Surname Köchli - Meaning and Origin

An Emotional Odyssey with iGENEA: A Deeper Connection to the Surname Köchli

Embarking on a journey of self-discovery through iGENEA DNA test, I found a deeper connection to my family history and the surname Köchli. It was a profoundly moving experience filled with unexpected revelations and heightened empathy for my ancestors.

R. Köchli

Köchli: What does the surname Köchli mean?

The surname Köchli is of German and Swiss origin. It is a topographical name derived from the German word “Köchle,” which means “cottage” or “dwelling.” This surname likely referred to a person who lived in a small cottage or dwelling. The spelling of the name varies; in Switzerland, the spelling is frequently "Köchli," while in Germany, the spelling is "Köchel" or "Köchelle."

The surname has spread throughout Europe over the centuries, particularly to Switzerland. In Switzerland, it is especially popular in the canton of Bern, where the earliest known bearers of the surname lived.

Today, there are hundreds of people who have the last name Köchli. The name Köchli could also be an anglicized form of other German or Swiss surnames, such as Koch, Kocher, Kofler, or Kochmann. It may be derived from the Middle High German word “Koch,” which means “cook.”

Köchli is a common surname, and it continues to be carried by people in many different countries. It stands as a reminder of the long history of migration and movement that has shaped the history of our world.

Köchli: Where does the name Köchli come from?

The surname Köchli is associated today with the German-speaking parts of Europe, particularly Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is most common today in Germany and Switzerland.

In the year 2000, there were 585 people registered in the Swiss phone book with the surname Köchli, the majority of whom were living in Switzerland's German-speaking cantons of Basel-Landschaft and Aargau. In Germany, the name was most prevalent in Bavaria, with 660 people registered in the 2000 telephone directory.

The word Köchli is derived from the Germanic root koch, meaning "cook." It was originally an occupational name for someone who worked in the kitchens of noble families or as an innkeeper.

The family name Köchli is also found in small numbers across the United States, Canada, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. This is likely due to immigrants from the affected regions who also established their roots abroad.

Many Köchlis have had notable gains in their respective nations. In Switzerland, Verena Köchli was chairman of the Health Council from 2003 to 2017 and Georg Köchli was Mayor of Basel for 14 years. In Germany, Rudolf Köchli is a noted industrialist and Major Josef Köchli was a World War II historical figure whose plane went down in Russia.

Overall, the Köchli family has carved a reputation for excellence with notable members of many generations. Tasks such as cooking, governance, industry, and military action have been skillfully performed by Köchlis throughout Europe, and their legacy still stands strong today.

Variations of the surname Köchli

The surname Köchli is a German name originating from the word ‘Köch’ which means 'cook'. Its spelling may also be written as Koechli or Kochli. Variants of this name may include Köchel, Köchlin, Kochel, Kochlin and Kochling.

Köchli may also be rendered as Kochle, Kochlee, Koechle, Koechlee, Köchelle, Kochlen, Koechlen, Köcheln, Kechel, Kechell, Kekhel, Koechell, Koekell, Kuechel, Kuechell and Kuehel.

In the United States, the surname Köchli is often written as Koch or Coke as these are the Americanized versions of the name. Some of the variants of the surname Köchli that are commonly seen in the United States are Cochell, Cockle, Cokle, Coochle, Cochlin, Cokell, Kochell, Kockle, Kocklin, Koochle, Kochels, Koechling, Kokling and Kochles.

The surnames Kechel, Kechell, Kekhel, Koechell, Koekell, Kuechel, Kuechell and Kuehel are derived from the Old High German spelling of the same name, while Köchel, Köchlin, Kochlin, Kochel and Kochling are derived from the Middle High German spelling of the name.

In France and other parts of Europe, the name is often spelled as Cochel, Cocli, Koché and Koche. In England, the name may be rendered as Cousleigh, Coosley, Cowsley, Cowsly, Kaushly, Kausly, Kechely and Kusley.

In some parts of Scandinavia, the name is spelled as Kokela, Kokelea and Kokella. In Italy and Spain, the surname is spelled as Cocchi, Coche, Cochelli, Cochetti, Kochi and Kochy. There are also Jewish variants of the surname Köchli including Kaushal, Kauls and Koushal.

Famous people with the name Köchli

• Sepp Köchli: Sepp Köchli is a Swiss singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland. He was a founder-member of the internationally successful Aldi band and a longtime solo artist.
• Corina Köchli: Corina Köchli is a Swiss figure skater. She won the Swiss Figure Skating Championships in 2019, and has been a member of the Swiss National Team and the Swiss Figure Skating Association.
• Heinz Köchli: Heinz Köchli was a Swiss motorcycle racer. He competed in the 250cc Road Racing World Championships, winning the Swiss 250cc championship in 1959 and 1960, and the German 250cc championship in the same years.
• Urs Hofmann Köchli: Urs Hofmann Köchli is a Swiss music producer, composer and arranger. He has worked with a variety of bands, including the Swiss folk/rock band Ganzheit, and he has written and produced for a number of popular Swiss artists.
• Hans Köchli: Hans Köchli is a Swiss ski mountaineer and cross-country skier. He has been an active competitor for a number of years, and he has won several Swiss championships in both disciplines.
• Karl Köchli: Karl Köchli is a Swiss entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the founder of the Köchli Family Foundation, which provides humanitarian aid, educational assistance, and environmental protection projects throughout Switzerland.
• Rosmarie Köchli: Rosmarie Köchli is a Swiss author and poet. She was a founding member of the Platform for Emerging Poets, and is best known for her work on the themes of freedom, faith, and femininity.
• Fredy Köchli: Fredy Köchli is a Swiss mathematician and professor at the University of Zurich. He is also the president of the Swiss Mathematical Society, and has authored a number of books on algebraic number theory and algebraic geometry.
• Michael Köchli: Michael Köchli is a Swiss actor and voice actor. He has worked in many different genres, including German and English dubbing of a variety of cartoon and anime series and films.

Other surnames

KöchlKöchleKochleusKöchlin