1,065 Global Karel Family Members

Karel Family History

This most interesting surname recorded in a wide range of spellings from Carl, Carlo, and Charles, to Carletti, De Carlo and Karlowicz, is usually of pre 5th century Germanic origins. It originates from the personal name "Karl or Carl", meaning "man", and which was later Latinized to "Carolus". This personal name gave rise to the Old French spelling of "Charles", introduced into England by the Normans after the 1066 Invasion, but was never popularized until the Stuart period commencing in 1603. In France it was popular from an early date owing to the fame of the Emperor Charlemagne, (Charles the Great), King of the Franks (742-814).