Surname Bischoph - Meaning and Origin
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Bischoph: What does the surname Bischoph mean?
The last name Bischof is a German name. In German, the word "bischof" translates to "bishop". This surname originated as an occupational surname as bishops were historically important figures in most parts of the world.
It is likely that the Bischof surname first originated as an occupational name during the Middle Ages as it was much more common at that time to name a person based on their profession. In many areas, this surname may have been adopted in order to indicate one’s profession or rank. As bishops were particularly respected during the Middle Ages, it was likely that the Bischof surname was adopted as a surname and passed down through the generations.
The earliest records of the Bischof name date back to the 13th century in Saxony. Records from this time period indicate that people with this surname were powerful and influential figures in their communities. It is also likely that many people with this surname took on other professions, such as merchants, blacksmiths, and tailors, over the centuries.
Today, the Bischof surname is still relatively common in Germany and in other areas where German is spoken. There are also many people in the United States, Canada, and other countries who have adopted this surname as their own. For those who have the Bischof surname, it is a reminder of their history and of the importance of the bishop and the profession of Bishop in centuries gone by.
Order DNA origin analysisBischoph: Where does the name Bischoph come from?
Today the surname Bischoph is mostly prevalent in the United States. While it is not one of the more common surnames in America, it does have a presence as the 140,337th most popular last name in the country. This surname is of German and Dutch descent and most likely came into the United States during one of two waves of European immigration in the 19th and early 20th century.
Variations of the name Bischoph can be found across the country and are most noticeable in some of the more rural areas. This name is clustered in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, the latter of which is home to over 3,000 individuals who carry the Bischoph surname. While there is a smattering of members of the Bischoph family all around the nation, the biggest concentrations are believed to be in the Midwest.
Given its Germanic roots, it should come as no surprise that this surname is most prominent in states populated by immigrants from Germany, the Netherlands, and nearby areas. Many of these immigrants likely found themselves settling in midwestern states like Minnesota and Wisconsin. In fact, census records show that Wisconsin has the second-highest concentration of Bischophs in the entire United States.
The Bischoph surname can also be found in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany, although the numbers outside the United States are significantly less. As with many immigrant surnames, the Bischoph name has become part of the cultural fabric of America and has a presence in most of the states.
Variations of the surname Bischoph
The surname Bischoph is of German origin and has various spellings, variants and surnames of the same origin. Spellings of the surname Bischoph include Bischoff, Bischop, Bischoffe, Bischof, Bishoff, Bishor, Bischofe, and Bischoup.
Other surnames of the same origin are Bishope, Bishopp, Bishow, Biscoff, Bissoff, Bishau, Biship, and Bischdoff. The letter "h" in Bischoph is sometimes dropped, which results in the spelling "Biscop".
Variants of the surname Bischoph depend on the region it is used in. In Germany, the spelling "Bischoff" is usually found. In the United States, however, the spelling "Bishoff" is more common.
The surname Bischoph is a popular surname that can be found throughout the world. It is especially common in Germany, where it is one of the most frequently occurring surnames according to the German Name Statistics Index.
The surname Bischoph is derived from the Middle High German word bischof, which means "bishop". It was originally an occupational surname, given to individuals who held positions held by bishops. It is still used today as a patronymic surname, typically found in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.
Famous people with the name Bischoph
- Wolfgang Bischoph: a German former ski jumper who competed in the 1988 Winter Olympics
- Manfred Bischoff: a German-born businessman and former Chairman of Daimler AG
- Michael Bischoff: a former professional tennis player from the United States
- Andreas Bischof: a retired Swiss footballer
- Urs Bischof: a Swiss former professional ice hockey player
- Michel Bischoff: a former professional French football player
- Olga Bischof: a German track and field athlete
- Johann Bischof: a German glass artist known for his stained glass in churches
- Frank Bischof: a German bicycle racing champion
- Günter Bischof: an American historian of German and Austrian history