Surname Schurch - Meaning and Origin
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Discovering Ancestral Roots and Emotional Journey Through iGENEA's DNA Testing
I opened a window into a cherished past with iGENEA's Basic DNA test. The discovery of my linkage to the middle ages, via the family name Schürch has instilled in me a sense of pride in my heritage, changing forever my view of my family and myself.
A. Schurch
read moreSchurch: What does the surname Schurch mean?
The surname Schurch is of Swiss-German origin. There are a few theories about its meaning and origin. The most agreed upon theory is that it possibly derived from the Middle High German word "schurke," meaning villain, or a person of a lower class. It might have been used as a nickname for someone who was considered mischievous or roguish. Another theory suggests that the name could come from variations of the word 'church', indicating a connection with ecclesiastic services or implying that the initial bearers lived near a prominent church. As with many surnames, it could have also been related to the trade, occupation or patronymic of the initial bearers of the name. Records indicate this surname has a strong presence in Switzerland, especially in the region of Bern.
Order DNA origin analysisSchurch: Where does the name Schurch come from?
The last name “Schurch” is most commonly found in Switzerland, Germany, and the United States. It is likely that the name was first taken on by people living in Switzerland as a sign of independence or identity from the earliest times.
In Switzerland, “Schurch” is a very common last name, and it is usually linked with German and French-speaking populations. In terms of regional distribution, the name is especially common in the cantons of St. Gallen, Aargau, and Bern. It is also very common in some French-speaking parts of the country, such as Vaud and Valais.
In Germany, “Schurch” is also a common name and can be found in all parts of the country. The most frequent regions to find this name are Berlin, Bavaria, Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, and Hamburg.
The United States is home to a large population of people with the Schurch last name. It is likely that some of these people are immigrants from Germany or Switzerland (or are descended from such immigrants). It is also possible that some of them may have adopted the last name in the colonial period.
In general, “Schurch” is a very common name in Germanic-speaking countries and the United States. It is likely that this surname will continue to remain common for many years to come.
Variations of the surname Schurch
The surname Schurch has several possible variants, spellings and derivatives: Schur, Schür, Schuer, Schurr, Schürch, Schürk, Scherch, Schierch, Schuerch, Schüerch, Schürer, and Schürr. The origin of this family name is German, deriving from the Middle High German word “schūre” meaning barn or storage. This surname is found in various regions in Germany and Switzerland as well as other German-speaking countries.
The variations of the surname, such as Schur, are found mainly in parts of Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. It is a surname derived from the Middle High German word “schūren,” which meant shed or barn. In Switzerland, Schurch is also known as Schürch, Schürk, Schirch, and Schürki. The spelling Schürch is the most frequent variant of this surname in the Canton of Schwyz.
In Germany, the variations of the surname Schurch are mainly found in the regions of East Frisia, Pomerania, and Saxony. The spellings Schür, Schuer, Schurr, Schürch, Schürk, Scherch, Schierch, Schuerch, Schüerch, Schürer, and Schürr are also very common in these regions.
In North America, the Schurch family adopted several other spelling variations such as Shuren, Shure, Shurr, Shurck, Shurke, Schurch, and Shurek.
Overall, the surname Schurch has several variants, spellings and derivatives across different regions. As well as in Germany, the Middle High German word “schūre” has been used to influence spellings over time in several other countries, leading to various variations of the surname.
Famous people with the name Schurch
- David Schurch: Former defensive lineman for the NFL who played for the New England Patriots and Chicago Bears.
- William Schurch: Astronomer who wrote a book titled “Observatory Work and Methods” describing his experiences and methodology of observing and studying stars and other celestial objects.
- Helen Schurch: Famous English actress who starred in the movie “Passage to India”, and the play “Rebecca”.
- Paul Schurch: Sociologist and associate professor at the University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
- Michael Schurch: Contemporary American abstract expressionist artist who works with oil on canvas to create soft-hued paintings.
- Emily Schurch: Professional ballerina with the National Ballet of Canada, and choreographer for many international ballet companies.
- Steve Schurch: Veteran American country music artist who has produced 12 albums and has chartered more than 25 songs on the US Billboard chart.
- Robinson Schurch: Swiss philosopher and theologian whose main area of research is focused on the ethical considerations of poverty and inequality.
- Nicole Schurch: South African contemporary artist and photographer who has had solo exhibitions around the world.
- Elizabeth Schurch: Renowned businesswoman and author of business books such as “Capital Ideas: The Definitive Guide to Business Execution”.