Find out how popular the last name Kayl is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Kayl.

Kayl, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Kayl surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kayl in America

Kayl is the 66164th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kayl surname appeared 299 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Kayl.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kayl to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Kayl

The surname "KAYL" originates from Germany, with its roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old German word "kahil," which translates to "bald" or "hairless." This name was likely given as a descriptive nickname to an individual who exhibited this physical characteristic.

During the 13th century, variations of the name, such as "Kahyl" and "Kahl," appeared in historical records from the regions of Bavaria and Saxony. One of the earliest known references can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae, a collection of Saxon charters and documents from the 12th to the 15th centuries.

In the 14th century, the name "Kayl" emerged as a more common spelling, particularly in the town of Kayl, located in the modern-day state of Saarland, Germany. This town's name is thought to have influenced the surname's evolution, as it was a common practice for individuals to adopt place names as their surnames.

One notable bearer of the surname "Kayl" was Johann Kayl, a German painter and engraver who lived from 1637 to 1715. His works, primarily religious in nature, can be found in various churches and museums across Germany.

Another prominent figure was Friedrich Kayl, a German theologian and philosopher born in 1756. He authored several influential works on ethics and moral philosophy, and his teachings had a significant impact on the intellectual discourse of his time.

In the 19th century, the name "Kayl" gained recognition through the works of the German poet and novelist, Karoline Kayl. Born in 1812, her literary contributions were highly regarded, and she is often mentioned alongside the renowned writers of the Romantic era.

Across the Atlantic, one of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "Kayl" in America dates back to the late 18th century. Johann Kayl, a German immigrant, settled in Pennsylvania in 1783 and established a successful farming community.

Throughout history, the surname "Kayl" has undergone various spellings, including "Kahl," "Kail," and "Cayle," reflecting regional variations and the influence of local dialects. Despite these variations, the name's essence remains rooted in its German origins and the descriptive meaning of "bald" or "hairless."

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kayl

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Kayl.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Kayl was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Kayl has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Kayl was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Kayl, please contact us.

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