Name Directory by Last Name: Last Names Starting with Ka

The surname Kane has its historical roots primarily in Ireland, deriving from the Gaelic name "O'Cathain," which means "descendant of Cathan." The name Cathan itself is believed to be derived from the word "cath," meaning "battle." The O'Cathain clan was historically associated with the province of Ulster, particularly in County Antrim, where they were known as a prominent family. Over time, the surname evolved, with variations appearing in different regions, and it became anglicized to Kane.

The surname Kay has historical roots that can be traced back to various origins, primarily in England and Scotland. In England, it is believed to derive from the Old Welsh name "Cai," which means "rejoice" or "to be glad," and is often associated with the legendary figure Sir Kay, a knight of King Arthur's Round Table.

The surname Kaiser has its roots in the German language, deriving from the word "Kaiser," which means "emperor." This term was historically used to denote the rulers of the Holy Roman Empire, and the surname likely originated as a title for those who held positions of power or influence within the empire. The earliest recorded instances of the surname can be traced back to the medieval period in Germany, where it was associated with nobility and landowners.

The surname Kaufman has its roots in the German-speaking regions of Europe, particularly among Jewish communities, where it is derived from the Yiddish word "kauf," meaning "to buy" or "to purchase." Historically, Kaufman was often associated with merchants or traders, reflecting the economic roles that many of its bearers played in their communities. The name likely emerged in the Middle Ages, a period marked by the growth of trade and commerce, and it became a common surname among those engaged in buying and selling goods.

The surname Katz has its roots in the Hebrew word "Kohen," which means "priest." Historically, it is believed to have originated among Jewish communities in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in Germany and Poland, where it was often used to denote descendants of the priestly class. The name Katz is an acronym derived from the Hebrew phrase "Kohen Tzedek," meaning "righteous priest." Over time, the surname became associated with various occupations, particularly in religious and scholarly roles, as many bearers of the name were involved in the Jewish clergy or in teaching roles within their communities.

The surname Kaplan has its roots in the Hebrew word "kaplan," which means "falcon" or "hawk." Historically, it is believed to have originated among Jewish communities in Eastern Europe, particularly in Poland and Russia, where it was often adopted by families engaged in occupations related to the natural world, such as hunting or falconry. The name may also have been used metaphorically to signify someone with keen insight or sharp intellect, traits associated with the bird of prey.

The surname Kahn has its historical roots in the Hebrew word "Kohen," which means "priest." This surname is often associated with the descendants of the ancient Jewish priestly class, the Kohanim, who were responsible for performing sacred duties in the Temple in Jerusalem. The name Kahn, along with its variations such as Cohen, Cohn, and Kagan, emerged prominently in Jewish communities across Europe, particularly in Germany and Eastern Europe, during the Middle Ages.

The surname Kaye has its historical roots primarily in England, with its earliest appearances dating back to the medieval period. The name is believed to derive from the Old English word "cā," meaning "a key," which may have originally referred to someone who was a key bearer or a person of importance in a community, possibly a gatekeeper or someone responsible for access to a particular area.

The surname Kauffman has its historical roots in the German-speaking regions of Europe, particularly among Jewish communities. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "kauffman," which translates to "merchant" or "trader." This occupational surname likely emerged in the medieval period, reflecting the economic roles of individuals who engaged in trade and commerce.

The surname Karlsson has its roots in Scandinavia, particularly in Sweden, where it is derived from the patronymic naming tradition. The name literally means "son of Karl," with "Karl" being a common given name that translates to "man" or "free man" in Old Norse.

The surname Kaufmann has its roots in the German-speaking regions of Europe, deriving from the Middle High German word "kauffman," which translates to "merchant" or "trader." This occupational surname first appeared in the medieval period, particularly in the 12th century, as trade began to flourish in towns and cities across Germany. Kaufmanns were often associated with commerce, and their roles were crucial in the development of trade networks, contributing to the economic growth of their communities.

The surname Kato has its historical roots primarily in Japan, where it is often associated with the kanji characters 加藤, which can be translated to mean "increasing wisteria." The name is believed to have originated during the feudal period, particularly among samurai families, and has been linked to various regions in Japan, notably the Kanto area. Over time, the Kato family name became prominent among the samurai class, with members often holding significant social roles and occupations, including military leaders and landowners.

The surname Kavanagh has its roots in Ireland, specifically deriving from the Gaelic name "Caomhánach," which means "descendant of Caomhán," a personal name that translates to "gentle" or "kind." The Kavanaghs are historically associated with the province of Leinster, particularly in County Carlow, where they were prominent as a Gaelic noble family. The name first appeared in historical records in the 12th century, and over time, the Kavanaghs became known for their leadership roles within the local Gaelic society, often serving as chieftains and landowners.

The surname Karl has its roots in the Germanic name "Karl," which means "man" or "free man." It first appeared in historical records during the early Middle Ages, particularly in regions that are now part of modern-day Germany and Scandinavia. The name gained prominence through figures such as Charlemagne (Karl der Große), who was a pivotal ruler in the Carolingian Empire.

The surname Karr has historical roots that can be traced back to various regions, particularly in Europe. It is believed to have originated from the Old Norse word "karr," meaning "rough" or "barren," which may have been used to describe a geographical feature or a person's character.

The surname Kaminski has its roots in Eastern Europe, particularly in Poland, where it is derived from the word "kamień," meaning "stone." This suggests that the name may have originally been a topographical surname for someone living near a notable stone or rocky area, or it could have been occupational, referring to a stonemason or someone who worked with stone. The surname first appeared in historical records in the late Middle Ages, with variations emerging as families migrated or settled in different regions.

The surname Kasper has its roots in the given name "Caspar," which is derived from the Persian name "Ghazpar," meaning "treasurer." Historically, the name is most commonly associated with one of the Three Wise Men, or Magi, who visited Jesus after his birth, often depicted as a figure of wisdom and wealth. The surname Kasper first appeared in Europe during the Middle Ages, particularly in German-speaking regions, where it was adopted as a family name.

The surname Kayser has its historical roots in the German-speaking regions of Europe, particularly in Germany and Austria. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "keiser," which means "emperor" or "caesar," indicating a noble or high-ranking lineage.

The surname Karloff has its historical roots in Eastern Europe, particularly among Slavic populations. It is believed to derive from the given name "Karl," which means "man" or "free man" in Germanic languages, combined with the Slavic suffix "-off," indicating "son of" or "descendant of." The surname likely first appeared in the 19th century, as surnames became more standardized in the region.

The surname Katona has its roots in Hungary, deriving from the Hungarian word "katona," which means "soldier." This occupational surname likely originated in the medieval period when individuals were often identified by their professions or roles within society. The name reflects a time when military service was a significant aspect of life, particularly in the context of the Kingdom of Hungary, which faced numerous invasions and conflicts.