Surname Kerkhoff - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kerkhoff: What does the surname Kerkhoff mean?
The last name Kerkhoff is an occupational surname of Dutch and German origin, deriving from a Middle High German word for 'church yard'. It is likely to have been originally given to someone who worked as a caretaker at a local church and possibly tended the graveyard as well.
There is no clear consensus of the exact origin of the surname, with some records pointing to a location in Southern Netherlands, while other records suggest its origin is in Westphalia.
The name is still common in Germany. Its variant spelling, Kerchhoff, is also found in Dutch-speaking areas of Belgium. It is also found occasionally in the United States, especially among immigrants from German-speaking areas.
People with the last name 'Kerkhoff' have contributed to the public sphere in a number of different ways, including military service, education, finance and business, engineering, and politics. Among the most successful and influential were Lieutenant Colonel General Diedrich Kerkhoff, an important figure in the Prussian army during the Napoleonic Wars, and Garrey Kerkhoff, American financial executive and professor.
Ultimately, the last name Kerkhoff likely has multiple origins that remain hidden to this day. But whatever its precise origin, a number of people with the name Kerkhoff have gone down in history for their significant contributions to society.
Order DNA origin analysisKerkhoff: Where does the name Kerkhoff come from?
The last name Kerkhoff (or Kerkhoven) is most common in parts of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. In Germany it is the 3268th most popular surname. The origin of the name is Dutch, and it means "church court", possibly from a court set up to resolve disputes within a church.
In Belgium, Kerkhoff is the 1620th most common name, and it is particularly prominent in East Flanders and West Flanders provinces. In the Netherlands it is the 45th most common name. It is particularly popular in Overijssel and Gelderland provinces, as well as North Brabant province.
In addition, Kerkhoff is also found in North America. The United States has more than 1,300 people with the last name Kerkhoff, particularly concentrated in Wisconsin, Missouri, and Illinois. The largest concentration in the United States is in Wisconsin, where the Kerkhoff name was brought by settlers coming from the Netherlands. There are also some people with the Kerkhoff name in Canada, particularly in Ontario.
Variations of the surname Kerkhoff
Kerkhoff is a Dutch surname derived from the Old German word "kargerhof," meaning a barn, granary, or storehouse. Variants of this surname include Karhoff, Kerkhoven, Kerkhof, Kerkhoog, Kerkhoving, Kerhof, Kerkhove, and Kerkhovens.
In addition to the variants of the Kerkhoff surname, some of the spellings used for this surname are Kerkof, Kershant, Kerkhauf, and Kerkov.
People with the Kerkhoff surname have a number of origin countries, including Germany, Netherlands, France, and Belgium.
In the Netherlands, the Kerkhof spelling is more common, and other variants of this Dutch surname include Kerkhoff, Kerkhooft, Kerkhoffs, Kerkhofs, Kerkhooven, Kerkhoef, Kerkhove, and Kerkhofen.
In Germany, the spelling of the surname is often Kerkhoff, but some variations such as Kerkhoffen, Kërkhoôf, Kerkov, Kërkhoofen, Kerkhof, and Kerhoffen can be found as well.
In France, the Kerhof spelling is more common, but some renderings of this surname include Kerkhoff, Kerkhov, Kerkhof, Kerkhauf, Kerkov, Kerkhove, and Kerkhofs.
In Belgium, the most common spelling is Kerkhove, but variations such as Kerkhof, Kerkhauf, Kerkoof, and Kerkov can also be found.
No matter what spelling or variant is used, this surname has persisted through the centuries and has survived to be found in various countries around the world today.
Famous people with the name Kerkhoff
- Manuel Kerkhoff: Manuel is a German professional soccer player who currently plays as a striker for the Club Brugge in Belgium.
- Marcel Kerkhoff: Marcel is a German classical violinist who is most renowned for his mastery of Bach’s concerto for two violins.
- Stefan Kerkhoff: Stefan is a German television and film actor best known for his role in the movie “Good Bye, Lenin!”
- Wilhelmina Kerkhoff: Wilhelmina is a Dutch singer-songwriter who has become successful in the past decade with her chart-topping hits.
- Jacob J Kerkhoff: Jacob is an American Professor Emeritus of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle.
- Jan Kerkhoff: Jan is a Dutch-born sculptor who works predominantly with steel and welded metal.
- Dietmar Kerkhoff: Dietmar is a German entrepreneur who is the founder and CEO of the software company KERKHOFF Consulting Group
- Rolf Kerkhoff: Rolf is a German TV host and mountaineer who is the creative mind behind numerous documentaries focusing on nature and the outdoors.
- Winfried Kerkhoff: Winfried is a German foundation manager who is actively involved in the global media sector.
- Amanda Kerkhoff: Amanda is an American actress best known for her roles in the television series “General Hospital” and “The O.C.”