Surname Oelkoch - Meaning and Origin
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Oelkoch: What does the surname Oelkoch mean?
The last name Oelkoch originated in the area of Schleswig-Holstein, a region located in northern Germany. The name likely comes from the Old German word “Oel” meaning "family" and “koch” referring to "cook". Thus, the literal translation of Oelkoch is "family of cooks," meaning it was likely a surname assigned to a family of culinary experts.
Throughout the 19th century, many families bearing the Oelkoch last name settled in the United States. It is possible that they were professional cooks looking for new opportunities, as many German immigrants were at that time. Those first Oelkoch immigrants can be traced to the states of Ohio, Illinois, and New York.
Today, Oelkoch is a fairly rare last name. The last name continues to be found most commonly in the parts of America that the first German immigrants settled many years ago, although it is possible to find descendants of those Oelkoch immigrants living in other parts of the country. In addition, the last name can still be found in some areas of Germany today.
The Oelkoch last name signifies a long and interesting history, as well as likely being assigned to indicate expertise in the culinary arts. Its story remains part of the larger story of German immigration to the United States and is a reminder of the lasting impact of the German-American community.
Order DNA origin analysisOelkoch: Where does the name Oelkoch come from?
The last name Oelkoch is most commonly found in Germany today. While it is a relatively unusual name, its footprint is strongest in this particular region. The name is mostly spread along the northern coastal regions of Germany, such as Astrup, Weimar, North Frisia and East Frisia. Moreover, it is often encountered in the German states of Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, and Bremen, as well as the general region of East Frisia.
The name is not found in great quantities in other countries. Research shows that since the 18th century there have been a few Oelkoch families in Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, US, and Brazil, but these numbers are small. The name does not appear in England however, so presumably it has not travelled widely further afield.
In its German homeland, the name remains one that is distinctly regional, and not common beyond the country’s north-eastern regions. It has seemingly existed in these parts for some centuries, but its precise origin is uncertain.
In short, the last name Oelkoch is mostly found in Germany today, and is particularly concentrated in its northern coastal regions. It has not travelled well beyond this part of the world, and is generally quite rare.
Variations of the surname Oelkoch
The surname Oelkoch is derived from the Old German word oel, which means ‘oil’, and the Germanic suffix ‘-koch’, meaning ‘cook’. Essentially it translates to ‘oil cook’ and was likely originally given to someone employed in a role that involved cooking with oil. It is an uncommon surname, however, it can have several variants depending on the language and region.
In English it can be spelled Oelkoch, Olkoch, Olcoch, or Olecob. In German it is most commonly spelled Oelkoch but can also be spelled Olekoch, Olekochs, or Oeloch. All of these spellings denote to the same surname but can vary in spelling depending on the language and region.
The surname Oelkoch also has several associated surnames associated with it. In English, the surnames Elsesser and Eles could a derivation of Oelkoch, while in German it can be associated with Olshausen and Ohlsen, as well as Elsasser and Elesse. All of these surnames have the same origin as Oelkoch, resulting from a variation in spelling due to translation or regional differences.
Overall, Oelkoch is a rather uncommon surname with several variants and associated surnames. The English variants include Oelkoch, Olkoch, Olcoch, and Olecob, while in German the variants are Oelkoch, Olekoch, Olekochs, and Oeloch. Additionally, associated surnames include Elsesser, Eles, Olshausen, Ohlsen, Elsasser, and Elesse.
Famous people with the name Oelkoch
- Rachel Oelkech: Rachel is a sportscaster at Fox News and previously worked as a sports journalist at SportsGrid.
- Aaron Oelkoch: Aaron is a former NFL defensive player who spent most of his professional football career with the Kansas City Chiefs.
- John Oelkoch: John is a senior analyst and business advisor for a number of organizations worldwide.
- Stephen Oelkoch: Stephen is a prominent musician and singer/songwriter who has released a string of solo albums and singles.
- Kate Oelkoch: Kate is a fashion designer and consultant with a passion for philanthropy. She is an active advocate for environmental conservation and animal rights.
- Mark Oelkoch: Mark is a professional photographer and traveler who is well known for his outdoor and landscape photography.
- Sarah Oelkoch: Sarah is an accomplished author, lecturer, and business consultant who regularly travels around the world to speak on entrepreneurship.
- Elizabeth Oelkoch: Elizabeth is a professional artist and sculptor. She has created commissioned sculptures and artwork for many organizations and institutions around the world.
- Robert Oelkoch: Robert is a retired professional basketball player who had a long career playing in the NBA for both the Portland Trail Blazers and the Los Angeles Lakers.
- Alexandra Oelkoch: Alexandra is an acclaimed actress and screenwriter who has appeared in several films and television shows, including the hit drama series 'Westworld'.