.

Other surnames

KolleKöllenKollersKollert