Surname Höch - Meaning and Origin
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read moreHöch: What does the surname Höch mean?
The last name Höch is an old Germanic name. The root of the name is the word 'hoch', which is German for "height"; this can be translated to mean 'high' or 'tall' in English. It is thought to have been originally used to denote a person of noble status or a high official in the area in which the name is most commonly found – much of southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
The name is thought to have originated as a nickname for a person who was tall in stature. Over time, the name has become more common and is used by many people whose ancestors are not necessarily tall.
The meaning of Höch as a surname usually implies noble roots or upper-class status. It is derived from the Middle High German word 'Höch', which means 'high' or 'prominent'. In medieval times, the name was often used by members of the aristocracy, knights and other high-ranking officials.
As the name has become more widespread, individuals may vary in the interpretation of the meaning behind it. Some may believe that it reflects an individual’s ability to rise to the top, while others may think of the name as reflective of their ancestor’s elevated social status.
Ultimately, Höch is an old Germanic name, originally derived from a word meaning 'high'. Over time, it has been used to denote a person of nobility or high social standing. It may also come to signify an individual's ability to reach great heights.
Order DNA origin analysisHöch: Where does the name Höch come from?
The last name Höch is a German surname, so it is most commonly found in German-speaking regions. It is primarily found throughout German-speaking countries in Europe, such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Of these countries, Germany has the highest concentration of the last name Höch, with Austria and Switzerland following in second and third. However, it is also found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa, due to immigration from German-speaking countries in the past.
The last name Höch is derived from a form of the old German word "hoch," which means "high" or "tall," so it is likely that it was at one time originally a nickname for a especially tall or large man. Spelling variations of the last name Höch, such as Hoech and Hoeche, still exist today.
In terms of its prevalence today, the last name Höch is quite common throughout German-speaking countries. In Germany, an estimated 91,022 people carry the last name, making it the 111th most popular last name in the country. In Austria, it is the 91st most popular last name, with an estimated 8,959 people carrying it, while in Switzerland it is the 22nd most popular last name, with an estimated 12,831 people bearing it. The prevalence of the last name Höch suggests that it is a well-entrenched and historically significant name in German-speaking countries.
Variations of the surname Höch
The surname Höch has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common spelling is Höch. It is also spelled Hoeche, Hoeckel, Hoehe, Hoel, Hoelchel, Hoehle, Hoelke, Hoelker, Hoell, Hoelle, Hoelscher, Hoelsche, Hohl, Hohel, Hohelhe, Hoehl, Hoeler, Hoeling, Hoelken, Hoelke, Hoellken, Hoelmol, Hoenel, Hoenhle, Hohn, Honel, Honning, Hopp, Hoppe, Huhe, Huehne, Huehnle, Hühn, Huhel, Huhele, Huehl, Hühl, Huehnel, Huehnle, Huhn, and Huhele.
The name is of German origin and was originally primarily found in and around Bavaria. It can also be found in Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. It is derived from the Middle High German word "hōche", which means "high". The name was likely originally given to someone from a high geographical area, such as a hill or mountain.
Today, the surname can be found all over the world. Many Höch descendants have changed the spelling of their surname to a more English-friendly spelling, such as Hoech, Hoch, or Huch. Other descendants have chosen to keep the German spelling, but add an umlaut to the "o", creating the spelling Hofch.
Famous people with the name Höch
- Hanna Höch: German visual artist, one of the first female pioneers of Dadaism.
- Karl-Otto Höch: German musicologist.
- Franz Höch: Austrian painter and military general.
- Ferdinand Höch: Austrian composer and conductor.
- Mary Höch: German-American documentary filmmaker.
- Michael Höch: German professor of philosophy.
- Wolfgang Höch: Austrian sculptor and designer.
- Hertha Höch: German dancer and choreographer.
- Christian Höch: German Lutheran pastor.
- Justus Höch:German Protestant theologian.
- Johann Georg Höch: Austrian astronomer.
- Erich Johann Höch: German chemist who developed ionosurfactants.
- Hermann Höch: Austrian composer and musician.
- Gerhard Höch: German politician and minister president of Baden-Württemberg.
- Johann Leopold Höch: German composer and choral conductor.
- Sophie Höch: German photographer and visual artist.
- Jan Höch: Dutch visual artist and founder of the De Ploeg artist's group.
- Martin Höch: Austrian diplomat and foreign minister.
- Heinrich Höch: German military chaplain and military historian.
- Georg Gottfried Höch: German violist and composer.