111 Last Names That Start With K With Meanings And History

Georgia Stone
Feb 15, 2024 By Georgia Stone
Originally Published on Nov 08, 2020
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Are you looking for last names starting with K?

Your search for surnames beginning with K ends here. Understand and explore the history and meanings of these last names starting with K collected from the respective country's census results.

Whether you're looking to explore a country's culture or framing a character's personality with last names, you will find the right surname beginning with your letter of choice, K.

For more last name ideas, take a look at Slavic Surnames and Last Names That Start With S.

Russian Last Names That Start With K

The last names that start with K are few but ubiquitous, according to Russia's census data. In Russian culture, the last name is only used during official occasions or documents.

It is usually followed with the Russian equivalent of Miss or Mrs, or Mister, as applicable. While some last names are derived from ancestors' names, many have taken their meaning from the common occupations or native places. According to their rank in popularity, every common last name in Russia is mentioned in the following list:

1.Konstantinov isused by the successors of Konstantin.

2.Kovalchuk is derived from a native word meaning "blacksmith".

3.Kovalev means "blacksmith".

4.Kozlov refers to a "goatherd".

5.Krupin is derived from a Russian word meaning grains.

6.Kuznetsov is an occupational last name used by blacksmiths.

Hawaiian Last Names That Start With K

The last names starting with K have a higher rank in Hawaiian culture because of their popularity. Despite being a part of the United States, Hawaii has a distinguished reputation because of its culture and traditions.

Earlier, when the Europeans came to the Pacific island of Hawaii, they brought with them the culture of last names.

Hawaiians started taking their father's name as last names or the occupation because they found no other alternative. Listed below are the most common last names that start with 'K' in the Hawaiian region:

7.Kahale means "house".

8.Kahele means "to go".

9.Kahue means "gourd".

10.Kalama means "torch".

11.Kalawai'a is an occupational surname for fishermen.

12.Kalili means "jealousy".

13.Kalua means "a companion".

14.Kama means a "child".

15.Kamaka means "an eye or a bud".

16.Kameāloha means the "beloved one" in the native language.

17.Kapule means "magic or occult".

18.Kawai means "water".

19.Kaʻanāʻanā means "black magic".

20.Kaʻaukai is an occupational surname, meaning "seafarer".

21.Kaʻuhane means "spirit or soul".

22.Keahi means "fire".

23.Kealoha means "love or affection".

24.Keawe denotes a "twisted string or a strand".

25.Kekoa means "a warrior".

26.Keliʻi is typical for a nobleman or chief in ancient times.

Japanese Last Names That Start With K

Last names that start with K are widely used in Japan. The search for a good last name is essential for developing a character as their culture lays deep importance on it.

The census data of Japan revealed that there are thousands of people with last names starting with K. In the Japanese tradition, the last name is followed by the first name. When you search for their tradition, you will notice that the Japanese don't use their first names unless they are familiar with each other.

This makes it essential to search for a suitable last name.

But don't worry. We have a list of the best names beginning with K to help you in your search.

27.Kamiya means "God" or "valley".

28.Kanda means "God".

29.Kato means "increase", "add", or someone from Fujiwara clan.

30.Katou is derived from the word "Kanji".

31.Kawaguchi refers to "a place where a river enters the ocean".

32.Kawakami means "upper stream".

33.Kawasaki means "peninsula" or "cape".

34.Kazama means "between the wind".

35.Kimura means "village tree".

36.Kishimoto means "river" or "shore".

37.Kita refers to the North direction.

38.Kitagawa means a "river in the north".

39.Kobayashi is a commonly used name that means "small forest".

40.Koizumi is a commonly used name that denotes a "small fountain".

41.Konishi is a commonly used name that means "small and west".

42.Kubo refers to someone protecting from a long time ago.

43.Kumagai is a commonly used name that means a "bear from the valley".

44.Kurosawa is a common rank name, meaning "black marsh".

45.Kuroda is a commonly used name that means "black field".

Common Last Names That Start With K

Looking for familiar last name that start with K? Start your search in this section that lists various last names beginning with K from different countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Poland, and Hungary.

In your search for the best name with K, search alphabetically in this list cumulated from census results. Their details of origin and meaning are also mentioned below.

46.Kaczka (Polish Origin) is one of the common surnames beginning with K and refers to "a duck".

47.Kadar (Hungarian Origin) is an occupational name meaning "barrel maker".

48.Kader (Arabic Origin) an alternative to Qadir and is one of the common last names starting with K.

49.Kadlek (Czech Origin) refers to "a weaver".

50.Kafka (Czech Origin) means "jackdaw" in the local language.

51.Kahler (German Origin) is one of the commonly used surnames beginning with K and means "bald".

52.Kaiser (German Origin) means "an emperor".

53.Kalmar (Hungarian Origin) means "shopkeeper".

54.Kalnins (Latvian Origin) means "hill or mountain" in the native language and is one of the common K surnames.

55.Kaloyanchev (Bulgarian Origin) was being given to the successors of "Kaloyan".

56.Kaloyanov (Bulgarian Origin) is another name given to Kaloyan's successors.

57.Kaluza (Polish Origin) is one of the common last names that start with K and means "puddle".

58.Kamau (East African Origin) of the commonly used last names that start with K and means "quiet warrior".

59.Kaminski (Polish Origin) is a name given to a stonecutter.

60.Kang (Korean Origin) is a variant of "Jiang" and is one of the common last names starting with K.

61.Kanwal (Indian Origin) is one of the common last names starting with K and means "water lily".

62.Kapoor (Indian Origin) is one of the common last names starting with K meaning "Camphor".

63.Kappel (German Origin) refers to someone who lived or worked near a chapel.

64.Kardos (Hungarian Origin) is one of the common last names starting with K and means "sword" in the native language.

65.Karga (Turkish Origin) is a surname starting with K and means "crow".

66.Karim, (Arabic Origin) is a surname starting with K and means "generous".

67.Karimi (Arabic Origin) is a variant of "Karim" and is one of the common surnames starting with K.

68.Kariuki (East African Origin) means "the resurrected one".

69.Karl (German Origin) is one of the common surnames starting with K and refers to a "free man".

70.Karlsen, (Danish Origin) refers to the successor of Karl.

71.Karpathy (Hungarian Origin) is one of the common surnames starting with K and is a form of "Karpati".

72.Karppinen (German Origin) is one of the common surnames that people search on the internet and means "carp".

73.Karstensen (Danish Origin) is given to the successors of "Karsten".

74.Kartel (Turkish Origin) means "eagle" in the local language.

75.Kask (Estonian Origin) is one of the last names that start with K and is a "birch" in the local language.

76.Kaspar (Czech Origin) is one of the last names that start with K means "treasurer".

77.Kaspersen (Danish Origin) is given to the successors to "Kaspar".

78.Kasprzak (Polish Origin) is given to the successors of "Kaspar".

79.Kastner (German Origin) is an occupational name, meaning "cabinet maker".

80.Kasun (Croatian Origin) is one of the last names that start with K means to "command or order".

81.Katirci (Turkish Origin) is one of the last names that start with K and refers to someone who transports by a mule.

82.Katona (Hungarian Origin) refers to a "soldier" in the local language.

83.Kaube (German Origin) is someone from Kaub town.

84.Kaufer (German Origin) is one of the common last names means "trader".

85.Kaur (Indian Origin) name starts with K that means "a princess".

86.Kavanagh (Irish Origin) is a name that starts with K and means a student of Caomhan.

87.Kay (English Origin) name starts with K that refers to "someone who worked near a wharf".

88.Keen (English Origin) one of the common last names and means "brave or bold".

89.Keighley (English Origin) refers to a place that belongs to Cyhha.

90.Kellogg (English Origin) is one of the common last names that means a "pig butcher".

91.Kelsey (English Origin) is one of the common last names that means a "fierce island".

92.Kemp (English Origin) is one of the common last names that means a "warrior" or a "champion".

93.Kendall (United States Origin) refers to someone who came from Kendel, England.

94.Kendrick (English Origin) is taken from the name "Cenric".

95.Kennard (United States Origin) is taken from "Cyneheard".

96.Kerry (United States Origin) is another name for "Kendrick".

97.Keyes (English Origin) is another name for "Kay".

98.Kidd (English Origin) is one of the common last names that means a "kid or young goat".

99.Killam (English Origin) is someone who came from Kilham town.

100.Kimball (English Origin) is derived from "Cynbel".

101.Kimberley (English Origin) means the "field of Cynebald".

102.Kingsley (English Origin) means a "place for king's clearing".

103.Kipling (English Origin) means "the people of Cyppel".

104.Kirk (English Origin) is one of the common last names that means "a church".

105.Kitchen (English Origin) refers to someone who worked in a kitchen.

106.Klab (German Origin) is one of the common last names starting with K which means "calf".

107.Klabfleisch (German Origin) was being given to veal-dealing butchers.

108.Knaggs (English Origin) is one of the last names that means "a small mound or projection".

109.Knight (English Origin) is one of the last names that means "a mounted soldier".

110. Knowles (English Origin) is one of the last names that means "a small hill".

111. Kulkarni (Indian Origin) is one of the last names that means "root of the family".

Kidadl has lots of great names articles to inspire you. If you liked our suggestions for Last Names That Start With K then why not take a look at Breton Last Names, or for something different take a look at Water Names.

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Written by Georgia Stone

Bachelor of Arts specializing in French with Film Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Year Abroad) specializing in Literature, History, Language, Media, and Art

Georgia Stone picture

Georgia StoneBachelor of Arts specializing in French with Film Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Year Abroad) specializing in Literature, History, Language, Media, and Art

Georgia is an experienced Content Manager with a degree in French and Film Studies from King's College London and Bachelors degree from Université Paris-Sorbonne. Her passion for exploring the world and experiencing different cultures was sparked during her childhood in Switzerland and her year abroad in Paris. In her spare time, Georgia enjoys using London's excellent travel connections to explore further afield.

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