Surname Melchoir - Meaning and Origin

Melchoir: What does the surname Melchoir mean?

The last name Melchoir is believed to have originally come from the Germanic word for “brave leader”. In the Middle Ages, this was a popular surname meaning a leader of a given family or tribe who was exceptionally courageous and wise. It was also used as a military honorific.

The name gained prevalence during World War I when it was adopted by numerous war heroes. After the war, many of these war heroes would bring the same name to the United States with them as they started their new lives.

The name Melchoir is often associated with the name of the prophet who brought the first Christmas gifts to the Christ child, Gaspar. Some historians believe that the name Melchoir originates from the ancient Greek words that compose Gaspar’s name, melchor, meaning “king or leader”, and choros, meaning “a village or dwelling”.

In modern times, the last name Melchoir is often viewed with admiration and respect. Those who have the name are thought of as courageous, wise, and resolute. They also tend to be leaders within their families and communities.

Thus, the beautiful and intriguing name of Melchoir carries with it a long history of honor, strength, and respect.

Melchoir: Where does the name Melchoir come from?

The last name Melchoir is commonly found today in countries or regions with a history of German or Swiss heritage. The surname in its various spelling variations, such as Melcher, Mellichamp, Malcher, and Melchert, is common in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, as well as countries formerly a part of the Holy Roman Empire, including Poland and the Czech Republic. The surname also occurs in France, likely as a result of migration of German-speaking ancestors due to religious or economic instability in their home nations. It is seemingly less common in North America, but still appears, especially in communities settled by German immigrants.

In Germany, Melchoir is much more common in the northern states of Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Brandenburg, with a slightly lower number of Melchoir families in Bavaria, Baden-Wurttemberg, and Thuringia. The surname is also slightly more common in parts of the former Prussia, especially in the historic Volhynia, East Prussia, and Vistula Valley region of what is now south-eastern Poland and western Ukraine.

Outside of Europe, Melchoir is occasionally seen in colonial nations such as Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Mexico, and South Africa, likely due to migrations of individuals with German or Swiss descent during the colonial era or in later waves of immigration. The United States also has a small number of Melchoir families, with slightly more common in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Texas. The name in its different spelling variations also appears less commonly in Canada, with Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia, and Ontario having the highest number of Melchoir families.

Variations of the surname Melchoir

The surname Melchoir is of German origin. It is a derivative of the Biblical Magi name Melchior, meaning "king of light" or "king of the world." It evolved into different spellings and variants over time and is found in many cultures across the globe. Common variants of Melchoir include Melchior, Melcher, Meylchior, Melchoir, Melkior, Melkor, Melcker, Milchior, Möhlke, Molchor and Melzner. In Eastern and Central Europe, it is sometimes spelled Molchor or Molchur.

In English, this surname is generally spelled Melcher, Melchior, Melchoir or Melkior. In France it is spelled Melkior or Melchior. In Germany and Austria, it is generally spelled Melchior. In Canada and some parts of the United States, this is sometimes spelled Melcher, Melchor, or Melcker, although in the United States, Melchoir is more commonly used. In Scandinavia, Melchior is the most common spelling. In Sweden, many names are based on melchior, such as Mellcrona, Mellkvist, and Mölchor. In Hungary this name is often spelled Möhlke.

Different ethnicities and cultures around the world have their own versions of the Melchoir surname, such as Melkyo (Korea) and Meylchior (Ukraine). Additionally, Melchoir is found among Jewish, Italian and Spanish populations.

The Melchoir surname is widely-known as that of a family of three Magi or Wise Men from the East, who are believed to have visited the baby Jesus according to the Gospel of Matthew. As a result, this surname has been used among Christian families around the world for centuries and is still a popular choice in many countries.

Famous people with the name Melchoir

• Wolf Melchior: German actor, known for his roles in movies such as The White Ribbon, The Flavor of Green Tea over Rice, and Whoaman Newspaper.
• Michael Melchior: Israeli politician and former government minister.
• Joachim Melchior: German actor, known for his roles in movies such as Generation War, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Homeland.
• Uwe Melchior: German actor, known for his roles in films such as Goodbye, Lenin!, The Lives of Others, and Sonnenallee.
• Edgar Melchior: German director, known for his films such as Der Bockerer 2, The Miracle of Bern, and Nobody Loves Me.
• Horst Melchior: German actor, known for his roles in movies such as Attack on Leningrad, War and Peace, and The Stone Murderer.
• Enzo Melchior: Italian actor, known for his roles in films such as Baby, Come Back!, Il Marchese del Grillo, and La Leggenda del Piave.
• Myrtle Melchior: American author and journalist, known for her books such as The Letters of William S. Burroughs, Stacking Stones and Other Stories, and Chasing the Wind.
• Brant Melchior: American recording artist and songwriter, known for his songs such as "Phoenix", "Deliverance", and "Redemption".
• August Melchior: German composer, known for his compositions such as Organ Concerto in F minor, Five Pieces for Piano, and Five Motets for the Church Year.

Other surnames

Melchor