Surname Stouch - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Stouch: What does the surname Stouch mean?
The last name Stouch has Germanic origins, with its earliest recorded forms stemming from the Medieval German word ‘Stouz’ which meant roar or strength. Over time, this evolved into the later spelling of ‘Stouch’.
It is believed that the Stouch family were a clan of landholders related to several local families in 12th century Germany. The name was a term of respect often bestowed on families that held a title. It was not uncommon for entire clans to take on the same last name, and this was how the surname ‘Stouch’ came to be.
As time passed, the name spread to other areas of Europe, such as the United Kingdom and the United States. As many immigrants of German descent made their home in these areas, they brought with them the Stouch surname. It is now quite common in some regions of Europe and North America.
The surname Stouch is a clear representation of strength and power, stemming from the early days of its creation centuries ago. Its traditional meanings still remain today, with the Stouch family living on as a proud and powerful name.
Order DNA origin analysisStouch: Where does the name Stouch come from?
The last name Stouch is predominantly found in the United States today. There is also a rootsweb page for the Stouch surname which lists additional countries with Stouch families, such as England, Canada, Ukraine, and Germany.
In the United States, the highest concentration of Stouches can be found in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states. Pennsylvania has the highest number of Stouches of any state, according to the Surname Atlas user data. Most of these families are located in the southeastern part of the state, near Philadelphia. Ohio, South Carolina, New York, Illinois, and Maryland have the next highest concentrations.
The vast majority of Stouch families in the United States have been in the United States since at least the mid-1800s. Many of these families originated in German-speaking countries, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and migrated to the United States in search of a better life. Later generations of these families have spread into other parts of the United States, as evident in the user data from Surname Atlas.
Stouches have a significant presence online today, with many active family branches located in the United States and beyond. Many Stouch families have their own genealogy pages and Facebook groups which allow family members to connect and research their shared family history.
Variations of the surname Stouch
The surname Stouch is a variation of the German surname, Stauch, which is derived from the Middle High German words stuoche, meaning “nail” or “spike”. This denotes that the original bearers of the surname were involved in some kind of metalworking, such as smithing or forging of nails, weapons, or tools. Other variants of the surname are Stouch, Stauch, Stautz, and Stantz.
Spelling variants of the name Stouch include Stuch, Stouche, Stouchy, Stouck, and Stoucky. It is also sometimes found spelled with the Dutch spelling Stoet or Stoot. Surnames that share the same origin as Stouch include Stuchlik, Stouchik, Staucher, Stauchitz, Stauchinka, Stauchke, Stoutschka, Stutchka, Stoeten, and Stooten. All of these surnames ultimately trace their origin back to the Middle High German word stuoche.
In the United States, Stouch is primarily a Pennsylvania Dutch surname, stemming from German settlers who came to Pennsylvania in the 1700s. Many of these families established communities in Berks, Lancaster, Bucks, and other counties in the central and eastern parts of the state.
The Stouch family name is also associated with a small handful of historic families of the same name from Scotland and Ireland. There are records of several Stouch families living in Edinburgh, Scotland as early as the 1600s. Additionally, it is very likely that the surname is derived from the older Irish surname O'Stuachaigh, which was a common family name in 16th century Ireland.
Famous people with the name Stouch
- Jeff Stouch, former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Robb Stouch, former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Bill Stouch, an American football player
- Jacob Stouch, Pennsylvania Dutch folklorist
- George Stouch, decorated US Air Force Major
- Albert Stouch, American photographer
- Hal Stouch, former Major League Baseball umpire
- Milo Stouch, basketball player
- Nanci Stouch, college basketball coach
- Gloria Stouch, former actress