Surname Pach - Meaning and Origin
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Pach: What does the surname Pach mean?
The last name Pach is of German origin. It is believed to be a nickname derived from the Old High German word “pacan,” which means “to beat.” Interestingly, it is possible that the surname was given to someone who was especially vigorous in battle. In some cases, the name may be a corruption of the Slavic word “pacha,” which means “leader.”
The name Pach is found all over Europe, and is particularly common in central and eastern Europe. In Germany, it is most popular in the southwestern states of Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg. In Poland, the name is found mostly in Lower Silesia and Masovia. In Austria, the surname Pach is found primarily in Burgenland.
In addition to Europe, the last name Pach is also found in Brazil, Canada, and the United States. It is believed that some of these Pach families are linked to individuals who immigrated to those countries in the mid to late 19th century, although the exact origin of each family can vary.
The surname Pach is a testament to the long and varied migratory history of Europe and its descendants. Its variety of meanings and origins, and its spread across the globe speaks to the complexity of family history and how it can be intertwined with the stories of different countries.
Order DNA origin analysisPach: Where does the name Pach come from?
The last name Pach is of German, Slavic, and Jewish origin. Today, it is most commonly found in Central and Eastern European countries, as well as amongst Ashkenazi Jews. It is most popular in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic, although some Pach families can be found in other countries of continental Europe, including the UK, Italy, France, and Belgium.
In the United States, the Pach surname is most commonly found amongst the large Polish-American population. According to the U.S. Census in 2020, there were over 3,600 people surnamed Pach living in the United States, with the majority (2,100) living in the Northeast. Other sizable population concentrations include Illinois (660), Wisconsin (340), Florida (340), and California (340).
As a Jewish surname, it is especially common amongst the large Ashkenazi Jewish population in the United States. It can be found across multiple U.S. states, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Massachusetts.
Wherever the surname Pach is found, it usually denotes a family with musical roots, such as musicians, singers, composers, music teachers, and conductors.
Variations of the surname Pach
The surname Pach is a variation of the German surname Bach, which means “stream” or “brook”. This surname originated from the Middle High German “bach”, and was commonly found in regions of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Variations of the surname Pach include the spellings Pacch, Bach, Pahch, Pachh, and many more. Alternate spellings or variations are often created by different cultural dialects or changes in the spoken language over time. As such, a modern form of the surname can be Pahch or Bahch.
In some cases, the surname Pach has been Anglicized to the spelling “Pax” or “Packs”. In other cases, it is rendered as “Paech”.
Surnames derived from Pach include Bache, Pachmann, Pachner, Pachst, and Pachmann.
The surname is found throughout Europe, but especially in the countries of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. It is also common in countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, due to European emigration throughout the modern-era.
Regardless of its original variant or spelling, the surname Pach generally has the same meaning and origin. It is derived from the Middle High German “bach”, which means “stream” or “brook”.
Famous people with the name Pach
- Ignacy Pach: Polish painter famous for his realism.
- Johann Nepomuk Pach: Hungarian chess master and theorist.
- Jack Pach: American diver who competed in the 1932 Summer Olympics.
- Mieczysław Pach: Polish film director of the Polish Film School.
- Paweł Pach: Polish abstract painter and multimedia artist.
- Franz Pach: Austrian lawyer, diplomat, and politician.
- Jan Pach: Polish sculptor known for the Sculpture Park in Oświęcim.
- Johann Pach: Austrian painter and architect who was part of the Viennese Secession movement.
- Karl Pach: German engineer and industrialist.
- Henry Pach: American football player and coach at Princeton University.