Surname Blocher - Meaning and Origin
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Blocher: What does the surname Blocher mean?
The surname Blocher originates from Switzerland and has a French origin. It is derived from the word "bloc," which means block in French. This is thought to be a reference to an ancestor who lived in an area surrounded by timber blocks or enclosures. The name could also have originated from the Old French words "bloquer," meaning to fasten or block or from the German word "Bloch" which means black.
Blocher is a common Swiss surname, as well as one of the most historic and respected surnames in the country. It can still be seen in many modern Swiss towns, communities and cities. This surname belongs to prominent Swiss families of the early modern period and can be found in records from the 1300s, when the Swiss Confederation was first established. Members of the family have often held high positions of power in the government, and many have also served in the military.
The earliest known record of the Blocher surname was in 1298 when Blochre of Sion, a knight of Uri, is mentioned in a Swiss chronicle. Since then, notable members of the family have been involved in various political and military endeavors. It is also common for members of the family to own various businesses and to have strong academic credentials, and many of them continue to have successful careers in business and academia.
Today, the surname Blocher is still used in its native Switzerland and is beginning to spread to other countries, particularly those with a Swiss community. It is also associated with perseverance, loyalty and diligence, and it serves as a reminder of one's ancestral connection to celebrated families of Switzerland.
Order DNA origin analysisBlocher: Where does the name Blocher come from?
The last name Blocher is most commonly found in Switzerland today. According to the Swiss census, it is the 18th most common surname in the country, occurring at a frequency of 1 in 1,700 individuals. The Blocher name originated in the medieval era from the Germanic root "bloch" which means "black". It is believed that the Blochers of today descend from a family that may have been of the knightly class, since the first record of the name is found in St. Gallen in 1260. The first person known to have borne the name was Ulrich Blocher.
The Blocher name is also found in some other countries in Europe, such as Germany and Austria, as well as in some of the United States. This may be due to Swiss emigration in the 18th and 19th centuries. In these places, however, the name remains relatively uncommon.
The Blocher surname is most strongly associated with Swiss industrialist Christoph Blocher, who has been credited with leading the right-wing Swiss People's Party in the 1990s and 2000s to become the strongest Swiss party of the time. The Blocher surname is also associated with the Blocher Group, a Swiss industrial conglomerate that was founded by Christoph's father, Giachen Blocher.
Variations of the surname Blocher
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Blocher are numerous and span a wide variety of languages and cultures. Blocher is a surname originating from Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg. In German, the primary spelling is Blöcher, with variants and spellings including Blöchler, Blochler, Blocherer, Bloche, Bleycher, Blitzer, and Bleucer. In Switzerland, the name is sometimes spelled Blöchli, while in Luxembourg, the phonetic spelling is Blocher.
Variations of the name Blocher can also be found in other languages, such as Dutch, where it is spelled Blokker or Blocker, and French, where it is spelled Blocher or Blocker. Other languages with variants of Blocher include Italian (Blochetto), Swedish (Blocker), and English (Blocker). In addition, variations may appear in a variety of forms, such as surnames derived from locations with the same spelling (e.g., Blocher from the French town of Blocher), or double-barrelled surnames such as Blocher-Smith.
Finally, the name Blocher can also be seen as part of some surnames, most notably the names Blachtman, Blockman, Bleycker, and Blecker. These names often originate from Germany and may be derived from a similar geographical origin or an added prefix or suffix.
In total, there are many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the Blocher surname. While the vast majority of names are of German, Swiss or Luxembourg origin, variations in other languages do exist and can provide insight into the family's history and cultural background.
Famous people with the name Blocher
- Christoph Blocher: Christoph Blocher is a Swiss politician who is currently Vice President of the Swiss Union of Conservative Parties. He served as a member of the Swiss Federal Council from 2003 to 2007. He also held sway in the Swiss People’s Party until his retirement in 2013.
- Helene Blocher: Helene Blocher is a Swiss businesswoman and the daughter of Christoph Blocher. She is the current CEO of Ems-Chemie, a chemical and plastics group based in St. Gallen, Switzerland.
- Martin Blocher: Martin Blocher is a Swiss businessman and the son of Christoph Blocher. He is currently the head of corporate development for SFS Group, a Swiss plastics and metals supplier.
- Erwin Blocher: Erwin Blocher is a Swiss artist and sculptor. His work has been exhibited in galleries across Europe, notably the Kunsthalle Basel and the Kunstmuseum Bern.
- Helmut Blocher: Helmut Blocher is a Swiss entrepreneur and engineer. He is the founder and owner of Blocher Partners AG, a global engineering and consulting firm.
- Wolfgang Blocher: Wolfgang Blocher is a German politician and the son of Christoph Blocher. He is a member of the Alternative for Germany party and is currently one of the party’s deputy co-chairs.
- Robert Blocher: Robert Blocher is an American-born entrepreneur, investor, and entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Blocher Partners, a private equity firm based in San Francisco, California.