The history of Kehlen goes back at least to Gallo-Roman period. Celtic tombs have been excavated in nearby Nospelt and a necropolis from the 1st century was discovered in the early 1970s on the Juckelsboesch plateau between Mamer and Kehlen. A beautiful dark blue glass bowl was among the offerings found there.^[2]

A monument to the four gods depicting Juno, Minerva, Mercury and Hercules, possibly once the base of a Jupiter Column, was discovered on the heights of Schoenberg at the point where two Roman roads once crossed.^[3] The original is now in the National Museum of History and Art but a replica can be seen beside the entrance to the Schoenberg cemetery.^[4]

Schoenberg is one of the oldest parishes in Luxembourg. It came under the authority of the St. Maximin's Abbey, Trier, as far back as 1637. The cemetery is classified as a national monument as many of the gravestones are from the beginning of the 16th century.

Until fairly recently, Kehlen was a farming community with a few cottage industries. Today, owing to its proximity to Luxembourg City (about 25 minutes by car outside the city), most of its inhabitants now work in the service sector.^[5]

The name Kehlen is said to originate from Callidovilla meaning the villa of Callidus.

Kehlen is twinned with:^[7]

• Meckenbeuren, Germany