Surname Kerkhofs - Meaning and Origin
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Kerkhofs: What does the surname Kerkhofs mean?
The last name Kerkhofs is of Dutch origin and is derived from the Flemish word for a churchyard or graveyard, where burials would be conducted. The surname Kerkhofs first appeared in records in the 12th century and is thought to be derived from the Middle Dutch words “kerk”, meaning church, and “hof”, meaning an enclosed property adjacent to a manor house.
The surname has evolved over time into numerous variations, including Kerkhoff, Kerkhoven, Kerkhove, Kerckhove, Kerckhof, Kerkhoffs and Kerckhoffz. It may have also changed due to variants in pronunciation and spelling throughout the centuries, particularly in Dutch dialects.
The fact that the name Kerkhofs originates from a term related to a church is not surprising, since in medieval times churches were a pivotal point of community life. The members of the Kerkhofs family worked and lived close to the church, often in estates owned by the church itself, and were likely responsible for its upkeep and maintenance.
Other than being associated with the church, there is little known about the Kerkhofs family’s place in history. Today the surname is most commonly found throughout Flanders and the Netherlands and those who bear it are typically of Dutch ancestry.
Order DNA origin analysisKerkhofs: Where does the name Kerkhofs come from?
The last name Kerkhofs is a surname belonging to a Dutch family originating from Limburg, the southern region of the Netherlands. It is still a commonly seen name in this area, and can also be found in other nearby regions, such as the Belgian provinces of Antwerp and Limburg.
The Kerkhofs family has been traced back to the late 16th century, when the original Kerkhofs resided in Valkenburg, a city in the area of Dutch Limburg. The family has also had a strong presence in nearby Belgian provinces, such as Antwerp and Limburg, as well as in the surrounding villages and towns.
The Kerkhofs family is quite prolific and many members can still be found in the small towns and villages that they have inhabited for centuries. Most of the members continue to live in Valkenburg and the surrounding Limburg region, and are spread throughout the area, often within walking distance from each other.
The Kerkhofs have remained an integral part of the Dutch and Belgian culture for centuries, and still remain a commonly seen name in their region today. They have a shared culture and history, and their surname is still proudly worn by many of their descendants.
Variations of the surname Kerkhofs
The surname Kerkhofs is of Dutch origin and is pronounced “KURK-hohfs”. It is a patronymic name deriving from the Dutch personal name “Kerk”, which means “church”. The variants and spellings of this surname include Kerkhoven, Kerkhoff, Kerkhove, Kerkhoef, Kerkhofen, Kerkhoffs, Kerkhoffen, Kerckhove, Kerckhoff, Kerkoven, Kerkoef, Kerkofs, Kerkop, and Kerckhoffs.
Similar surnames are also found in Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, especially among expatriate Dutch colonists in the Dutch East Indies, now modern Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. In the Philippines, for instance, the surname is spelled as Querckofs.
The variants of Kerkhofs found in Germany include Kerkhoffen, Kerkhoven, Kerkhoff, Kerkhove, Kerkof, Kerkop, Kerckhove, and Kerckhoff. Variants of the same surname found in Belgium include Kerkhoven, Kerkhoef, Kerkhofen, Kerkhoffs, and Kerkhoffen. Variants of this same surname can also be found in Luxembourg, such as Kerkhoven, Kerkhoff, Kerkhove, and Kerkhofen.
In the Netherlands, the variants of the surname Kerkhofs are Kerkhof, Kerkhove, Kerkhoef, Kerkhofen, Kerkhoffs, Kerkhoffen, Kerckhove, Kerckhoff, Kerkoven, Kerkoef, Kerkofs and Kerkop.
In conclusion, there are numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the Dutch surname Kerkhofs such as Querckofs in the Philippines, Kerkhoffen, Kerkhoven, Kerkhoff, Kerkhove, Kerkof, Kerkop, Kerckhove, and Kerckhoff in Germany, Kerkhoven, Kerkhoef, Kerkhofen, Kerkhoffs, and Kerkhoffen in Belgium, and Kerkhof, Kerkhove, Kerkhoef, Kerkhofen, Kerkhoffs, Kerkhoffen, Kerckhove, Kerckhoff, Kerkoven, Kerkoef, Kerkofs and Kerkop in the Netherlands.
Famous people with the name Kerkhofs
- 10 CC Founding Member Kevin Godley: Best known for his work with 10cc, Kevin Kerkhofs is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. He was a founding member of the influential band, which had numerous hit singles including “I’m Not in Love” and “Dreadlock Holiday” as well as having a successful solo career.
- Luc Kerkhofs: A prominent Belgian economist and professor, Luc Kerkhofs is best known for his research on economic organization and industrial restructuring. His work has won him multiple awards, and he currently serves as a research director for the Brussels-based think tank, the Flemish Institute for Technological Research.
- Frits Kerkhofs: A former professional cyclist, Frits Kerkhofs competed in a number of races throughout Europe and the United States. He also had a successful career as a commercial cyclist, driving a successful team of cyclists.
- Peter Kerkhofs: A Dutch footballer, Peter Kerkhofs started his career playing for the amateur club, VV Bemmel, and went on to play professionally for numerous teams throughout the Netherlands and Belgium.
- Piet Kerkhofs: A jazz guitarist, Piet Kerkhofs was known for his subtle improvisations and virtuosic style. He was a member of the Frankfurt Jazz Orchestra and toured extensively with the band, delighting audiences around the world with his unique guitar playing.
- Paul Kerkhofs: a Dutch artist and sculptor from Amsterdam, Paul Kerkhofs is best known for his abstract sculptures and installations. His art has been shown in numerous cities around the world, including his hometown of Amsterdam, and he has won numerous awards for his work.