Surname Kochendorf - Meaning and Origin
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Kochendorf: What does the surname Kochendorf mean?
The last name Kochendorf is a German surname of locational origin. Its meaning is derived from the Middle High German “Koch” meaning “cook” or “kitchen” and “dorf” meaning “hamlet” or “village”. Thus, the name “Kochendorf” translates to “Kitchen village”, indicating people who likely resided or originated in a small village built around a kitchen or cook’s house. It likely also indicates that those with the name once held a position of importance in the village, such as a cook or kitchen servant.
The name is relatively rare, as indicated by a search on Ancestry.com, and is most common in the German-speaking regions of Central Europe, where it likely originated. The first instance of record of the Kochendorf name was the birth of Leonard Kochendorf in 1709, in Germany. Other notable bearers of the Kochendorf name are Dr.Ludwig Kochendorf, founder of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, and Adolf Kochendorf, the Nazi aviation minister during World War Two.
As with many surnames, the meaning and origin of the Kochendorf name has likely been lost to time, but its indication of a small village or hamlet provides an interesting and unique insight into the British history of the surname’s original bearers. Today, the Kochendorf name still represents a small but important and unique part of German, and more broadly, world culture.
Order DNA origin analysisKochendorf: Where does the name Kochendorf come from?
The last name Kochendorf is most commonly found in Switzerland, where it originated. Family names can make a rich contribution to local history as they often reveal their origin, language, and regional customs of their area.
The earliest evidence of this last name is dated to 1563 in Bodo, canton of Glarus, Switzerland. The origin of Kochendorf is believed to be derived from the name of the village of Kochendorf in Glarus which is first mentioned in 1290. It is thought that the family adopted the name when they moved from the village of Bodo to Kochendorf.
Today, Kochendorf is a popular last name in Switzerland. According to the Swiss Phone Book, Kochendorf is widely spread throughout the country with the majority of entries found near the cantons of Glarus, Zurich and Aargau, with a few in Thurgau and St. Gallen. In the US, the 2009 Name Distribution Data from the Census Bureau showed only a few occurrences of Kochendorf, mainly concentrated in California, Pennsylvania and Iowa.
The Kochendorf name is closely associated with the small, quaint village of Glarus. This village and the surrounding area has kept the name Kochendorf alive over centuries and made it one of the most recognizable Swiss surnames.
Variations of the surname Kochendorf
Kochendorf is an uncommon, German-language surname with several variants, spellings, and surnames derived from it.
The most common spelling of this surname is Kochendörfer, while the originally-spelled surname is Kochendörffer. Other variants include Köchendörfer, Köchendorfer, Köchendörffer, Köchendorffer, Köchendorff, and Köchendorf.
Surnames with similar origins include Kittendorf, Kettendorf, Kiddle, Kettinger, Kieferndorfer, Kieferdorfer, Kiefernderfer, Kiefferndorfer, Kiefferdorfer, and Kiefferdorff. Some of these surnames have derived from the German word for "kettlemaker," while other variations evolved from the German elements of "kettle" and "village."
Common variants existing in the United States are Kochendorfer, Kettendorf, and Kettendorfer, which are found most frequently in Pennsylvania and Delaware. In France, Kochendorf and Kettinger are two of the most common variants, while in Austria, the two most commonly seen variants are Küchendörfer and Küchendorfer.
In the United Kingdom, Kittle and Kittley are two popular variations. Further variants originating from this surname, such as Kitendorf, Kittensdorfer, Kittrodt, Kihlen, and Kitendride, can be found in Germany.
Overall, the variants, spellings, and surnames derived from Kochendorf tend to be uncommon amongst many different regions in the world, while the original spelling and spellings of Kochendörffer, Köchendörfer, Köchendorfer, Köchendörffer, Köchendorffer, Köchendorff, and Köchendorf can be found to an extent in Germany.
Famous people with the name Kochendorf
- Marike Kochendorf: Marike Kochendorf is a Dutch classical singer and choir director. She is the founder of the Edith Stein Chamber Choir, has served as director of Ave Virgo and Joglaresa, and was director of the Nederlands Kamerkoor from 2010-2014.
- Axel Kochendorf: Axel Kochendorf is a German photographer and multimedia artist. His photography often focuses on the portrayal of people in their environment, with a strong focus on architecture and landscapes.
- Michael Kochendorf: Michael Kochendorf was a German journalist and author. He was best known for his pioneering work in economic journalism, particularly on the topic of fiscal policy.
- Reinhard Kochendorf: Reinhard Kochendorf was a German cinematographer. He was known for his work in various films, television series and documentaries, including the Indian featurefilm 'Dil Se', the German television series 'Hinter Gittern' and the Finnish featurefilm 'Kaiken Se Kestää'.
- Thomas Kochendorf: Thomas Kochendorf is a German actor. He has appeared in such films as Goodbye, Lenin!, Not All Were Murderers, Die Welle and The Experiment.
- Ruth Kochendorf: Ruth Kochendorf is a German-born academic and author. She is best known for her work on corporate governance, ethical investment and corporate social responsibility. In 2013, she was recognized by BusinessEthics.net as one of the top 10 global corporate ethics experts.
- Klaus Kochendorf: Klaus Kochendorf is a German bass-baritone opera singer. He has appeared in numerous operas over the years, including Wagner's 'Ring' cycle and works by Verdi, Strauss and Mozart.
- Andreas Kochendorf: Andreas Kochendorf is a German lawyer and politician. He is a member of the Christian Democratic Union and has served as Secretary of State in the Ministry of Interior since 2013.
- Bernd Kochendorf: Bernd Kochendorf is a German writer and journalist. He is best known for his work exploring the history, culture and everyday life of his home country and the wider region of Central and Eastern Europe.