Surname Kuhar - Meaning and Origin

Kuhar: What does the surname Kuhar mean?

The last name Kuhar is of Slavic origin, from the regions of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Serbia, Slovenia, and Montenegro. It is most commonly found in eastern Europe, especially in the countries that were formerly part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The name Kuhar is related to the words for baker or cook in the south Slavic languages, derived from the word 'kuhinja', which means kitchen. The occupational name indicates that its original bearers were professional cooks or bakers. The meaning of the name has stayed consistent despite the centuries of migrations and geopolitical changes in the region.

This last name is especially prevalent in the Habsburg Empire and its successor nation-states after the First World War. Its prevalence can be attributed to its meaning as a type of occupational or trade name, most likely as a result of migration from rural areas into cities and town, wherein the cooks or bakers would seek to establish themselves and make a living. Coupled with the cultural importance of foods and cooking, this suggests that one with the last name Kuhar likely comes from a family with strong culinary traditions.

In certain cases, a name can tell us a great deal about those who bear it. The name Kuhar is no exception. To know one who carries this last name is to know someone with familial foundations in food, cooking, and hospitality. It is a unifying force for many in southeastern Europe.

Kuhar: Where does the name Kuhar come from?

The last name Kuhar is most common in Croatia, where it originated. According to the latest World Population Review, around 3,100 people in Croatia bear this name. It is also somewhat prevalent in the United States, where it resides in more than 200 households.

This surname is believed to have originated in the Slavic language, and its literal meaning is ‘blacksmith’. Those of the Kuhar name likely descended from people who were skilled in metalworking and who were involved in the forging process.

The Kuhar surname is also found in regions and countries that were part of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, such as Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Austria. It is also common in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Albania.

Though the Kuhar last name is much rarer in other parts of the world, there are still a few places where it can be found. It occurs as a sporadic area of origin in the Netherlands, Greece, and Australia. Additionally, there have been periodic sightings of this name in the United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand.

The Kuhar name is gradually spreading as people of Croatian descent and other nationalities emigrate around the world. It will likely continue to be carried by these expatriates for years to come.

Variations of the surname Kuhar

The unique surname Kuhar is derived from Slovenian and Croatian language, and originates from the word kuhati, which means ‘to cook’. As a result, people with this surname are likely to be descendants of cooks or chefs. The spelling variations of Kuhar include Kuchar, Kuehar, Kusear, Kouhar, Kumer, Kuher, Kuhaar, Koucher, Kuecher, Kuchar and Kucharik.

The surname Kuhar can also be found in other countries. In Hungary, the surname can be spelled as Kocser as well as Kocserka. In Germany, the spelling Küchle is used, and in Austria Kochl is the alternate form. In Czech Republic, the spelling names could be Kuchar, Kuchary, Kuehar, Kuhaar, Kusear or Kuchenbach.

In the United States, the spelling of the surname varies and could be Kuchera, Kuchar, Kucher, Kucera, Kucar, Kuchara or Kucharik. The earliest known usage of the surname in America was by Ignatz and Cecilia Kuchar, a Czech couple who immigrated in the late 19th century, eventually settling in Pennsylvania.

As the surname stems from a word, there may also be other surnames that have similar spelling variations with slightly different origins. These may include Kuc, Kovar, Kowar and Kovarik.

It is possible that different members of the same family may have different spellings of the surname, as a result of geographical location or dialect. Different members of the Kuhar family may also adopt different variants of this surname, as well as other surnames, in order to hide their identity. It is important to note that surnames may change over generations due to a variety of reasons.

Famous people with the name Kuhar

• Zlatko Kuhar: was a Croatian professional footballer and manager.
• Mateo Kuhar: is a professional footballer who plays for the Croatian club NK Lokomotiva
• Ivan Kuhar: was a Slovene poet, writer, and translator.
• Tomsaz Kuhar: a Slovenian football manager and former player.
• Zsuzsanna Kuhar: a Slovak professional ice dancer.
• Božo Kuhar: a Croatian professional basketball player.
• Saša Kuhar: a former Yugoslav and Macedonian international basketball player.
• Nélio Kühler: a retired Brazilian football goalkeeper.
• Xiu Xiu Kuhar: a Chinese artist, who paints embroidery on silk, creating works that combine painting and soft sculptures.
• Gregor Kuhar: a Slovenian freestyle skier, specializing in ski cross.

Other surnames

Kuharski