Surname Köchert - Meaning and Origin
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Köchert: What does the surname Köchert mean?
The last name Köchert is an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German word kocher, meaning "cook." It is likely derived from a profession held by an ancestor who worked as the chef in a high-ranking household. The surname is commonly found in Germany, Austria, and throughout Central Europe.
The Köchert family is an old and noble dynasty of German and Austrian pedigree, with the earliest records of the name dating back to the early Middle Ages. The name has evolved over the centuries through a variety of spellings, but its meaning has stayed largely the same. The Köcherts have served as cooks, bakers, and tavern owners, and the name has transformed as the family members have evolved over the years.
Today, Köchert is a surname that is recognized by many in the German-speaking world and is still seen as a mark of prestige. Though the family no longer holds positions as chefs or holds any high ranks, the family remains respected by many. Generally speaking, the name is seen as a proud household name that implies the trait of hard work and dedication.
Order DNA origin analysisKöchert: Where does the name Köchert come from?
The last name Köchert is primarily of German origin and is found mainly in Germany. Some people with the surname Köchert have also migrated to other German-speaking countries such as Austria and Switzerland. The name has spread across Europe, and there are also several instances of it being found in the Americas, including the United States and Canada.
In Germany, the last name Köchert is most prevalent in western and northern regions, such as Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Rhineland-Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Bavaria. It is less common in the east. In Austria, the Köchert name appears mainly in the states of Lower Austria and Vienna, with some cases in other states such as Styria, Vorarlberg, and Salzburg. In Switzerland, the name is most concentrated in the canton of Zurich.
In the United States, the most recent instances of the last name Köchert have been found in the Midwest, primarily in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Ohio. There is also a smaller concentration in the state of Pennsylvania. In Canada, the family is mostly based in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia, with some scattered cases in Quebec and Alberta.
The last name Köchert appears to be a relatively common one today, found most prevalently in German-speaking areas, but also in other countries as well.
Variations of the surname Köchert
The surname Köchert, also spelled Koechert, Kuechert, Kuchert, and Küchert, is of German origin. It is derived from the word “köcher,” which was the German term for an archer's quiver. As such, the surname likely referred to the occupational specialty of the bearer's ancestor.
The name’s variants include variants Kuper, Küpper, Köper, Köpper and Küpfer. These all derive from köper, the Middle High German term for a peddler or merchant, and suggest that the ancestor of the name-bearer was likely involved in the sale of goods for a living.
The surname is also found in its Polish form, Kuchert, suggesting that this branch of the family is of German-Polish origin. The Polish variant of the name likely derived from an old Slavic term which was similar in sound and meaning to the German Köcher or Köper.
Additionally, variants such as Koopert or Kooperts may be used in the Flemish version of the name. These are both derived from the same root as Köchert, but spell the name in a way that reflects Flemish grammatical conventions.
The prevalence of variants of the Köchert surname reflects the mobility of German-speaking populations and their migrations from one part of Europe to another over the centuries. The localized spelling of the name may also have changed to suit the conventions of different languages or cultures.
Famous people with the name Köchert
- Karl Köchert (1827-1893): Austrian politician who served as mayor of Vienna from 1885 to 1895.
- Oskar Köchert (1865–1925): German-born Viennese goldsmith renowned for his exquisite jewelry designs.
- Anneliese Köchert (1922–1990): Austrian actress who starred in more than forty films between 1941 and 1966.
- Alfred Köchert (1868-1921): Austrian photographer and author of postcards who specialized in documenting the Middle East and North Africa.
- Kurt Köchert (1919–1995): Austrian Olympic athlete who competed in water polo in addition to swimming and diving.
- Wolfgang Köchert (1955–), German-Austrian Museum director and cultural historian who has organized exhibitions at major U.S. and European museums.
- Inge Köchert (1943-): Austrian-American nurse and philanthropist who has made significant donations to public welfare and health care initiatives.
- Paul Köchert (1908–1988): Austrian opera singer and voice coach who performed at the Vienna State Opera from 1929 to 1941.
- Lilly Köchert (1890–1975): Austrian homemaker and businesswoman who owned an export-import company in the early twentieth century.
- Herbert Köchert (1937–), Austrian-born entertainment executive who served as the president of 20th Century Fox’s German operations from 1988 to 1996.