NameCensus.

UK surname

Koehler

An occupational surname referring to a person who made charcoal or lived near a charcoal kiln.

In the 1881 census there were 11 people recorded with the Koehler surname, ranking it #32,081 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 114, ranked #28,515, up from #32,081 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Hams, Stranraer West and Westminster.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Koehler is 117 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 936.4%.

1881 census count

11

Ranked #32,081

Modern count

114

2016, ranked #28,515

Peak year

2014

117 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Koehler had 11 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,081 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 114 in 2016, ranked #28,515.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 16 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Koehler surname distribution map

The map shows where the Koehler surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Koehler surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Koehler over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1881 historical 11 #32,081
1891 historical 16 #32,868
1901 historical 12 #32,772
1911 historical 10 #32,609
1997 modern 93 #27,932
1998 modern 97 #28,054
1999 modern 87 #29,398
2000 modern 89 #29,173
2001 modern 84 #29,508
2002 modern 86 #29,771
2003 modern 83 #30,088
2004 modern 87 #29,897
2005 modern 84 #30,359
2006 modern 87 #30,292
2007 modern 95 #29,493
2008 modern 103 #28,519
2009 modern 103 #29,127
2010 modern 105 #29,453
2011 modern 101 #29,938
2012 modern 101 #30,078
2013 modern 108 #29,379
2014 modern 117 #28,109
2015 modern 116 #28,151
2016 modern 114 #28,515

Geography

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Where Koehlers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Hams, Stranraer West, Westminster, Stranraer South and Tameside. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Hams 005 South Hams
2 Stranraer West Dumfries and Galloway
3 Westminster 021 Westminster
4 Stranraer South Dumfries and Galloway
5 Tameside 014 Tameside

Forenames

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First names often paired with Koehler

These lists show first names that appear often with the Koehler surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Koehler

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Koehler, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Koehler surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Koehler household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Koehler is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Koehler is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Koehler falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Koehler is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Koehler, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Koehler

The surname KOEHLER originated in Germany and is derived from the Middle High German word "kuohler", meaning a charcoal burner or collier. The name first emerged in the 12th century and referred to individuals who were involved in the production of charcoal, an important fuel source at the time.

The earliest recorded instances of the KOEHLER surname can be found in medieval records and documents from various regions of Germany, such as Saxony, Bavaria, and the Rhineland. The name was particularly prevalent in areas with significant forests and charcoal-burning activities.

One of the earliest known references to the KOEHLER surname is found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae, a collection of historical documents from Saxony, dating back to the 13th century. The name is also mentioned in the Würzburger Lehenbücher, a record of fiefdoms in Franconia, from the 14th century.

Matthias KOEHLER (c. 1520-1592), a German theologian and reformer from Silesia, is one of the notable historical figures bearing this surname. He played a significant role in the spread of Protestantism in the region.

Johann Tobias KOEHLER (1720-1768), a German engraver and artist, is another prominent individual with this surname. His works, including illustrations for books and engravings of landscapes and architecture, are highly regarded in the art world.

In the 19th century, Wilhelm KOEHLER (1833-1914), a German botanist and bryologist, made significant contributions to the study of mosses and liverworts. His extensive collections and research furthered the understanding of these plant groups.

Gustav KOEHLER (1888-1975), a German-American artist and illustrator, is known for his illustrations in various publications, including magazines and children's books. His work was widely admired for its artistic style and attention to detail.

The KOEHLER surname has also been associated with certain place names in Germany, such as Köhlersmühle (KOEHLER's Mill) and Köhlershütte (KOEHLER's Hut), reflecting the historical connection between the name and the charcoal-burning profession.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Koehler families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Koehler surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lanarkshire leads with 10 Koehlers recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.84x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 10 28.84x
Hampshire 1 4.55x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barony in Lanarkshire leads with 10 Koehlers recorded in 1881 and an index of 113.90x.

Place Total Index
Barony 10 113.90x
Portsmouth 1 196.08x

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Koehler surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
E. 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Koehler households.

Occupation Count
Sailmaker Merchant Seaman 1

FAQ

Koehler surname: questions and answers

How common was the Koehler surname in 1881?

In 1881, 11 people were recorded with the Koehler surname. That placed it at #32,081 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Koehler surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 114 in 2016. That gives Koehler a modern rank of #28,515.

What does the Koehler surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a person who made charcoal or lived near a charcoal kiln.

What does the Koehler map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Koehler bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.