Surname Kirchhövel - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kirchhövel: What does the surname Kirchhövel mean?
The last name Kirchhövel is an old German name that likely originated in the region around the town of Kirchhövel in North Rhine-Westphalia. The name is derived from the Old German words "kirche" and "hovel," which mean church and hill respectively. The name likely referred to the hill on which the town's church was situated.
Kirchhövel is an old settlement that has a long history associated with it. It was founded in the late 12th century by a pastor of a nearby parish church, and the surrounding area was mainly used for farming. By the 15th century, the settlement grew to become an important marketplace for trade and business.
It is also known for its many castles and its historical towns, and in recent years has become popular for tourists seeking out small towns with traditional German charm.
Kirchhövel is an old but important name in German history, and it is associated with a long standing tradition and strong sense of culture. The people of Kirchhövel take pride in their heritage and often find themselves visiting the region, and the town, to reconnect with their traditions and history.
Order DNA origin analysisKirchhövel: Where does the name Kirchhövel come from?
The last name Kirchhövel is most commonly found in Germany today, particularly in the Rhineland region of the country. It is thought to have originated from a small village of the same name, which itself is located in the modern-day Municipality of Schmallenberg in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The area is known for its long history of Protestant Christianity, which is evident in the many Catholic and Protestant churches that make up the cultural landscape. This is also likely the source of the surname, originating as an occupational name from someone who worked in one of these churches.
The name is still quite prevalent in the area today, with many people bearing the name in the surrounding towns and cities. It even spread to the United States, with emigration in the late 19th century resulting in many of the name popping up on records there.
Kirchhövel is still quite a common surname even today. It is recognizable in both Germany and America, and hints at the rich cultural history of the area it derived from.
Variations of the surname Kirchhövel
The surname Kirchhövel (sometimes spelt Kirchhövel) is of German origin. It derives from the town of Kirchhövel, which is located in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Kirchhövel is a fairly uncommon surname, but there is a handful of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Variations on the name may include Kirchhöfel, Kirchhöbel, Kirchhöffer, Kirchhöffel, Kirchhöfel, Kirchhöbel, Kirchhöffer, and Kirchhoff.
Some people may opt to spell the surname with a K or with two Fs instead of one. This would give the variant spelling of Kirchhöffel, with the double F pronunciation.
In Westphalia, the surname could be expressed as Kirchhovels or Kirchhoël.
In some cases, the suffix “-er” may be added, resulting in the surnames Kirchhöveler or Kirchhöfeler.
In the United States, Germany, and other countries throughout Europe, the surname may undergo several variations caused by localized spelling and pronunciation. For example, in the United States, people of German descent may translate the name to English and spell it as Churchhoover or Churchhovell.
All of these spellings and surnames are derived from the same source, which is the town of Kirchhövel located in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Famous people with the name Kirchhövel
- Karl Wilhelm Kirchhövel (1764–1836), German banker, economist and amateur art historian
- Carl Ferdinand von Kirchhövel (1770–1843), Prussian general and statesman
- Paul Kirchhövel (1774–1847), German navigator, hydrographer and politician
- Frederick Karl von Savigny Kirchhövel (1817–1875), German industrialist
- Konrad von Kirchhövel (1821–1891), Prussian major general
- Wilhelm von Kirchhövel (1824–1906), President of the Prussian House of Representatives
- Karl Kirchhövel (1845–1899), German politician
- Friedrich Wilhelm von Kirchhövel (1849–1911), German naval officer
- Wilhelm Carl von Kirchhövel (1904–1980), German diplomat
- Johannes von Kirchhövel (1932–1986), German TV journalist, anchor and newsreader