Surname Tschernisch - Meaning and Origin

Tschernisch: What does the surname Tschernisch mean?

The last name Tschernisch is German in origin and is derived from the personal name Chernin, which is in turn derived from the word “chernov”, which means black. It's likely that early holders of the Tschernisch surname were people of dark hair or dark skin.

The name Tschernisch is found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It could refer to a blacksmith or a person of black ancestry. It could also be linked to a person who lived near a blacksmith's workshop.

In some cases, the Tschernisch surname may have developed from the personal name Chernig, which is derived from the name Chernigov, the capital of Ukraine. It is possible that early holders of the Tschernisch surname relocated to Germany from Ukraine, or that the use of their surname reflected the relationship between the two countries in the past.

Tschernisch is an uncommon name in modern day, but its origin and potential meaning is indicative of the rich etymology behind German last names. It's likely that the origin of the name Tschernisch reflects a strong cultural and religious background of its early holders.

Tschernisch: Where does the name Tschernisch come from?

The last name Tschernisch is most commonly associated with Germany and the surrounding region. It is believed to have originated in the early Middle Ages, with the first recorded mention in 10th century records. Tschernisch is found in both Germany and in parts of Central and Eastern Europe, and many of the original Tschernisch families are still in the area today.

The spelling of the name Tschernisch varies depending on the region it is found in. In many German-speaking countries, the name is spelled "Tschernitsch", while in Polish speaking countries it is spelled "Tczernicz". In some places, such as the U.S., the name has been Anglicized to “Chernish” or “Chernishchuk”.

Today, the Tschernisch family is most common in Germany. An estimated 275,000 people share that last name, with the most populous regions being Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Rhineland-Palatinate. There is also a concentration of the Tschernisch family in the city of Bremen, where they make up around 1.5% of the local population.

The Tschernisch family is also represented in the U.S., mainly due to emigration in the 19th and 20th centuries. The families mainly settled in New York and states further west, in places such as California, Nebraska, and Montana. U.S. Census data from 2020 estimates that anywhere from 7 – 12 thousand people carry the name Tschernisch in the United States today.

Variations of the surname Tschernisch

Tshernysh -This surname is a variant of Tschernisch and it is likely derived from the Russian term “tshēr-ny-shch,” which means “black” or “dark.”

Tschernischy -This variant spelling of the surname is more commonly found in Ukraine. It is derived from the same origin as the Tschernisch surname.

Tscherniski -This variant is less common and is typically found in Poland, sometimes spelled “Tscherniskiy” instead.

Tschernissky - The “ssky” suffix is usually associated with a Russian surname indicating direct descent from a noble or aristocrat. However, this also appears to be a variant of “Tschernischy.”

Tshernyshov, Tschernischov -This variation of the surname is a patronymic, which means it is derived from the father’s name. The suffix “ov” is a common patronymic ending in Russian, and it indicates that the bearer of this surname is related to one with the given name Tsherneg (the father's name).

Tschernishchenko -This version of the surname has a more Ukrainian flavor, as it is written in a way that combines both the Russian and Ukrainian rendering of surnames. The ending “chenko” is typically associated with Ukrainian surnames.

Chernysh -This is another Ukrainian variant of Tschernisch, likely derived from the same origins. Some versions of this include “Chernyshev,” “Chernishchev,” or “Chernyshow.”

Tschernich -This variant of the surname looks closer to the original Russian spelling, though it has been adapted to fit the spelling conventions of other languages.

Chernys -This shortened variant of Tschernisch is a testament to the nickname origins of the surname.

Tschernitskiy -This spelling of the surname is a hybrid of the more commonly found “Tschernischy” and the more rarely encountered “Tscherniski.”

As evident, the surname Tschernisch has various spellings and surnames of the same origin, such as Tshernysh, Tshernyshov, Tschernischov, Tschernishchenko, Chernysh, Chernyshev, Chernishchev, Chernyshow, Tschernich, Chernys, and Tschernitskiy. Each variant has its own connotations and roots, though they all likely stem from a shared origin.

Famous people with the name Tschernisch

• Wolfgang Tschernisch: Austrian composer, pianist, musical theorist, and musicologist.
• Jens Tschernisch: Former German professional cyclist.
• Daniel Tschernich: American poet born in New York City.
• Olga Tschernich: German physicist and academic.
• Nataly Tschernich: Famous Russian violinist.
• Martin Tschernisch: Austrian former ski jumper.
• Alexander Tschernisch: Professional Russian ice hockey defenseman.
• Tim Tschernisch: German chess grandmaster.
• Maike Tschernisch: German rower who won the bronze medal at the 1993 World Rowing Championships.
• Carly Tschernisch: American oboist and conductor.

Other surnames

Tscherniak