Surname Blech - Meaning and Origin
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Blech: What does the surname Blech mean?
The last name Blech is of German origin and is thought to be derived from the German word blech, meaning either "sheet," "plank," or "tin plate." Most likely referring to a metal-working occupation or an objects made from metal, such as a metal vessel or a type of roofing.
The surname Blech has a long history in Europe, first seen in Germany and Austria in the 11th and 12th centuries. It was also seen in France, Netherlands, and Switzerland. During World War II, tens of thousands of Jews with the last name Blech were persecuted by the Nazi government, which often used the name as a recognition of Jewish ancestry. As such, many families changed their last name to avoid persecution.
In the United States, the last name Blech is most commonly found in Jewish and German families, though it can be found among other European nationalities as well. It is a fairly common name, typically found in Jewish communities or in immigrant communities from areas like Germany, Poland, and Austria.
Overall, the last name Blech means metalworker or maker of objects from metal. It is a reminder of the long history and struggles endured by many families with the last name Blech. And, while it may represent some painful memories of the past, it also helps families remember their heritage and serves as an important reminder of their important place in history.
Order DNA origin analysisBlech: Where does the name Blech come from?
The last name Blech is a German surname. It is most common in the south central region of Germany, particularly in the state of Bavaria. The name is also seen throughout other regions of Germany including Hesse, Baden-Württemberg, and North Rhine-Westphalia. After World War II, a number of people with the last name Blech, like other Germans, migrated to other parts of the world— in particular, to the United States. As a result, the name is also fairly common in the United States and can be found in many areas. Additionally, many Blechs are known to still live in Israel and other countries.
In the United States, the number of people with the last name Blech is found to be highest in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and California. This is mainly because of the high number of people who emigrated to this region in the mid to late twentieth century when the American economy was booming and the post-war prosperity was in full gear.
A 2019 search on MyHeritage shows that Blech is the 10,012th most popular last name in the world, with an estimated 15,000 people having the last name Blech. This makes it a fairly common name, particularly in Central and North Europe. With a little bit of digging, it’s likely people with the last name Blech can be found living all over the world.
Variations of the surname Blech
The surname Blech is a German and Jewish Ashkenazic name. The variants of this surname include Blech, Bleych, Blecher, Bleycher, Blecherman, Bleycherman, Blechermann, Bleychermann, Bloch, Block, and Blöch. Different spellings and regional spelling variations of Blech include Balch, Blache, Blachhe, Bleche, Bloch, Blyck, and Ploch.
In the 19th century, some of the variations of Blech underwent name changes or were absorbed into other family names. For example, Blech may have changed to Blecher, Bleycher, and Bleycherman; Bleche to Blyck; and Bloch to Block.
Blech is derived from medieval German nicknames such as Ploch and Bleyck, which were derived from the Old German word “bloch”, meaning “sheep” or “lamb”. As many people in medieval times took their last name from physical attributes or objects, some of these nicknames became family surnames. Over time, these names also became Anglicized into more modern and distinct surnames, such as Blech, Bloch, and Block.
As most of the variations of Blech have German background, some of its surnames may also be of Dutch origin, such as Bloch, Block, Blache, and Bleche. The surname Blech may also have derived from the Yiddish name Bloch—a Jewish surname which was adopted by many Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews in the Middle Ages.
Generally, the surnames Blech, Bloch, Block, and Blyck are all found in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and several southeastern European countries such as Croatia, Slovakia, and Hungary. It is likely that these surnames have variations in other countries due to immigration and their adoption of other languages.
Famous people with the name Blech
- Daniel Blech: Daniel Blech is one of the most successful entrepreneurs of Germany. He is the founder and managing partner of the venture capital firm Earlybird and is an influential voice in Europe's start-up scene.
- Magdalena Blech: Magdalena Blech is an actress and producer from Germany, who is best known for her roles in German television series such as ‘Walpurgis Night’.
- Raphael Blech: Raphael Blech is a German composer and conductor. He wrote a critically acclaimed oratorio based on the biblical story of Moses and his triumph of faith.
- Arthur Blech: Arthur Blech was a German banker and financier. He was a vice-president of the Berlin Stock Exchange and a prominent member of the Prussian Academy of Sciences.
- Suzanne Blech: Suzanne Blech is a successful European jazz singer and songwriter. She has released seven solo albums since the 1990s.
- Mo Blech: Mo Blech is an American-Israeli entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist. He is the founder of the Moise Blech Foundation, which works to provide education and support to underprivileged people in Israel.
- Abraham Blech: Abraham Blech is an American-Israeli lawyer and author with specialties in legal issues associated with the modern nation-state of Israel. He is a professor at Tel Aviv University and has written extensively on Jewish law, ethics, and philosophy.
- Yanki Blech: Yanki Blech is a Rabbi in Israel and founder of the Beit Orot synagogue and religious centre in Jerusalem. He has written a series of books on spirituality and prayer and is an accomplished public speaker.