Surname Bischer - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Bischer: What does the surname Bischer mean?
The last name Bischer is primarily of German origin, although variations can also be found among other Central and Eastern European cultures. The word Bischer is of West Germanic descent and means a dweller near a beech tree. This name was often given to people who lived close to gardens, farms, and parks that has a beech tree present.
Bischers are mainly found in Germany, as this is where the surname originated. However, it can also be found in countries like Austria, Switzerland, and the US, due to many people emigrating from these areas. Within Germany, there is a strong concentration of Bischers in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
As an occupational surname, Bischer may have been given to people who worked with the beech tree in some capacity. This could have been anything from an arborist to a woodcutter or a forester. In more modern times, Bischers have gone on to become distinguished in a myriad of industries such as medicine, academia, and politics.
The Bischer name is a proud one, symbolizing family legacy, industriousness, and wealth. Whether one is a resident of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, or the United States, they can be proud of their shared heritage with this last name.
Order DNA origin analysisBischer: Where does the name Bischer come from?
The last name Bischer is most common in German-speaking countries, particularly Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Although it can be found sporadically throughout Europe, the most densely populated areas are located within these countries. According to a German research institute, in 2019, nearly 2800 people carried the last name Bischer in Germany, with most of the highest population centers located in Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia. In Austria, the name Bischer is considerably less common, but is still carried by 100's of people. Similarly, research from Switzerland indicates that between 2000-2019, over 200 people had the name Bischer. It is likely that the name has migrated throughout the region during certain era's in history, although exact records of how it became so widespread is not available.
Variations of the surname Bischer
The surname Bischer is of Germanic origin and likely derived from the old Germanic word for "arrowsmith". Variants of the surname Bischer include Bisher, Bysher, Byshir, Bishir, Bischoof, Bishoef, Byshoef, and Byshwr. Common English and American misspellings of the name include Becher, Beshir, Busher, and Byshur. All of these variations arise because of the similar sound and distinct spelling of the word 'Bischer'.
The term 'Bischer' was used in the early days to refer to an arrow maker or 'fletcher'. Thus, it is likely that families using this surname were skilled in the craft of arrow making throughout Germany and other Germanic regions.
In addition to the standard spelling for the surname, there is also a common variant spelled 'Bichler'. This variation is found not only in Germany but also in many other countries where the spelling was changed to fit the local dialect. Some families who have this surname may alsorecognize that a short form, 'Bisch', is sometimes used as well.
Another interesting variant of the name is the Jewish spelling of B'tzchel. In this form, the first letter is the Hebrew letter Yod, which is pronounced as a B in German. This form of the surname would likely have arisen in towns or regions of Germany in which Jews were living during the Middle Ages and beyond.
Finally, some families bearing the surname Bischer may be Jewish Ashkenazi descendants of Polish immigrants. In this case, the surname might be rewritten to Byszczuk. All of these variations of the surname 'Bischer' refer to the same origin of the word – the arrowsmith.
Famous people with the name Bischer
- Bernd Bickel: German evolutionary computing expert and co-founder of the Evolutionary and Adaptive Systems Laboratory based at the University of Sussex
- Sandy Bichelmeyer: former American professional basketball player
- Peter Bischof: Austrian actor and singer
- Edgar Bicher: German film and television actor
- René Bischer: Swiss film director and producer
- Elly Bischer: German actress
- Heidi Bicher: Swiss actress
- Kate Bicher: American actress
- Josef Bicher: Austrian football player
- Luc Biccher: French-Catalan playwright