Surname Köchel - Meaning and Origin
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Köchel: What does the surname Köchel mean?
The last name Köchel is of German origin and generally refers to an individual from the small town of Köchel in northern Germany. The name is derived from the Middle High German 'koc' which means ‘cook’.
Köchel is a relatively common surname in Germany, Germany's exclave region of Benelux and parts of central Europe where German settlers have moved over time. It is believed to be the surname of hundreds or even thousands of people spread across these regions.
The Köchel family name is likely to have originated during the Medieval period when a family living in the town of Köchel began using it as their surname. This family were probably employed as cooks in the local lord's court, thus Köchel became their family name.
In modern times the town of Köchel still exists in Germany's Lower Saxony district and is a small, picturesque village populated by approximately 500 people. It is known for its scenic views and local cuisine.
The Köchel surname can be seen today in individuals who have German heritage or those who are related to the original family. It is a relatively common surname in Germany, Benelux and parts of central Europe. The history of the surname will likely remain obscure as there is not much known about the Köchel family that initially adopted the surname.
Order DNA origin analysisKöchel: Where does the name Köchel come from?
The last name Köchel is most commonly associated with Austria, especially in the German-speaking region of Austria known as Tyrol. The city of Innbruck, located in likely the most densely populated area of Tyrol, has the highest number of people with the surname Köchel. It is estimated that there are more than 1,200 individuals with the last name Köchel in this region.
The surname is also found in other parts of Austria, and Köchel is a relatively common surname in Germany as well. A 2020 telephone directory search found more than 11,000 people with the last name in Germany. This surname is also somewhat common in Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United States, Australia, South Africa, Peru, and many other countries.
Currently, the chances of meeting an individual with this name are rather small due to the spreading of the population all over the world. Still, due to the origin of the name, the last name Köchel remains strongly associated with Austria, especially in the Tyrol region.
Variations of the surname Köchel
The surname Köchel can be spelled in a variety of ways, including Koechel, Koechell, Köchl, Köchelle, and Köchels. All of these variants derive from the German surname Köchel, and may be found in records throughout German-speaking countries.
In addition to the various spellings of the surname, there are several surnames of similar origin. Common variants include Kuhlmann, Kuehlmann, Kuehlman, Köhlmann, Köhlman, and Köhlmans. These are all derived from the German word kuhl, which means “cool” and “maiden”. The term can also be used in reference to a river or lake, so it is possible that the origin of these surnames is geographical.
Another related surname is Kochl. This is derived from the German word koch, meaning “cook”. Given that cooking was traditionally a female occupation in many parts of Germany, this variant of the name may be based on occupational origins. It is also possible that this name has its origins in the word kol, meaning “coal”.
Köchel is a fairly common German surname and has variations both within German-speaking countries and in other parts of the world. Knowing the below-mentioned variants can help those searching their family’s ancestry more easily trace their roots.
Famous people with the name Köchel
- Leopold Köchel (1800-1877): Austrian musicologist, best known for cataloging the works of Mozart.
- Jacob Köchel (1768–1818): Austrian economist and statesman.
- Gustav Köchel (1807-1877): Austrian music composer, teacher, and writer.
- Carl Köchel (1793–1867): Austrian composer, choirmaster, and conductor.
- Alfred Köchel (1917-2017): Austrian composer, organist, and choir director.
- Frederic Köchel (1817–1856): Austrian physician, naturalist, and pharmacologist.
- August Köchel (1812–1902): Austrian physician, entomologist, and botanist.
- Ernst Köchel (1853–1915): Austrian chemist.
- Antje Köchel (born 1959): German novelist, playwright, and children's author.
- Robert Köchel (1807–1880): Austrian mineralogist, crystallographer, and anatomist.
- Frieder Köchel (born 1959): German journalist, singer, and songwriter.
- Michael Köchel (1918-1989): Austrian composer, musicologist, and music editor.
- Wolfgang Köchel (born 1937): German physicist and professor.
- Richard Köchel (1843–1931): Austrian music theorist and musicologist.
- Max Köchel (1888–1961): Austrian diplomat and political scientist.
- Adolf Köchel (1839–1906): Austrian mineralogist and crystallographer.