Surname Kärchner - Meaning and Origin

Kärchner: What does the surname Kärchner mean?

The surname Kärchner is a German-language surname likely derived from the Old High German word “Kar” or “Ker,” meaning “kar (a type of cart)” or “chariot.” The suffix “er” indicates a person whose profession was associated with chariots or carts. The Kärchner surname was likely used for people who owned and operated chariots or carts, such as for horse-drawn transport of goods or passengers.

The surname may also have originally been derived from the Middle High German term “Kärcher,” meaning “merchant,” “driver of an ox-cart” or “wagoner.” This meaning fits the likely ancient professions of those bearing the name. Given the strong association with ox-carts, the name may have originally been associated with people who transported goods or passengers down ancient trade routes.

Kärchner is still a common surname today, primarily among people living in Germany, Austria, and Central and Eastern Europe. It is still used to refer to people who specialize in driving wagons and chariots, such as farmers and horse show competitors. Additionally, those with the surname Kärchner may have a variety of other professions from those practiced by their ancestors hundreds of years ago.

Kärchner: Where does the name Kärchner come from?

The last name Kärchner is most commonly found today in the German-speaking region of Europe, primarily in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. According to the World Names PublicProfiler data, Kärchner is the 1292nd most commonly found family name in Germany, with around 1,400 people currently carrying the last name. It is also the 1137th most common family name in Austria, and the 541st most common family name in Switzerland, with almost 2,200 individuals currently with this surname.

Outside of the Germanic-speaking region of Europe, Kärchner is not found to be particularly widespread, with low numbers of individuals in the United States, Canada, England, Scotland, Australia and New Zealand.

The origin of the last name Kärchner is interesting. The name is derived from a word meaning “craft” or “trade”, parties of craftsmen banded together and set up guilds to protect their trades. This guildsmen eventually adopted this name, Kärchner, as their hereditary last name. Alternatively, it is possible the surname has derived from an occupational name meaning “baker”, derived from the Old High German “Korchan”, which means “baker”.

Finally, it could also have origins as a topographical name, referring to those who lived near to the edge of a wood. This is derived from the Middle High German “Kerche”, meaning “edge, boundary, border”.

Variations of the surname Kärchner

Kärchner is a German surname of uncertain origin. It is believed to be derived either from a nickname for a person who hailed from the town of Karches in Brandenburg, Germany or from the personal name Kärch. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include:

•Karcher

•Karger

•Karchert

•Karhner

•Karner

•Karnes

•Karney

•Karns

•Kahrchner

•Kercher

•Kercher

•Kerchevan

•Kerchner

•Kerch

•Kerchmann

•Kirker

•Kirchner

•Karch

•Karchner

•Karchun

•Karker

•Kercker

•Kerckerhüter

•Kerchander

•Kerchover

•Kerczmer

•Karczner

•Kercznere

•Kerczmar

•Kerczman

•Kerschner

•Kersch

•Kerscht

•Kersze

•Kerszner

•Kirch

•Kirschner

•Kerchhoff

•Kerpitsch

•Kertch

•Kertches

•Kirches

•Kirchhoff

•Kirchhofer

•Kirchhoferin

•Kirchhöffer

•Kircher

•Kirchens

•Kerchgen

•Kerchgens

•Kergen

•Kerger

•Kerges

•Kirgis

•Kergin

•Kirckey

•Kirks

•Kurger

•Kürger

•Kürgerin

•Kürzers

•Kurz

•Kurzner

•Kurzweg

•Kercker

•Kerkel

•Kerckhoff

•Kerhlag.

These spellings and surnames are largely used in German-speaking areas and were derived from the original surname of Kärchner. The most common modern day spellings are Kärchner and Karcher.

Famous people with the name Kärchner

• Willy Kärchner: popular German actor, known for his roles in Big Deal on Madonna Street (1958), The Devil Strikes at Night (1957), and The Angel with the Trumpet (1950)
• Klaus Kärchner: award-winning German composer and pianist, best known for his works for the theatre and film, notably Fellini-Satyricon (1969).
• Josef Kärchner: German military officer who served in World War II and was later chief of staff of the Bundeswehr, West Germany's military.
• Kuno Kärchner: poet and artist from East Germany, his work is known for its strong social and political content.
• Kurt Kärchner: former German racing driver, he competed in sports car racing in the 1950s and early 1960s.
• Erich Kärchner: German entrepreneur and aviator, co-founder of the highly successful aircraft company Junkers Flugzeugwerke in 1914.
• Hans-Jürgen Kärchner- German bobsledder who competed in the 1964 and 1968 Winter Olympics, winning bronze medals in both.

Other surnames

KaackKaacksteenKaadenKaajavaKaakKaakschliefKaardinKaardinenKaartinenKaavaKabacoffKabacovKabakKabakciKabakoffKabakovKabakowKabasakalKabeKabelKäbelKabellKabenKäberKäberichKäberleinKäbermannKabernagelKabesKabina