Surname Secher - Meaning and Origin
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Secher: What does the surname Secher mean?
The last name Secher is a French surname, which originates from the Old French word “seche”, meaning “dry”. Through this root word the surname has come to refer to a person who is honest, reliable, and steadfast. It also has a literal meaning, indicating a person who is careful or wise about their actions.
The name suggests a person of wisdom and foresight, who is discerning and is often seen as a responsible and hardworking member of a community. A Secher may be the individual others look to for sound guidance and direction. They often have high moral standards and are unlikely to yield to peer pressure or take part in bad behaviour.
In its French context, the name Secher carries a connotation of wealth, given the literal meaning of dry and the passing down of wealth when the land was divided amongst family. It indicates a family that was financially secure, as dry land was more sought after and earned more money than wet land.
Given its French origin, the name Secher is representative of an individual strong in character, reliable and hardworking nature as well as an influential person respected within their community. Along with these qualities comes a certain level of wealth that is often associated with the family’s name.
Order DNA origin analysisSecher: Where does the name Secher come from?
The last name Secher is most commonly found in France. According to census results, there were 6,024 people with this last name in the country as of 2016. It is also somewhat common in Luxembourg, with 1,052 people having the name, as well as the United States, where 4,405 individuals possess the moniker.
The Secher family name is an old French occupational name, referring to someone who held the role of "sauceur," which was a maker or seller of sauces, and is drawn from the Old French word "sauce." A source also claims the surname to be derived from the Germanic personal name "Sugar," which was a popular name dating back to the 12th century.
The surname Secher is most heavily concentrated in the northern French department of Nord, where, as of 2012, 5.1 percent of the population held the name. It is also relatively common in the other northern French department of Pas-de-Calais (3.3 percent) as well as in the French overseas territory of Martinique (3.2 percent).
The United States Secher populations are mostly concentrated in Florida, thanks to the high numbers of French immigrants who moved there in the 19th century. There are, however, individuals with the surname living in all 50 states.
Variations of the surname Secher
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Secher are Sacher, Secher, Sachar, Sachs, Saechs, Saecke, Sachert, Sachard, and Sackers.
The surname Secher is of German origin, derived from the Occitan word "sachier," meaning "to fabricate." It was likely brought to Germany by soldiers of the regional Langobardic kingdom who settled in the Rhineland during the Middle Ages.
The many variants of the surname Secher reflect the different dialects and languages used within the regions of Europe where it is found.
The variants Sacher, Secher and Sachar are the most common forms of the surname and are used mainly in Germanyand Austria.
Sachs and Saechar are used mainly in northern Germany, while Saecke is a dialectical form found in parts of Bavaria and Austria.
Sachert and Sachard are variants found mainly in southern Germany, while Sackers is the Dutch-German form of the name.
Among descendants of the original bearer of the surname Secher, the various spellings and variants of the surname have taken on a life of their own as separate surnames.
Famous people with the name Secher
- Nicolas Secher: A French historian and paleographer born in 1709. He was the director of the French National Library from 1745 to 1762.
- Frédéric Secher: A 19th-century French Neoclassical sculptor. He is known for his bust of Voltaire and Exaudi Domine, a neo-Baroque marble sculpture that won the gold medal at the Paris Salon of 1847.
- Thomas Secher: The author of Native Harvest: American Indian Wild Foods and Recipes. He is an advocate for wild food harvesting and was the co-founder of the Wild Food Club in 1986.
- Jørgen Olaus Secher: A 19th-century Norwegian politician who served as Prime Minister of Norway from 1858 to 1860. He was also a member of the Norwegian Parliament.
- Olaf Secher: A Danish politician and author born in 1891. He served as deputy chairman of the Danish Labour Party from 1935 to 1937.
- Christine Secher: A Danish actress and singer who appeared in the 1973 Danish drama Happiness Is The Thought.
- Søren Secher: A Danish television and radio producer and the former CEO of the DR TV news department.
- Christine Secher Friedberg: The screenwriter of the critically acclaimed Danish film Limbo.