Surname Kerkow - Meaning and Origin
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Kerkow: What does the surname Kerkow mean?
The last name Kerkow is an Americanization of the German surname Kerkhoff, which originated from the name of an old Germanic personal name in which the first element was kerke, meaning “church.” Therefore, the overall origin of the name could mean “from the church” or “of the church” or “belonging to the church.”
The Kerkow family appears first in the United States in the late 1700's and early 1800's when many of the family’s ancestors emigrated to the United States from Germany. This particular family likely originated in Nassau an Rhine Provinces and moved to the United States in large numbers during the late 18th century and 19th century German immigration waves.
In the United States, many of the family members settled in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, and their progeny were often farmers. Over the last century, members of the Kerkow family have spread far and wide, with some descendants settling in Oregon, South Dakota, Michigan, and Ohio.
Overall, the Kerkow surname is a testament to the influence of German immigrants, and it's a reminder of the remarkable journey of many families in search of a better life in America. It is also a reminder of the bond that can be formed between people and their faith – after all, their ancestors sought and found a spiritual refuge in churches in the new land.
Order DNA origin analysisKerkow: Where does the name Kerkow come from?
The last name Kerkow is a German surname and is most commonly found in Germany today, particularly in the northern part of the country. Other countries where the name is present include Switzerland, Austria, and the Netherlands. However, it can also be found in other European countries such as France, Czech Republic, and Poland.
In the United States, the name Kerkow is also present in various parts of the country such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, Oregon, Washington, and Illinois. Although the name may not immediately evoke European heritage, many generations of Kerkows have been living in the United States for several generations.
Kerkow is a distinctive surname, and many of its current bearers are descendants of European immigrants who arrived with this name. Many of the descendants of these immigrants have become Americanized and have developed a unique identity as Americans of German descent, with a strong sense of belief in their German ancestry.
As with other German surnames, some Kerkows today have adopted other variations of the name such as Kerkoff, Kerkholz, and Kerke. In any case, wherever one looks, the Kerkow name is still around, and those who bear this surname can be referred to proudly as descendants of the hardworking immigrants who contributed to the culture and economy of the countries they settled in.
Variations of the surname Kerkow
The surname Kerkow is a German surname which is derived from the Bavarian term "Kerkenwalde". This is a place name derived from an old Germanic root meaning "an area of land where people settle". The variants and spellings of the surname Kerkow include Kerkhof, Kerkhoff, Kerkau, Kerkauf, Kerkowf, Kerkof, and Kerkvelt. The surname Kerkow can also be found in Dutch records as Kerkhof or Kerkhoff.
Other surnames derived from the same Bavarian term for settlers' land are Kerkhofs, Kerkhoffen, Kerkwijk, and Kerkweg. The Low German spelling of Kerkow is Kerkof and in the context of Danish is Kerkvig. Occasionally, a shortened version is also found, as Kerkenwald.
Related surnames include Kerchen, Kerer, Kerkhold, Keren, Kerens, Kires, Kircher, and Kirshbaum. The Poster surname is also sometimes associated with Kerkow as it is derived from the same root meaning settlers' land. Moreover, Kerkhoff is a common variant of the name in Dutch records. Furthermore, some variants in UK records include Kerwin and Kirmse.
In summary, the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Kerkow are Kerkhof, Kerkhoff, Kerkau, Kerkauf, Kerkowf, Kerkof, Kerkvelt, Kerkhofs, Kerkhoffen, Kerkwijk, Kerkweg, Kerchen, Kerer, Kerkhold, Keren, Kerens, Kires, Kircher, Kirshbaum, Kerkenwald, Poster, Kerwin and Kirmse.
Famous people with the name Kerkow
- Paul Kerkow: Paul Kerkow is an American professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Bellator MMA and Legacy Fighting Alliance promotions.
- Yohann Kerkow: Yohann Kerkow is a French boxer who competes in the super lightweight division. He is a former French national champion who has competed in competitions such as the World Series of Boxing and New Blood Championship.
- Chris Kerkow: Chris Kerkow is an American sports anchor and reporter for Fox 8 News/ Fox Sports Ohio. He previously served as an anchor and reporter at the Cleveland Fox affiliate for seven years.
- Jo Kerkow: Jo Kerkow is a German cross-country skier who competed for East Germany in the 1960s. She had two podium finishes in the Winter Olympics and is a four-time world champion.
- Richard Kerkow: Richard Kerkow is an American political figure associated with the Green Party of the United States. He serves as the vice-chairman of the party.
- Katie Kerkow: Katie Kerkow is an American professional wrestler who currently competes for various independent promotions in the United States.
- Felix Kerkow: Felix Kerkow is a German freerunner and stunt performer who is a member of the Las Vegas based stunt team, Trick-It-Tv. He has performed stunts for various films and television shows including “The Amazing Spiderman 2”.