Surname Koch - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Koch: What does the surname Koch mean?
The last name Koch is a German surname derived from the word "kochen," meaning "cook," or "cooking." It is a common name throughout the German-speaking world, with origins in villages and towns around medieval Germany.
The earliest recorded mention of the name comes from a document written in 1379, which listed people from the region of Erfurt with this surname. By the 18th century, the name was widely spread throughout Germany, and began to appear in other countries following emigration.
In the United States, the surname can be seen among several different immigrant groups. German-Americans dominate the population, but the name can also be found in Dutch, Scandinavian, and Eastern European communities.
The surname is also found elsewhere in the world. However, this may be due to recent emigration from Europe, as it was not often used outside of the German-speaking world until the mid-19th century.
The surname Koch is a common one, and it carries a strong Germanic origin. With its connection to cooking, the name evokes the tradition of cooking and baking in the family, creating memories to be passed down for generations.
Order DNA origin analysisKoch: Where does the name Koch come from?
The last name Koch is a very common surname throughout many countries in Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also found in Denmark, Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic and other East European countries. In the United States, Koch is one of the fifty most popular surnames, and is most heavily concentrated in the Midwest and Great Plains regions. It is also found in smaller numbers all throughout the country.
The vast majority of people with the last name Koch are ethnic German, and the name itself is a variant of the German word "Koch", meaning "cook" or "chef". As such, it is likely that the original bearers of the name were skilled cooks. Other variations of Koch, such as Kocher and Koech, have also been found in Germany.
The last name has spread over the centuries to many other countries across the globe, and many Americans of German descent bear the name. Because of intermarriage, the last name is also found among some Jews of German descent as well. The Anglo-American spelling for the name is usually Cook, but many families have retained their original spelling.
Overall, the last name Koch is among the most common and widespread surnames in Europe and America, and has been for many centuries. It is found all across the United States, although its concentration is strongest in the Midwest and Northern Plains regions.
Variations of the surname Koch
The surname Koch has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of these include:
Koch (German, Dutch, Jewish)
Kocher (German, Dutch, Jewish)
Köcher (German, Dutch, Jewish)
Koech (German, Dutch)
Koecker (German, Dutch, Jewish)
Koecher (German, Dutch, Jewish)
Köcher (German, Dutch, Jewish)
Koeckel (German, Dutch, Jewish)
Koeckl (German, Dutch, Jewish)
Köckl (German, Dutch, Jewish)
Kock (German, Dutch, Jewish)
Kockel (German, Dutch, Jewish)
Kockelmann (German, Dutch, Jewish)
Kackel (German, Dutch, Jewish)
Kacker (German, Dutch, Jewish)
Koeckeritz (German, Dutch, Jewish)
Keckel (German, Dutch, Jewish)
Kochersperger (German, Dutch, Jewish)
Koch is an occupational surname of Germanic origin, referring to someone who cooked for their family or their lord. It is derived from the Middle High German term 'koc', which means 'cook'. The surname is found in many countries, including Germany, Holland, Austria, Switzerland and Poland. Throughout the centuries, the spelling of the surname has varied due to regional dialects and language differences. The variants listed above are some of the more common versions of the surname.
Famous people with the name Koch
- Robert Koch: German epidemiologist and pioneer of microbiology, credited with identifying the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis (TB) (1843-1910).
- Fred Koch: American businessman, founder of the conglomerate Koch Industries (1900-1967).
- Friedrich Karl Koch: German politician, served as a Member of the Bundestag for the Christian Social Union from 1983 until 2005 (1926-2005).
- Charles G. Koch: American businessman, son of Fred Koch and co-owner and chairman of the conglomerate Koch Industries (1935-).
- David H. Koch: American businessman, son of Fred Koch and co-owner and executive of the conglomerate Koch Industries (1940-).
- Bill Koch: American businessman, son of Fred Koch and owner of private equity firm Oxbow Corporation (1940-).
- Julia Koch: American philanthropist, wife of billionaires Charles and David Koch (1944-).
- Steffen Koch: German footballer, plays for German club SV Meppen (1991-).
- Rico Koch: German footballer, plays for German club FC St. Pauli (1997-).
- Hedwig Koch: German actress known for her role in the German romantic drama film Sommer vorm Balkon (1925-2017).
- Heinrich Koch: German gentlemeans’ outfitter and fashion designer in Nuremberg (1900-1985).
- Georg-Michael Koch: German sculptor known for his works of public and religious architecture (1910-1983).
- Charles Koch: American businessman, also known as Charles Koch Jr., son of Fred Koch and executive of Koch Industries (1912-1990).
- Heinz Koch: Austrian actor and theatre director known for the historical drama film The Tide of Wembley (1930-2005).
- Astrid Koch: German actress and screenwriter known for her role in the German comedy film Drei Schwestern (1941-2007).