Surname Kirchhof - Meaning and Origin
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read moreKirchhof: What does the surname Kirchhof mean?
The last name Kirchhof is of German origin, derived from the word "kirche" meaning a church and "hof" meaning a court or enclosed yard. This suggests that the family originally held land or property near a church. Alternatively, it may signal the family's religious background, as many German surnames often have religious connotations.
The name Kirchhof is a fairly common German surname, likely found across Germany and parts of Europe. Records show that the first known bearer of this surname lived in the area around Germany during the 13th century.
Today, Kirchhof is considered a prestigious name, with the surname for families having held higher socio-economic status over the centuries. Often it is associated with landowners, business professionals, and well-to-do members of society.
The Kirchhof surname has a long and rich history, with many descendants across the world preserving and carrying on this tradition. The extended family typically shares strong ties, upholds a sense of pride, and a deep appreciation for the family name.
Order DNA origin analysisKirchhof: Where does the name Kirchhof come from?
The last name Kirchhof is most commonly found in Germany and other countries in Northern Europe. Records from as early as the 16th century show the surname originating in the area, with its first known record appearing in 1595 in the region of Lower Saxony. It has since spread throughout the region and is still a relatively common surname.
Kirchhof is considered to be a habitational surname, meaning it is derived from the name of a place or settlement. It is likely that those who originally held the name were from a village near the town of Osnabrück, in the county of Essen, Germany. The original form of the name was Kurkehof, which likely comes from the German words for “church” and “garden.”
Since its first recorded instance in Germany, the last name Kirchhof has spread throughout much of Northern Europe. Records from the 19th century suggest that people with the name were living in nearby countries such as the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. The surname can be found in smaller pockets in other countries as well, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States.
The last name Kirchhof is still a fairly common name in Germany and other parts of Northern Europe. With its humble origins in a small village in Germany, the name has since spread to other countries around the globe, giving people from those countries a connection to the rich history of this part of the world.
Variations of the surname Kirchhof
The surname Kirchhof is of German origin and is derived from two words – kirch meaning church and hof meaning court or yard. This surname is Alternate Spelling Variants of Kirchhof include Kirchhoff, Kurshoff, Kerchoff, Kirchhofer, Kyrchhoff, Kerchhof, Kerchhove, Kerchhove, Kirchhove and Kurschoff.
The surname is also found in countries other than Germany. In Russia the surnames Karchov and Karchoff are related to Kirchhof. In Poland, the surname Kirchhof is known as Kierzkowski and Kierski. In Czech Republic, it is written as Křížový. Other spellings found in other countries are Cajero, Zerchov and Cerchiero.
Kirchhof is also known by other surnames including Kirchner, Kercher, Kircher, Kirchhainer and Kirchener. The main name Kirchhof is derived from the name of a place of residence somewhere near a church or a yard. This would indicate that the family lived in a place which was relatively close to a church. This type of surname is known as a toponymic surnames which describes or refers to where a family lives.
Many variations and spellings of the surname Kirchhof have developed over the centuries in different countries and regions. Today the surname is still found in many different spellings across Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Russia and other countries.
Famous people with the name Kirchhof
- Paul Kirchhof: Paul Kirchhof is a German jurist and a former Minister of Justice of the state of Baden-Württemberg. He was President of the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany from 2003 to 2016.
- Alex Kirchhof: Alex Kirchhof is a German television presenter, actor and comedian.
- Christian Kirchhof: Christian Kirchhof is a German singer-songwriter and music producer, as well as the frontman of the bands "Laugh'N'Peace" and "Tarantula Heist".
- Emma Kirchhof: Emma Kirchhof is a German actress, best known for her role as Charlotte in the television series "Sturm der Liebe".
- Martin Kirchhof: Martin Kirchhof is a former professional German footballer who played mainly as a left or defensive midfielder for various clubs in Germany.
- Christian August Kirchhof: Christian August Kirchhof was a German classical composer, organist and court councillor.
- Götz Kirchhof: Götz Kirchhof is a German theater and television actor, dramaturge and director.
- Johannes Kirchhof: Johannes Kirchhof was a German actor, best known for his roles in the ZDF television series "Der Alte" and "In aller Freundschaft".
- Dieter Kirchhof: Dieter Kirchhof is a German former professional football goalkeeper.
- Wolfgang Kirchhof: Wolfgang Kirchhof was a German painter, draftsman and graphic designer.