Surname Zoch - Meaning and Origin

Zoch: What does the surname Zoch mean?

The last name Zoch is believed to be of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word 'zoc', meaning 'joy'. It is believed that originally it was used as either an occupational surname for someone who was a dancer or a conductor of musicians, or it may have been simply bestowed by a parent on a son born during a happy occasion or at a time of celebration.

Throughout the ages, the last name Zoch has been spelled in many different ways, with popular variations including Zocht, Zochte, Zoct, Zoeh and Zoeche.

Although it is believed to be of German origin, the last name Zoch is quite rare in modern Germany and is more commonly found in other parts of Europe, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Scandinavia. Some of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced in 13th century Germany, where one Johannes Zoch is recorded as a witness in the town of Weisenau in 1201.

Today, the last name Zoch is still present in many parts of Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, where it is considered to be one of the most common surnames. It is also found in other countries such as the United States, Canada and Brazil, although its spelling is often adjusted to account for pronunciation.

Zoch: Where does the name Zoch come from?

The last name Zoch is most concentrated in Germany today, according to World Names Profiler. It is common in the West and Central regions of the country, particularly in Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, Bavaria, and Baden-Württemberg. It is also common in other parts of Europe, such as the Czech Republic, Poland, Austria, and Switzerland.

Outside of Europe, it is mainly found in the United States, Canada, and Brazil. In the United States, Zoch is not particularly common in any one state or region and appears to be fairly evenly spread out across the country. Some of the states with the most Zoch families are Texas, California, New York, Illinois, and Wisconsin. In Canada, Zoch is mainly clustered in the province of Alberta. In Brazil, the name is found mainly in the states of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, and São Paulo.

Overall, Zoch is not a particularly common surname and does not appear to have a particularly strong presence in any one area. However, its concentrations in Germany, the United States, Canada, Brazil, and other parts of Europe suggest that those countries have seen some Zoch families come to settle and call those areas home.

Variations of the surname Zoch

The surname Zoch is believed to have multiple variants and spellings, including: Zock, Zoecke, Zoeche, Zöche, Zoechel, Zoechels, Zoecher, Zoegel, Zoegen, and Zogel.

Some of the variants also have a variety of surnames of the same origin, such as: Zoche, Zochs, Zocher, Zochert, Zochermann, Zacher, Zacherle, Zacharias, and Zachary.

Zoch is a Germanic surname derived from Middle High German and Old High German words which mean “harm” or “guilt”. It was originally used to denote someone who had offended others or was of ill repute.

Certain variants of the Zoch surname, such as the Zochs, are rooted in the Bavaria region of Germany. The name usually refers to individuals who had a family linkage with Baveria and other regions like Thuringia and Saxony.

Other variants of the surname are prominent in Czech Republic where they appeared to be present since the early 19th century, while others migrated to Switzerland and Austria in the same period.

In some cases, the individuals who migrated from Germany to other parts of Europe dropped the Zoch element in their surnames, but adopted some of the variants, such as Zoeche, Zocher, and Pilger.

Generally, the surnames that carry the same origin as Zoch have a strong traditional connection with Germany and central Europe, and can be found in the region today as well as in countries that have received immigration from these locations.

Famous people with the name Zoch

• Wilfried Zoch, German figure skating coach
• Payton Zoch, American professional soccer player
• David G. Zoch, American actor and screenwriter
• Gerhard Zoch, German composer
• Markus Zoch, German-born Swiss photographer
• Sabrina Zoch, former German biathlete
• Alfred Zoch, German zoologist
• Werner Zoch, German footballer
• Dieter Zoch, former German footballer
• Jürgen Zoch, German jazz musician

Other surnames

Zockoll