Surname Kerkhof - Meaning and Origin
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Kerkhof: What does the surname Kerkhof mean?
The last name Kerkhof is of Dutch origin and is derived from the word ‘kerk’, which means church. The name is thought to have been created when someone from a family who lived near a church took the name as their own. The name has also been recorded as Kerkhoff and Kerkhoffs.
The surname is linked to various branches of the same family. These families were based in the northern provinces of Flanders in Belgium, as well as the Netherlands. One of the earliest records of someone with the last name Kerkhof was a man named Claus Kerkhof from Ostervolent in Flanders, who was recorded as having served as a soldier in the 1400s.
Today, there are many families in the Netherlands and Belgium who still use the surname Kerkhof. In addition, the name has spread to many other parts of the world. In the United States, for example, many people with the surname Kerkhof (and variants) are thought to have been descended from Dutch or Belgium individuals who migrated to America in the 1800s and 1900s.
Overall, the meaning of the last name Kerkhof is linked to its origin, as it implies a family who had roots with a church. This surname is associated with many branches of the same family and is found today in many parts of the world.
Order DNA origin analysisKerkhof: Where does the name Kerkhof come from?
The last name Kerkhof is most commonly found in the Netherlands. It is also prevalent in the countries of Belgium and Germany, which the Netherlands borders. This suggests the name has been passed through immigration of Dutch people to neighbouring countries over the years. The name may also trace its origin to Germany, from the occupational title “Kerkhof” meaning “churchyard” in German.
In the Netherlands, most of the Dutch people with this surname come from the provinces Guelders, Overijssel, and Groningen. This is because the Netherlands was once divided into seven provinces and the people who lived in these provinces would have likely adopted and spread the same surname over time. According to the Central Bureau for Genealogy’s genealogical database, Kerkhof is the 517th most common name in the Netherlands.
In the United States, the last name Kerkhof is rarely found. However, it is more common in the state of Iowa, as a result of the Dutch settlement in the 19th century. The highest population density of Kerkhof’s in the United States is mainly concentrated in Sioux County, Iowa. Similarly, Kerkhof can also be found in Canada, with the highest density found in the province of Alberta, in the small town of Grimshaw, with a population of only 1,500.
Finally, the name is also spread across South and Central America, Australia and New Zealand, and throughout Europe, indicating that the name has been largely passed through immigration over the years to other countries. It is likely the name is still spreading today, as the Dutch population continues to migrate and become more globally dispersed.
Variations of the surname Kerkhof
The surname Kerkhof is of Dutch origin, and was originally spelled as Kerkhof. This surname translates to “church yard” in Dutch. Variations of this surname include Kerkhoven, Kerckehoven, Karkhoven, Kerhof, Kerkhoff, and Kerkhove.
Kerkhof is a common surname in the Netherlands, and was likely taken on by those who played an important part in the running of the church, such as a church servant, clergyman, or landowner. Over time, due to spelling mistakes and changing local dialects, the surname has changed and adapted to different forms.
The spelling Kerckhoff can be found in Germany, the Netherlands, and the USA. This spelling of the surname originates from the German city of Detmold, and the Bünden or Bergen region of the Netherlands. In addition to the spelling, the surname was also adapted in the American variant Kerkhoff.
Kerkhoven can also be found throughout the Netherlands, and is a popular variation in the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders. Elsewhere throughout Europe, such as France and Italy, the surname may appear under the spelling Kerckehoven.
Kerkhof is often found in combination with patronymics and nicknames, such as Corneliisz Kerkhof or Pieter Kerkhof. This combination increases the range of variations, creating surnames such as Kerkhofs, Kerkhofsen, Kerkhofman, and De Kerkhof.
In other countries, such as Canada, the surname has changed further, with variants appearing as Karkhoven and Karhof. Similarly, in Suriname, it has been adapted to Kerkhove, Karkhove, and Kerkhovere.
Overall, the surname Kerkhof has undergone a variety of changes, with spellings ranging from Kerkhoven to Kerkhove. It is likely that many of the variants emerged from different regional dialects, with surnames being adapted to a local language or spelling.
Famous people with the name Kerkhof
- Dutch singer Jan Kerkhof
- Dutch actor Mark Kerkhof
- Dutch footballer Mike Kerkhof
- Dutch actor Monique Kerkhof
- Dutch musician Toon Kerkhof
- Dutch actor Dennis Kerkhof
- Dutch artist Wil Kerkhof
- German actor Mark Kerkhof
- Dutch actor and voice actor Hugo Kerkhof
- Dutch actor and writer Nightcrawler Kerkhof
- Dutch fencer Michael Kerkhof
- Dutch photographer Robbie Kerkhof
- Dutch DJ Rob Kerkhof
- Dutch music producer Sander Kerkhof
- Dutch football player Sjoerd Kerkhof
- Dutch actress and singer Simone Kerkhof
- Dutch bodybuilder Willem Kerkhof