Surname Kirchhöfner - Meaning and Origin
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Kirchhöfner: What does the surname Kirchhöfner mean?
The last name Kirchhöfner derives from a German term, Kirchhof, which refers to an area near a church. This is where the name comes from and denotes someone associated with the church. In some cases, the name may be derived from the Old German words for "church" and "farmer." In this case, the original bearer of the name may have been a farmer who lived near a church.
In Germany, the name Kirchhöfner can also be used as an occupational name to describe a pastor or minister. The name might refer to someone who owned a plantation near a church or a priest who worked on church property. Similarly, in Bavaria and other German states, the name could refer to someone who held the office of bailiff or even a local official who was active in the village church.
The name was first found in records in the 15th century, when Johannes Kirchhofner was a member of the Strasburg chapter. The name can also be found in Aichach in Bavaria, in Brösel in Bavaria, in Oldenburg, in Hanover, in Ohrenbach, in Allendorf and in Baccara.
Overall, the name Kirchhöfner is derived from the German term for a church or farmer who lived near a church. Historically, this name was used to denote a pastor, farmer or official associated with a church. In Germany, the name can be found in records as early as the 15th century.
Order DNA origin analysisKirchhöfner: Where does the name Kirchhöfner come from?
The last name Kirchhöfner is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Austria, Germany and Switzerland. It is a frequent surname in many areas, especially those with a strong German heritage. In some parts of the German-speaking world, the name is also found as Kirchofer or Kirchoffen.
In Germany, Kirchhöfner is a frequent and relatively common surname. According to a search on the German Family Tree, an online genealogy database, there are at least 4,244 individuals with the Kirchhöfner surname in Germany today. The surname is especially concentrated in the western areas of the country, including North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, and Schleswig-Holstein. This indicates that the surname likely has its origins in western Germany.
In Austria, the name is slightly less common with 2,668 individuals listed in the Austrian Family Tree, though the surname is still relatively widespread throughout the country. In Switzerland, the surname is slightly more uncommon, with 1,555 individuals listed as having the Kirchhöfner surname in the Swiss Family Tree.
In the United States, there are just 203 individuals listed as having the last name Kirchhöfner. The majority of these individuals can be found in the states of Wisconsin and Minnesota, which have historically had strong ties to German immigrants.
Overall, the last name Kirchhöfner is most common in the German-speaking countries of Austria, Germany and Switzerland, though there are still a few individuals bearing this name living in the United States.
Variations of the surname Kirchhöfner
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Kirchhöfner can be found in the German and Swiss-German language. Variants of the surname include: Kirchenhöfner, Kirchöfner, Kirchenofner, Kirchoffner, Kirchhöffner, Kirchhoffer, Kirchhofer, Kirchehfer, Kirchhöffer, and Kirchhöfner.
The variations in spelling of the surname Kirchhöfner are due to the region or language in which it is used. In German, the name is often written as Kirchenhöfner or Kirchöfner, while in the Swiss-German dialect it is written as Kirchenofner or Kirchoffner. The spelling Kirchhoffer appears to be the most common variation found in the United States.
Kirchhöfner is derived from a German word which literally translates as “church court farmer.” It is a nickname given to someone who owned or worked on land near a church or chapel. This suggests the surname likely originated in rural village or town, where members of the same family were often employed in the same profession.
The surname Kirchhöfner is found in other German-speaking countries, particularily in the southern German regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Variations of the surname, such as Kirchenhöfner, Kirchöfner, Kirchenofner, Kirchoffner, Kirchhoffer, Kirchhofer, Kirchehfer, Kirchhöffer, and Kirchhöfner, can be found in records from Switzerland, Austria, and other European countries.
Famous people with the name Kirchhöfner
- Gregor Kirchhöfner: German handball player
- Ulla Kirchhöfner: German marathon runner
- Jürgen Kirchhöfner: German sociologist
- Martin Kirchhöfner: German graphic designer
- Alfred Kirchhöfner: German sculptor
- Barbara Kirchhöfner: German space scientist
- Franz Kirchhöfner: Austrian ski jumper
- Alla Kirchhöfner: Czech singer and voice actor
- Philipp Kirchhöfner: Austrian entrepreneur
- Monika Kirchhöfner: German painter
- Günther Kirchhöfner: German architect
- Franz Josef Kirchhöfner: Austrian composer