Surname Lorch - Meaning and Origin

Lorch: What does the surname Lorch mean?

The last name Lorch is an anglicised form of the German surname Löhrich, or a variant of the name Loewe. As a German surname, Lorch is associated with the cities of Nuremburg, Wurzburg, and Augsburg. It is most commonly an Ashkenazic Jewish surname, meaning descendant of Levi.

The origins of the last name can be traced back to central Germany, where many Jews resided between the medieval and modern times. The loewe and löhrich variations of the name are both derived from the Medieval German noun löwe, meaning lion. This association with the lion likely served as a sign of strength in the community, thus becoming a part of the phrase used to describe the families.

The lion motif is seen throughout Jewish culture and has been used to symbolize strength and holiness for centuries. Additionally, the last name may be connected to the Lion of Judah, which is a symbol of strength and power in Judaism.

In other parts of the world, the last name is more commonly spelled as "Lorch". This variant likely derived from spoken language, as the two pronunciations "Lorch" and "Lowe-Rich" are quite similar. Whatever its origin, Lorch is a surname with a strong and powerful connotation that has been a part of many Jewish families for centuries.

Lorch: Where does the name Lorch come from?

The surname Lorch is most associated with the regions of Germany and Austria, particularly the area around Frankfurt, Germany. It was commonly found in the areas of Bavaria, the Rhineland, and the regions surrounding the Upper Rhine. The name is thought to be of Germanic origin, with the suffix "lauch" meaning stream or source.

In modern times, Lorch is still found predominantly in the same parts of Germany and Austria, having spread to other parts such as the cities of Munich and Berlin. People bearing the surname can also be found throughout the United States, particularly in urban areas with large German populations such as New York City, Chicago, and Columbus, Ohio.

The genealogy site MyHeritage states that there are over 23,000 people bearing the surname worldwide, with the majority of them living in Germany. In the United States, Illinois and New York have the greatest number of people with the surname Lorch. The surname is listed as the 18,478th most common name in the United States.

In general, the Lorch name is still popular in the areas of Germany and Austria, with a few smaller pockets of distribution throughout the United States. It is also a common name elsewhere in Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France.

Variations of the surname Lorch

The surname Lorch is a topographic and occupational surname derived from the Middle High German word 'loh' or 'lohhe' which means an enclosed place or clearing in the woods or a meadow. This surname is also associated with charcoal-burning or grazing land, thus likely conveying the meaning of someone who lived by a charcoal burning or grazing land.

The variants, spellings, and surnames associated with Lorch include Loren, Lörns, Lörnsche, Lohόw, Lohr, Lowr, Lōhrs, Lohars, Lourch, Lorsch, Loarchs, Lowrch, Lowrich, Loware, Loarche, Lowarch, Lippert, Leuthar, Lerch, Laourch, Laorch, and Lahr.

The Lorsch variant of this name is found in Middle High German references as early as 1327. Other variations of this surname include Lorchauer, Lorcher, Löhrich, Laorch, Rich, Lorchs, Laurich, Laurisch and Loritsch. Common variants of this name in the United States and Canada are Lorch, Lorchs, Lorsch and Lowrch.

The variants of this surname as well as its spellings and other associated surnames serve to provide evidence of the surname's origin story and its global reach as a name. The variants of this name span various European countries, including Germany, Austria, France, and the Netherlands.

Famous people with the name Lorch

• Erich Lorch: German mathematician.
• Joseph Lorch: German-born American sculptor.
• Krystal Lorch: Australian news presenter.
• Marc Lorch: English cricketer.
• Tacita Lorch: American Olympic figure skater.
• Walter Lorch: German architect.
• Alfred Lorch: German zoologist and ornithologist.
• Emily Lorch: American singer and musician.
• Gregory Lorch: English surgeon.
• Garnett Lorch: Canadian actor and director.
• Galina Lorch: Russian student activist.
• Paul Lorch: American football player.
• Alan Lorch: American professor of theater.
• Julie Lorch: American swimmer.
• Maria Lorch: German sprinter.
• Sarah Lorch: director of international relations.
• Mark Lorch: British chemistry professor.
• Jessica Lorch: Irish actress.
• Simon Lorch: American-German photographer.
• Michele Lorch: bestselling British author.

Other surnames

LorcanLorcherLörcher