Surname Kerchner - Meaning and Origin
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Kerchner: What does the surname Kerchner mean?
Kerchner is an occupational surname, originating from the German language. The name originated from the Old German word “kehr” which means “to sweep” or “to clean.” Thus, the surname Kerchner was primarily used to refer to someone who was a “housekeeper,” “cleaner,” or “janitor.” Alternatively, it may also refer to anyone who performed cleaning services of any kind, such as the sweeping of streets or the cleaning of all surfaces. Today, individuals with the surname Kerchner may still work in a variety of cleaning services, though many of them work in other professions as well, such as accountants and lawyers.
The surname Kerchner appears in records as early as the 15th century, with individuals bearing this name found in both Germany and Austria. Today the surname can be found in those countries as well as the United States, where it is mostly concentrated on the East Coast. Although other interpretations of the origin of the name exist, such as at being derived from "kerch," as a variation of church, it is more likely that it its origin is related to the occupation of cleaning.
In any case, the surname Kerchner is an interesting one, representing an occupation that was of importance centuries ago and still carried out today.
Order DNA origin analysisKerchner: Where does the name Kerchner come from?
The surname Kerchner is an occupational or topographical name which originated from the Middle High German word ‘karcher’ meaning ‘innkeeper, landlord’. It is believed to have developed out of a variety of similar given names and is found in many places around the world today.
In England, the surname dates back to the 16th century and is mainly found in the East Anglia region. In Scotland, it is mainly found in the Shetland Islands and in some parts of the Borders region.
In the United States, the surname can be found in areas that have seen a large influx of Germans settling in the country. This includes Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, with the most dense concentrations in Berks County, Lehigh County, and Northampton County in Pennsylvania as well as the counties of York and Adams in Maryland.
In other parts of the world, the surname Kerchner can also be found in Germany, particularly in the northern regions, and in the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, and the Czech Republic. The surname has also spread to other parts of the world such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Kerchner
Kerchner is a German and Dutch surname that can also be seen as Kercher, Kerch, Kerck, Kerckhove, and Kerkhove. These variations are thought to have derived from the German word “kirchner” which means churchman. It is believed to have been a common name for those who served in the churches of the local areas.
Kerchner is a very common surname in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany and is known to have derived from the old spelling of “Kirchner”. This variation is associated with someone who lived near the church or was a church servant. It can also be spelled as “Kercker” or “Kerkers” in the Netherlands.
In Germany, Kerchner is also known to be spelled as “Kerchhove” or “Kerkhoff”. It is believed to have derived from the location or area from which the family originated. “Kerchhove” is believed to refer to people who were originally from a certain hamlet and “Kerkhoff” is associated with those whom lived near the chapel or church.
The variations of the surname Kerchner can also be seen in other countries as well such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In the US, the spelling can be seen as “Kercher” or “Kerch”, while in Canada it is seen as “Kerck” or “Kercks”. In the UK, Kerchner is often spelled as “Kerkhove” or “Kerkhoff”.
Overall, the surname Kerchner has many different variants, spellings, and surnames. However, all of these variations are believed to have come from the same origin. These variations are associated with those who served in the church as well as those who lived near the church or in a certain hamlet.
Famous people with the name Kerchner
- Ronald Kerchner: an American businessperson who serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Philadelphia Phillies.
- Dorothea Marie Kerchner: an American violinist, cellist, conductor, and music pedagogue.
- Kenneth J Kerchner: an American composer and professor at Tufts University.
- Justin Kerchner: a German-born footballer who plays as a central midfielder for FC Augsburg II.
- Julia Bella Kerchner: an American figure skater who competed with partner Sébastien Persson in the 2004 and 2006 US Championships.
- Bob Kerchner: an American film and television writer, producer and director.
- Jamie D. Kerchner: an American football coach and former college player.
- Marcus Kerchner: an American college football coach and former linebacker.
- Faith Kerchner: an American Christian leader, author, blogger, inspirational speaker, and visionary.
- Art Kerchner: an American snowboarder who won silver in the 2002 X Games.