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

Kieling, 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 Kieling surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Kieling in America

Kieling is the 123314th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kieling surname appeared 129 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Kieling.

The history of the last name Kieling

The surname Kieling has its origins in Germany, likely dating back to the medieval period when surnames first began to be commonly adopted. The name is thought to be derived from a geographical or topographical feature, possibly related to the Old High German word "kül," meaning "cool" or "cold," indicating a person who lived near a cool place, such as a spring or a shady grove. The suffix "-ing" could denote belonging or association, perhaps implying "people of the cool spot" or "inhabitants of the cold area."

Historically, the Kieling name has appeared in various records and documents. One of the earliest mentions of a similar name can be found in 13th-century charters in Northern Germany. The name may have had different spellings in old manuscripts, including variations like "Keiling," "Kielig," or even "Kühlen," as spelling was not standardized, and names were written phonetically according to the scribe's interpretation.

The earliest recorded individual with a variation of the Kieling surname might be Hermann Kieling, born around 1250, mentioned in a local document relating to property transactions in the region of Saxony. Later, in the 1450s, a Hans Kieling appears in municipal records in the town of Brandenburg, associated with civic duties and local trade.

In the 16th century, the name is found in the context of religious and social movements within the Holy Roman Empire. Johannes Kieling, born in 1523 and died in 1598, was a notable figure in Wittenberg who participated in Protestant reforms and wrote several theological treatises. His contributions to religious scholarship brought some prominence to the surname, especially in academic circles.

Entering the 17th century, another significant figure is Wilhelmina Kieling, born in 1645, known for her involvement in early educational reforms in Hamburg. Her work in establishing schools for girls advanced education prospects for women, making her a notable bearer of the Kieling name in historical records.

The 18th century saw the name Kieling associated with military service. Dietrich Kieling, born in 1760, achieved some recognition as a cavalry officer in the Prussian Army during the Napoleonic Wars, particularly noted for his role at the Battle of Jena in 1806.

In addition to these individuals, the Kieling name has appeared in various regions across Germany, with town records from Hanover to Bavaria listing individuals engaged in trade, politics, and local governance. Each historical mention enriches the tapestry of the Kieling surname, tracing its evolution from medieval roots to notable contributions in various fields across centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kieling

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Kieling 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.

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 Kieling was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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