Surname Unhoch - Meaning and Origin
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Unhoch: What does the surname Unhoch mean?
The last name Unhoch is an uncommon German surname of patriarchal ancestry that originated in the Middle Ages. It was derived from the early German word "hoch", meaning high, noble, or respected.
The name is believed to have first originated among the noble families of ancient Germany and Austria. By the early 1700s, families bearing this name were living in many villages throughout central Europe and in some parts of the United States.
The variant spelling “Unhoch” was popularized in Germany in the 1830s, as many of the original families anglicized their name in order to fit into the changing language environment of the times.
Today, the Unhoch surname is most common in Germany and Austria, although there are many other countries where it is found. One of the most famous people to bear the Unhoch surname is Pope John Paul II, whose birth name was Karol Józef Wojtyła. The name Unhoch was also borne by the author of the Grimm's Fairy Tales, Jacob Ludwig Carl Grimm.
The meaning of the Unhoch surname is associated with tales of nobility in Germany, Austria, and other countries around the world. This surname is a reminder of the ancient German roots and also symbolizes the resilience of individuals who have faced the changing social environment over the years. It is a strong symbol of hard work, ambition and perseverance.
Order DNA origin analysisUnhoch: Where does the name Unhoch come from?
The Unhoch surname is most commonly found in Germany. Specifically, the Unhoch family has a large presence in Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg. Additionally, the surname is also quite common throughout Austria. This is likely due to the migration of the German-speaking population from Austria to Germany over the past several centuries.
The Unhoch surname is rarely found in other countries. However, individuals bearing the surname may be found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and some places in Europe such as England, Scotland, and France. In the US, the surname is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, Texas, and Ohio. If you’re looking to find an Unhoch in the US, your best bet is to look inTexas, as it has more Unhoch families than any other US state.
The Unhoch name is very old by European standards; it was first recorded in 1120, in a small region near Stuttgart, Germany. Its origin is derived from the Old High German word "unhoh" which was used to describe “swampy land.” It is likely that the Unhochs were a family of landowners living on an early marshy estate.
Overall, the Unhoch surname is most commonly found in German-speaking countries. It is also found in the United States and other places throughout the world, though not as frequently as in Germany.
Variations of the surname Unhoch
The surname Unhoch comes from the German language and can be spelled in several different ways. The most common variant spellings are Unhoch, Unhoeck, Unhöck, Unhök, and Unhöckle. All of these spellings have the same origin and refer to the same surname.
Variants and similar surnames of Unhoch may also be seen in other parts of Europe including Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, and parts of the Czech Republic.
In Austria, the variant of Unhoch is most likely to be Unhockel or Unhoeckel, while the Swiss version is Unhöckli. In Slovenia, it is known as Unhok, while the Czech Republic variant is Unhokel.
One possible origin of the Unhoch surname is from the Middle High German phrase un-hoech, which means “not high” or “low.” This phrase is likely to refer to a lower position in society.
Other possible origins of the Unhoch surname could come from the German expression un-hochz, which could roughly translate to “not deserving of honor.” This expression might have referred to people who were considered to be lower in society.
The Unhoch surname is also a prename, indicating a place of origin, such as a village or settlement in a specific area.
Given that the Unhoch surname is a relatively uncommon one, it is possible that the surname has changed over time. Some variants of Unhoch could have become more popular than others. For example, Unhoeck could have been changed to Unhoch or vice versa.
Overall, the Unhoch surname has been around for quite some time and can be spelled with various variants. The origins of the Unhoch surname are believed to be related to a lower position in society or perhaps even a place of origin.
Famous people with the name Unhoch
- Jay Unhoch: An American voice actor and filmmaker, best known for his work on “Adventure Time”, “The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack” and the “Regular Show”.
- Matt Unhoch: Professional hockey player, who was a member of the Detroit Red Wings during the 2019-2020 season.
- David Unhoch: An American cabaret artist, singer/songwriter, and standup comedian, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- Wolfgang Unhoch: German mathematician and professor emeritus at the University of Augsburg.
- Melinda Unhoch: Senior lead content creator and digital associate at Truth Initiative, a nonprofit organization that works to reduce tobacco use in the US.
- Kris Unhoch: An American football coach, who is currently the head coach of the Saints.
- Frank Unhoch: A German-born actor who moved to the US and starred in films such as Duck Soup, Red Beard, and The Good German.
- Andre Unhoch: Professional MMA fighter from Salt Lake City, Utah.
- Nancy Unhoch: American stage, film and television actress, best known for her role in the TV show “Newhart”.
- Kim Unhoch: A Canadian figure skater, who has won several prestigious competitions at the national and international levels.