Surname Desch - Meaning and Origin
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Desch: What does the surname Desch mean?
The last name Desch is a German-origin surname. It is derived from the German word desch, meaning “platter” or “table.” The surname may have been originally be given to someone who owned or operated a tavern, which would likely have featured large wooden tables for guests to share their meals and drinks. The name may also have derived from the Old German word desch, which means “descendant,” as it was commonly associated with those of lower status in the social hierarchy.
The surname Desch is found throughout Germany and throughout Europe, appearing in countries such as Austria, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and even France. In the United States, the surname is fairly rare, but does appear in some areas of the Midwest and along the East Coast. Because the surname is derived from a German word, it is largely associated with German-American populations, and is sometimes anglicized as Dush when spelling variations occur.
The surname Desch is associated with many notable figures, including Polar explorer Jean-Baptiste Charcot, the Dutch painter and engraver Claes Jansz. Visscher, Germany’s first Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, and artist Franz Marc. It is also a fairly popular surname, appearing widely throughout the world and even across the United States. By understanding the origin and meaning of the surname, it provides a small glimpse into the past and how those who held it were associated with their occupations beyond just a name.
Order DNA origin analysisDesch: Where does the name Desch come from?
The last name Desch is most common in North America. Desch is of German origin and is believed to be derived from the Old German given name “Desiderius’, meaning ‘beloved, desired’.
In the United States, the Desch surname is concentrated mainly in the western states of California, Arizona, and Nevada. California has the largest population of Deschs, accounting for 33% of all Desch households in the US. The second-most populous state for Deschs is Arizona with the Desch family living in nearly 9% of all Arizona households. Nevada is home to roughly 6% of all Desch households.
In Canada, the Saskatchewan province accounts for the largest Desch population. Deschs account for 0.2% of the total Canadian population and are most numerous in the two largest provinces—Ontario and Quebec. In other parts of the world, Desch is also quite prominent in Germany, where the last name is very common in the northern and western parts of the country. Desch is also relatively common in Brazil and the Netherlands.
Overall, the Desch family is fairly small but widely dispersed around the world. Deschs are known to be philanthropic, often supporting local charities, school systems, and medical research projects. Deschs also have a strong civic pride and are active participants in local government.
Variations of the surname Desch
The surname Desch and its variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin originate from the Roman and Germanic form of Decius, a given name deriving from the Latin Deceius which means “bearer of ten”.
Variants of the surname Desch include Desche, Deschman, Descha, Descheli, Deschler, Descoli, Descoly, Decs, Desco and Descol.
Variations in spelling can be found in Desh, Desch, Des, Deshman, Desham, Deshamm, Deschmann, Deesch, Deessch and Deesh.
Some of the surnames of the same origin as Desch include Desco, Descoly, Descoli, Descoly, Desscholf, Dosch and Dusch.
In Germany, the surname Desch or Desche is most commonly found in the region of Saxony-Anhalt, the Rhineland region and the southwest of Germany. In the United States, Desch is most commonly found in Ohio, Wisconsin and Indiana. In Canada, the Desch surname is most common in Alberta.
In England, Desch or Deschman is most commonly found in Cornwall, Yorkshire and North West England.
Famous people with the name Desch
- Karl Desch: German ranching pioneer
- Georg Desch: Austrian botanist and plant physiologist
- Lorenz Desch: Swiss tennis player of the 1930s
- Johannes Desch: Austrian composer
- Julian Desch: Austrian-Brazilian swimmer
- Heinz Desch: Austrian composer
- Erich Desch: German mountaineer
- Hans Desch: Austrian composer
- Johann Desch: Swiss politician and philanthropist
- Albert Desch: Dutch writer and politician