Surname Berch - Meaning and Origin
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Berch: What does the surname Berch mean?
The surname Berch is of Anglo-Saxon origin and it is a variant of the surname Birch. Birch is a topographic surname for someone who lived by a birch tree or in a birch wood. The word Birch comes from the Old English pre 7th Century "birce", with the Middle English development "birch", "birk". It can also be a habitational name from any of the numerous places called Birch in Essex, Gloucestershire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and Staffordshire. These were named with the Old English "birce". It may also be a nickname referring to the birch tree symbolizing ancient symbolism for renewal and purification. The surname Berch appears in English documents as early as the 12th century. It is therefore a surname that denotes either origin, residence, or a personal characteristic.
Order DNA origin analysisBerch: Where does the name Berch come from?
The surname Berch is believed to have Germanic origins. It was often given to those who were born or lived in areas full of birch trees, deriving from the Middle High German word "birche," translated to birch in English. Surnames during the Middle Ages were often linked to a person's occupation, location, or personal characteristics, making this a plausible explanation for its origin.
Being a variant of Birch, it also has links to English and Scandinavian roots, where it carries the same meaning. The surname Berch might also relate to someone from a place called Birch, such as the locations in Essex and Lancashire in England.
Today, people with the Berch surname live predominantly in the United States. Specifically, states like Pennsylvania, New York, and California have higher concentrations of individuals with this last name. It is also found, albeit to a lesser extent, in places like Germany, Canada, and the United Kingdom, reflecting its geographical and cultural dissemination over time. Even so, it remains relatively uncommon globally.
Variations of the surname Berch
The surname Berch has several variations, including: Berche, Bertch, Bearch, Bercht, and Birch. Due to phonetic similarities, surnames like Beach, Bech, Burch, or Burck could potentially be linked as well.
In terms of geographic origin, the surname Berch is primarily associated with Western Europe, particularly the United Kingdom and Germany. It may be derived from the English surname Birch, referencing a person who lived near birch trees. As a German surname, Berch may come from Bercht, a name relating to brightness or glory. Similarly, in some Jewish communities, Berk or Berki, meaning 'bright', could be related variants.
This surname may also be connected with Dutch, Danish, and Swedish surnames like Bergh, Birk, Berchmann, and Bjerke, which also carry associations with physical landscapes, specifically hills (Bergh) or birch trees (Bjerke).
Remember, due to the adoption and adaptation of surnames over time for different reasons (immigration, translation, etc.), many surnames that might sound or look similar may not necessarily share the same origin.
Famous people with the name Berch
- Michele Berch, Australian businesswoman and former CEO for Scentre Group
- Amera Berch, American multi-medalist track and field athlete
- Michael Berch, American film editor
- J. David Berch, American poet and professor
- John Berch, American astronaut
- Flora Berch, American social worker
- Bern Berch, American sculptor
- Gabby Berch, American singer
- Marco Berch, Dutch footballer
- Gideon Berch, Indian politician