Surname Kirchhöfel - Meaning and Origin
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Kirchhöfel: What does the surname Kirchhöfel mean?
The last name Kirchhöfel is a German surname deriving from the Middle High German word “kirchehövel,” which literally translates to “church hill.” It is believed the surname was originally used by someone who lived in or near a church hill, either because they owned the church or lived within its vicinity.
Throughout history, this surname has been passed down through the Kirchhöfel family and is still used today in a variety of countries, including Germany, the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe. The most common variations of the name are “Kirchhofel,” “Kirchoffel,” “Kirchhöfler,” and “Kirchhoff.”
Kirchhöfels that emigrated from Germany were typically farmers, and the most common occupation listed on immigration records was farm laborer. These individuals were likely fleeing either poverty or political unrest, as was the case during the mid-1800s.
Kirchhöfel family members today encompass a wide variety of professions, ranging from academics to military personal, business professionals, and more. They are a hardworking and diverse group with a deep connection to their ancestral roots.
No matter how many generations of Kirchhöfels have come and gone since the family first settled in a church hill, the name is a reminder of their ancestral history—one which is filled with an appreciation of the land and a respect for the power of faith.
Order DNA origin analysisKirchhöfel: Where does the name Kirchhöfel come from?
The last name Kirchhöfel is commonly found in Germany today. It is most common in the southern region of Bavaria, where the original Kirchhöfel family is believed to have originated. In Bavaria, the last name Kirchhöfel is also occasionally found among Jewish and Gypsy families. The name is also found in several other countries in Central and Eastern Europe, including Austria, Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
In the United States, the last name is much rarer, but has become increasingly common over the years due to immigration from Europe. The states with the highest concentration of people with the last name Kirchhöfel are California, Texas, Illinois, New York, and New Jersey.
The meaning of the name Kirchhöfel is uncertain, but it is speculated that the name originally referred to the people who worked and lived at a church in the Bavarian village of Kirchhöfel. It is possible that the surname was adopted by families who later migrated from Bavaria to other parts of Germany, and eventually to other countries around the world.
It is estimated that there are over 800 people in Germany with the last name Kirchhöfel. While the name is not particularly common, it still has a long history with the Kirchhöfel family, which has spread from its Bavarian roots throughout Europe and beyond.
Variations of the surname Kirchhöfel
Kirchhöfel is a German surname with several variations and spellings, including Kirchhofel, Kirchhaefel, Kirchhäfel, Kirchhövel, Kirchhoefel, and Kirchhöffel. It is a toponymic surname, derived from various places named with the German word “Kirchhof”, meaning “churchyard”. Over the years, as the name was passed down from generation to generation, slight alterations occurred, resulting in the different spellings of the name.
The most commonly used of the variations is Kirchhöfel, with Kirchhöffel being the second most common. Kirchhausen and Kirchhauser are other regional variants, derived from the place name “Kirchhausen”. Most of the variations are found in areas of Germany and Austria.
Kirchhöfel is also a patronymic surname, derived from the first name “Kirchhöfel”. This name could have been derived from a variety of different personal first names, such as “Kirchhofer”, “Kirchheifer”, or “Kirchhofmann”.
The surname Kirchhöfel is shared by several distinct branches of a family. Some branches of the family use differing variations of the surname while others use the name in its original form. Among the various branches of the family, spellings for the surname vary from Kirchhofel to Kirchhöfel.
Other surname variants include Kirchhefel, Kirchhuefel, Kirchhuevel, and Kirchhueffel. These variations are mostly found in areas of Germany. Over time, as omissions and other changes occurred, certain iterations of the original surname such as Kisthöfel and Kiethöfel have also emerged.
To sum up, Kirchhöfel is a German surname that can be written in many different ways due to regional influences, transliterations, and subtle changes. Various spellings and alternative surnames, such as Kirchhöffel, Kirchhausen, and Kirchhauser, are derived from the original surname.
Famous people with the name Kirchhöfel
- Annegret Kirchhöfel: Annegret is a German politician and chairwoman of the conservative and pro-European party Alternative for Germany (AfD). She was elected to the state parliament of Thuringia in 2019 and has been actively advocating for democratic reforms in Thuringia and Germany since.
- Friedrich Wilhelm Kirchhöfel: Friedrich Wilhelm was a German opera singer and house composer at the court of the Grand Dukes of Baden from 1845-1876, where he wrote two operas.
- Emil Kirchhöfel: Emil is a German alpine skier and Olympic medalist. He won a bronze medal in the giant slalom at the 1984 Winter Olympics. He also placed 2nd overall in the World Cup season in 1976.
- Hans Kirchhöfel: Hans is a German football coach and former player. He was the goalkeeper of the East German Olympic football team in 1976, where he won a bronze medal. He has also coached several clubs and teams in Germany.
- Julius Kirchhöfel: Julius was a German entomologist and naturalist who notably wrote the book “The Butterflies of Central and South-western Bavaria” in 1886.