The surname Kilb is of German origin, specifically from the Rhineland-Palatinate region. It is derived from various place names containing the element "Kil," which is believed to have come from the Old High German word "chil," meaning "hill" or "mound." Therefore, the name may originally have been a locational surname, denoting someone who lived near such a geographical feature. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of the name have varied, leading to different forms found in various regions and countries.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Kilb
The meaning and origin of the last name Kilb
Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...
Geographical distribution of the last name Kilb
The surname Kilb is primarily distributed across Germany and neighboring regions. It originates from the Old High German "Kilba" or "Chilpah," meaning "child of the war-leader." In present-day Germany, it is most prevalent in the southwestern states of Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate, as well as parts of Hesse. Kilb is also found in smaller numbers in Austria, Switzerland, and other Germanic regions due to historical migration patterns. Additionally, there are significant populations of people with the last name Kilb in the United States, particularly in states with high German ancestry such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Wisconsin, where it was often anglicized to Killb or Killup during immigration.
Variants and spellings of the last name Kilb
The surname Kilb has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Some common variants include Killib, Kylb, Killap, Killipp, Kileybe, Kielb, Killab, and Kilebo. These variations may arise from regional dialects, errors in record keeping, or changes in migration patterns. Additionally, the name could potentially have originated from different ethnic backgrounds, leading to further variations. For example, it could be of German or Scottish origin. The German variation might stem from a place name like Kiel or Killbach, while the Scottish form might be derived from the Gaelic Mac Eilbe (son of Eilbe). Regardless of the specific variant, they all share a common root in the original surname Kilb.
Famous people with the last name Kilb
Notable individuals with the surname Kilb include:
1. John D. Kilb (born 1943), an American mathematician who is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at University of Missouri–St. Louis, known for his work in functional analysis and operator theory.
2. Kathy Kilb (1957-2010), an American author who wrote numerous books for children, including the popular "Magic Tree House" series with her husband, Donna Jo Napoli.
3. James S. Kilb (born 1943), a retired United States Air Force major general who served as the director of public affairs at the Pentagon during the Gulf War.
4. Scott Kilb (born 1976), an American actor and writer, best known for his work in television shows such as "Boston Legal" and "The West Wing".
5. Thomas Kilb (born 1942), a German musician and composer who is the leader of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra.
Genealogical research on the last name Kilb
The surname Kilb is of German origin and is derived from various places named Kilsbach, Kilsdorf, and Kilbritt, all located in present-day Germany. The earliest recorded spelling of the name can be traced back to the late Middle Ages, specifically in the 15th century. Over time, variations such as Kielb, Keilb, Kihlb, and Killb have also been found, likely due to spelling variations common during that period. The Kilb family migrated from Germany to various parts of Europe and the Americas throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Notable individuals with this surname include American football player John L. Kilb (1876-1954) and German politician Karl Kilb (1863-1937). Genealogical research suggests that the Kilb family has diverse occupations in their history, including farmers, artisans, and public servants.
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated :
Share the origin of your last name with your friends
The surname Kil is of Old Norse origin, specifically from the word "kjöl," which means "churchyard" or "graveyard." It was a topographic name for someone who lived near a churchya...
The last name "Kila" does not have a specific origin associated with it. It is important to note that last names can have various origins and meanings depending on the region or co...
The surname Kiladjian is of Armenian origin. It is derived from various place names in historical Armenia, with "Kilaj" being a common element. For example, one possible origin cou...
The last name Kilakarai is of Indian origin, specifically from the Tamil Nadu region in southern India. It is most likely derived from the name of a village or town called Kilakara...
The last name "Kilakila" is of Hawaiian origin. It is derived from the Hawaiian word "kīlakila," which means "majestic" or "stately." This surname may have been given to individua...
The last name "Kilakkarai" likely originates from the place name Kilakarai, a town in the Ramanathapuram district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This name may indicate that the...
The surname Kilar is of uncertain origin. It may be derived from various sources. One possible origin is a locational name from a place called Kil-ar in County Down, Ireland. This ...
The last name Kilavathevar is of Tamil origin and is derived from the Tamil word "kilavu," which means "growth" or "development," and the suffix "-thevar," which translates to "god...
The surname Kilbane is an Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Mac Giobháin, which translates to "son of the little servant." It is a variant of the more common Irish surnames...
The surname Kilbert (or Kilby, Kilbey) is of Anglo-Saxon and Old French origin. It is a locational surname derived from places named Kilby or Killbeach in Gloucestershire, England,...
The surname Kilborn is of Scottish and Irish origin. In Scotland, it originated from places named Kilburn or Killburn, which come from Gaelic words "cille" (church) and "barn" (mou...
The surname Kildani is of Lebanese origin. It is derived from the word "Kildani," which means "someone from Kildan" in Arabic. Kildan is a village located in Lebanon.
The last name Kildare originated from the county of Kildare in Ireland. It is derived from the Gaelic name "Cill Dara," which means "church of the oak." The name likely refers to a...
The surname "Kilemba" has its origins in the Bantu language, specifically among the people of East Africa. It is likely derived from a word or place name within the Bantu language ...
