Surname Kirchhoefner - Meaning and Origin
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Kirchhoefner: What does the surname Kirchhoefner mean?
The last name Kirchhoefner is of German origin, believed to first appear in Bavaria. The literal translation of the surname means "church farmer," coming from the words “Kirch” and “Hof” which was a combination of terms used to describe someone who farmed land surrounding a church or owned land close to a church. This type of landholding was often seen in Lutheran communities, specifically in Bavaria, in the middle ages. It is likely that the Kirchhoefner family were part of this Lutheran community and were successful “church farmers.”
The Kirchhoefner name has only come up sporadically in historical records, with the name mainly show in the Bavarian region. Records from the time display the name mostly being held by middle class people within the community such as peasants, farmers and craftsmen. By the 1700s, many of the descendants of the original Kirchhoefner family had moved from Bavaria to other parts of Germany.
In modern times the Kirchhoefner name is still strongly associated with descendants living in Bavaria, and Germany more broadly. The name is still a relatively uncommon last name, and those who carry it are part of a somewhat exclusive family of “church farmers” descended from generations of successful farmers in Bavaria.
Order DNA origin analysisKirchhoefner: Where does the name Kirchhoefner come from?
The last name Kirchhoefner is commonly found in Germany today. The name has German origins, and roughly translates to “church court”, referring to the court of a church. It is most prevalent in the more southern region of Germany, specifically in the states of Bavaria and Hesse. In Bavaria, the name is concentrated around the region of Bavarian Swabia and around the city of Stuttgart.
In terms of numbers, the name Kirchhoefner is not a particularly common name. Records indicate that there are around 800 people with this name in Germany today. This places the name within the top 15,000 most common last names in the country.
Outside of Germany, it is quite rare to find someone with this surname. It is most commonly found in certain countries which have a strong connection to Germany, such as Austria, Switzerland, and the United States.
In the United States, the name Kirchhoefner is concentrated in the Midwestern and Eastern parts of the country. In particular, it is found clustered around the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, and Illinois.
Overall, the last name Kirchhoefner is most commonly found in Germany. It is most strongly concentrated in the states of Bavaria and Hesse. Additionally, the name can be found in other countries around the world as a result of German immigration.
Variations of the surname Kirchhoefner
The surname Kirchhoefner is derived from the German language and primarily originates from Central Europe. Variations and spellings of the surname include Kirchhofer, Kirchhöfner, Kirchhöffer, Kirchhaeuser, Krichhöfer, Krechhöfer and Krechhöfner.
Kirchhofner is the most common variant of the name, and is largely located in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The spelling Kirchhofer is established in southern Germany and Austria, and is also used inextensively throughout the United States.
Kirschhöfner is primarily located in Austria, and is derived from the German word "Kirchhof" which means "church courtyard." This variant is often spelled with two "f's" and an "ö", as Kirschhöffer. This spelling has become more popular among some of the descendants of those who immigrated to North America.
Kirchhaeuser is a variation of the surname found mostly in German-speaking Switzerland. The name is derived from the German word "Kirchhaus," which refers to the home situated within a church courtyard.
Krichhöfer is another variation of the name found mostly in the German-speaking region of Switzerland. This variant is believed to have evolved from the original spelling of Kirchhofner.
Krechhöfer and Krechhöfner are rare variants of the name found in Germany. The spelling is believed to have been influenced by the German words "krechen," meaning "place where nuts are cracked", and "höfen," which means "court".
Famous people with the name Kirchhoefner
1.Mark Kirchhoefner: a Licensed Professional Counselor and CEO of KEY Therapeutic Services in Texas. 2.Dennis Kirchhoefner: German composer, conductor and music educator. 3.Joseph Kirchhoefner: American soccer forward who played for several teams in the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). 4.Keith Kirchhoefner: American astronaut and a veteran of two space shuttle missions. 5.Anatoli Kirchhoefner: Russian-Australian master chef, restaurateur and television host. 6.Paul Kirchhoefner: American film director and producer. 7.Günter Kirchhoefner: German historian and philologist. 8.Robert Kirchhoefner: former National Football League player. 9.Ludvik Kirchhoefner: Austrian sculptor, illustrator and painter. 10.Tim Kirchhoefner: American sculptor and teacher located in Philadelphia.