Surname Kirsh - Meaning and Origin
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Kirsh: What does the surname Kirsh mean?
The last name Kirsh is of Jewish origin, specifically Ashkenazic, which represents Jews who settled in the Rhine region of Germany and France. The name likely comes from the Yiddish or German word "Kirsch," which means "cherry," and it was often used to nickname a person with a rosy complexion or someone living by a cherry tree or a cherry orchard. Particularly in Eastern Europe and Germany, surnames were often derived from places, practical skills, father's names, or personal attributes. So, the name Kirsh could also potentially be linked to a location called something similar, or perhaps an occupation linked to cherry trees or fruits. As with many surnames, the meaning can vary based upon regional dialects and usage over time. It’s also worth noting that many Jews didn't have inherited family surnames until the late 18th or early 19th century when several European countries mandated the practice. Thus, Kirsh became established as a family name passed down through generations.
Order DNA origin analysisKirsh: Where does the name Kirsh come from?
The surname Kirsh is of Jewish Ashkenazic origin. The term “Ashkenazic” refers to Jewish individuals who descended from the medieval Jewish communities of the Rhineland in Germany. The surname Kirsh is a metronymic from the Yiddish female personal name Kershe, which is a pet form of the Hebrew name Keren-Happuch. It's also a German homonym of the word for 'cherry', resulting from the Yiddish term 'kirshn'.
However, the surname also has another geographical origin: from the German and Yiddish term 'kirsh' meaning ‘cherry’, this surname is potentially an occupational name for a grower or seller of cherries. The last name Kirsh might also be a habitational name from places named with this word, for example in Slovenia and Bavaria.
Today, the surname Kirsh is common in Israel. It is also prevalent in the United States, particularly in New York, Florida, and New Jersey. Additionally, the surname is found in decent quantity across Europe, especially in Germany and France. According to available databases, there are between 5,000 and 10,000 people with the surname Kirsh in the world today.
Variations of the surname Kirsh
The surname Kirsh has several variants, spellings, and related surnames mainly due to differences in regional dialects, translations, and phonetics. Some of these include Kirsch, Kirche, Kersch, Kiersch, Kersh, and Cirsch, among others. Similar surnames with the same origin may also include Kerscher, Kirschenmann, Kirschenbaum, and Kirschen.
The surname originated from Central Europe, notably Germany and surrounding countries, and was derived from the Middle High German word "kirse," meaning cherry. This was usually an occupational name for a grower or seller of cherries.
Another origin of the surname is the Ashkenazic Jewish community. Similar to the German origins, it also commonly referred to someone who either grew or sold cherries, or perhaps lived near a cherry tree.
The variations in spelling of Kirsh have also likely arisen due to immigration and the phonetic spelling of the surname in different countries. For instance, the surname may have been changed to match the phonetic pronunciation of the name in English speaking countries.
Please note that surname derivations can be complex and may include further subtleties based on local dialects and customs.
Famous people with the name Kirsh
- Danny Kirsh: Israeli actor and director.
- Sivan Kirsh: Winner of the 2019 Israeli Ink Prize for Young and Emerging Artists.
- Michele Kirsh: Canadian musician and singer.
- Byvan Kirsh: Israeli matzo company executive.
- Anshul Kirsh: Founder of the AI-for-Good initiative.
- Jeff Kirsh: American actor, director, and producer.
- Anquan Kirsh: Entrepreneur, investor, and founder of Grizzly Ink.
- Carly Kirsh: Award-winning composer and musician.
- David Kirsh: Founder and CEO of tech and media company LiveRail.
- Piey Kirsh: Israeli innovation thinker and educational technologist.