Surname Backfisch - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Backfisch: What does the surname Backfisch mean?
Backfisch is a German surname derived from the word "backfisch" which translates to "young fish". This term was once used to describe young, unskilled apprentices who would often work in the kitchen. The surname Backfisch is thought to have come about as an occupational name indicating someone who works in the kitchen, particularly in preparation of fish.
The surname can also be traced back to its ancient Germanic roots. Many names ending in "fish" are from a compound element meaning "kinship or bond". The English term "kinship" translates to "Verwandtschaft" in German, and the word "fish", refers to the substrate and bond between two people.
Backfisch is not a very common surname today, but it was once a popular name in Eastern Germany during the Middle Ages. During this time, it was chosen as a way of preserving an important part of German culture. Today, it is still used as a way of remembering the noble and hardworking roots of the German people. As such, the surname Backfisch carries a significance of hard work and dedication, qualities that many people with this surname possess.
Order DNA origin analysisBackfisch: Where does the name Backfisch come from?
The last name Backfisch is most commonly found in Germany today. The exact origin of the name is largely unknown, though it is thought to refer to the German word for fish. Although the exact origin is uncertain, the name is clearly a nod to the abundance of fish in the German rivers and oceans. In German dialects, the name is typically spelled with a “k” on the end instead of a “sch”.
The Backfisch family was once prevalent in many German-speaking regions of the country, but today the name is mostly concentrated close to the Rhine River and bordering countries. In German-speaking countries outside of Germany, like Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, the spelling of the name is often different. In Austria, for example, it is spelled Bäckfisch, while in Liechtenstein it can be written Bäckfische or Bärrfische.
Today, the name is a relatively common one in Germany and other German-speaking countries. It usually identifies a person from an area with a long history of fish-eating culture. It is also a popular surname used in many regions beyond Germany, indicating the family’s heritage. The name is also occasionally adopted in non-German speaking countries, which may be attributed to immigrants who brought the surname to their new homes.
Variations of the surname Backfisch
The surname Backfisch is of German origin and is derived from the German word “backfisch”, meaning “young fish”. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Backfisch include Bockfisch, Bockfische, Bockfischen, Bockfischmann, Bockfischmannen, Bockfischmensch, Bockfischmenschen, Bockfischmenschs and Bachfisch. Additionally, surnames giving rise to the surname Backfisch include Bach, Bockfüsser, Bockhöffer, Bockje, Böckli, Böcker, Böckner, and Böcksteiner.
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin also extend to its various derivatives, which have become surnames in their own right. Relative surnames to the Backfisch include Böckl, Böckli, Böckmann, Böckmeister, Böckner, Böckseler, Böcksteiner, Böckstier, Böcktal, Böckweiler, Bückstiegel, Buckel, Buckelchen, Buckele, Buckelin.
Backfisch is also a common surname in the Netherlands and Germany, often being rendered in Dutch and also in the Low German dialect as Bockfisch or Bökfisch. In Dutch, derivatives of this surname are Bökman, Bökx, Bökzand, Bökskes, Bökestein, Bökstijn, Bökstra, and Böksterling. Other Dutch variants include Bakfisch, Bockvis, Böcvisch, and Böckvish, while in Low German these Dutch versions can be modified even further to Böckvisch and Bückvish.
In terms of its German origin, other spellings such as Bockfisch and Böckfisch are also common amongst German surnames. Derivatives of Backfisch in Germany extending to such variants as Bockfische, Bockfischmann, Bockfischmensch, Bockfischmenschen, Bockfischmenschs, and Böckfisch.
In summary, Backfisch is a German surname with a wide variety of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin across Dutch and German dialects. These include Bockfisch, Bockfische, Bockfischen, Bockfischmann, Bockfischmannen, Bockfischmensch, Bockfischmenschen, Bockfischmenschs, Bachfisch, Bakfisch, Böckl, Böckli, Böckman, Böckmeister, Böckner, Böckseler, Böcksteiner, Böckstier, Böcktal, Böckvisch, Böckweiler, Böcvisch, Bökfisch, Bökman, Bökx, Bökzand, Bökskes, Bökstijn, Bökstra, and Böksterling, to name but a few.
Famous people with the name Backfisch
- Annette Backfisch: Annette Backfisch is a former international television news anchor, author, speaker, and businesswoman. She has anchored news for CBS, Sky News, Fox News, CNN International, ZDF, and BBC World.
- Nicola Backfisch: Nicola Backfisch is an American artist, musician, and entrepreneur who is known for her work in the fashion industry. She is the founder of the lifestyle brand Moonchild.
- August Backfisch: August Backfisch was a German-American artist. He was a landscape painter, woodblock printer, and professor who taught at the New York Academy of Design.
- Gerd Backfisch: Gerd Backfisch was a German singer, songwriter, and actor. From 1961-1973, he released fourteen albums, both solo and with his group The Great Backfisch.
- Paul Backfisch: Paul Backfisch was an Austrian physicist, associationist, and editor. He dedicated much of his life to research on the laws of Nature and published many scientific papers on electricity, thermodynamics, and atomic theory.
- Wolfgang Backfisch: Wolfgang Backfisch was a German music producer, composer, and musician. He was active in the music industry from 1954-1997, and composed pieces for the theatre, films, ballets, and orchestra.
- Marina von Backfisch: Marina von Backfisch is an internationally renowned German actress, best known for her portrayals of strong female characters in theatre, film, and television.
- Ella Backfisch: Ella Backfisch is a filmmaker and media artist. She has created numerous short films and video installations and is currently working on a collaborative project with the UN Reorienting Student Futures initiative.