Kaelin Family History & Genealogy

Summary

It is my understanding that the Kaelin name, in it's original spelling of "Kälin", holds Swiss Citizenship prior to 1800. This name originated in the town of Einsiedeln, Canton Schwyz, Switzerland.
It has been suggested that a Kälin may have been involved with the forming of the Swiss Confederation, although to my knowledge there is no evidence to support this theory.
It has also been suggested that there has been a Kälin serving in the Swiss Guard for hundreds of years, possibly since it's inception.
In Switzerland the name is spelled "Kälin"; in America it has been consistently spelled "Kaelin".

History

A Short Article From The Einsiedler Gazette
KALIN. Old Einsiedler forest people, who are represented In all quarters with numerous families. Many clergymen, monks and nuns came from them. Peter Kalin from Einsiedeln, born 1700, died 1762, became Abbot of the monastery of Wettingen in 1745, Many of this name are also represented among Einsiedler artists. Konrad Anton Kalin from Langruti was a painter and executed pictures on the side altars in 1752, St. Anton and Brother Klaus, in the church in Willerzell. Meinrad Kalin, born 1790, died1834, painted miniature portraits at first, later landscapes in water color, that he etched in copper himself, especially of Gotthardstrasse for Fusslin in Zurich. Josef Kalin, Carver, carved for Pfaffikon about 1693 the statues of St. Josef and St. Anna and in 1704 a crucifix, and simultaneously a Mater Dolorosa for the monastery in Fahr. This Josef Kalin is not the same sculptor of the same name, who according to the death regster drowned on 2 April 1709:>>Josephis Kalin, lapicida. Aquia submersus

Name Origin

The name supposedly comes from the German word "Kehle", which means throat.
According to the LDS website:
Kaelin
South German (also Kälin ): of uncertain origin. Perhaps a nickname from Swiss German chäli 'weak old man with an unsteady gait'.
--A Dictionary of American Family Names © Patrick Hanks and Flavia Hodges 1990, 2003, 2006

Spellings & Pronunciations

Kalin

Nationality & Ethnicity

It is my understanding that the name Kaelin, in it's original spelling of "Kalin", holds Swiss Citizenship prior to 1800. The name originated in the town of Einsiedeln, Canton Schwyz, Switzerland. Kalins make up about one-third of the names and is the largest surname group in the town. The earliest mention of the name is from about the 1300s and the first time this name appears on any document was in August 1319.
In 1609, all families in Einsiedeln obtained a Stamm-Number. The Kalin Clan, whose numbers consist of 48 lines, obtained the numbers 78 through 120.

Famous People named Kaelin

Urs Kaelin - member of the Swiss National Ski Team; won silver medal in 1994 Olympics
Stefan Kaelin - two time Olympian on Swiss Ski Team; owns Ski Shop in Aspen, Colorado
Brian "Kato" Kaelin - actor: star witness in murder trial of O.J. Simpson
Forest Kaelin - horse trainer for Crimson Classic (finished 11th in 1997 Kentucky Derby )
Monika Kaelin - folk singer
Kaelin's Restaurant - Louisville, Kentucky. Claims to have invented the cheeseburger

Early Kaelins

These are the earliest records we have of the Kaelin family.