Surname Locher - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling European Ancestry: iGENEA DNA Test Reveals Locher Surname's Journey Through History

Notably, my iGENEA DNA test results have brought forth fascinating evidence about my family history, particularly tracing the Locher surname to Central Europe. With connections found to prominent European haplogroups, the result paints a picture of a lineage that has experienced significant historical events including post-Ice Age repopulation and the Copper Age's technological advancements.

E. Locher

Locher: What does the surname Locher mean?

The last name Locher is of German origin, derived from the word locher, meaning "lock maker." The name could have been given to an individual who was a specialist in making locks or another related trade. It could also have been given to someone who lived near a lock or fortress, such as a castle. The name Locher is common across Europe, with families bearing the name found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, and other countries in the region.

As one of the oldest family names in Germany, the Locher surname likely dates back to the late 13th century. Many famous people bear the Locher name, such as German actor and director Leonhard Locher, Belgian cyclist Francis Locher, and German historian Gottfried Locher. In the United States, the Locher family first settled in Pennsylvania in the 18th century.

The Locher family can be found around the world today, and there is evidence that many have kept the same family name for centuries. What exactly the Locher family did or where they are originally from is not always known, as records from such a long time ago can be almost impossible to find. However, it is remarkable that this family has kept their name for so many generations, and all those who bear the name of Locher are justly proud of their heritage.

Locher: Where does the name Locher come from?

The last name Locher is most common in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland today. In Germany, Locher is the 897th most common name, and the frequency of the name was highest in the eastern part of the country. In Austria, Locher is the 303rd most common name; more than four times as many people with the name live there as in Germany. Switzerland sees the highest concentration of Lochers, with over twice as many people with the last name than in Austria.

In the United States, the last name is much rarer but still exists. In recent decades, the number of Lochers has steadily increased, particularly in areas of high German immigration such as the Midwest. The highest concentration of Lochers in the United States is in the state of Florida. California, Texas, Illinois, and New York also have significant populations of Lochers today.

In addition to Europe and the United States, Locher can also be found in Canada, Australia, and South America. While slightly less common in these areas, the last name can still be found in various levels of concentration.

Overall, Locher can be found all over the world, but it remains most common in its countries of origin, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Variations of the surname Locher

The Locher surname has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants are Locker, Lockar, Locke, and Lokker. Other variants of the surname include Lockard, Lockhart, Lochard, Lockner, Lochner, and Langlocker.

The spellings vary slightly between the variants, with some featuring double consonants such as ‘ck’ or ‘kk’ while others featuring a ‘ch.’ All spellings are derived from the Germanic root ‘lokker’ which means locksmith. Originating in Germany during the Middle Ages, it became common throughout Europe and eventually to the Americas.

There are also several surnames of the same origin, including Luchinger, Lueger, Löschner, and Lecher. All of these surnames share the same root word ‘lokker’ and are derived from the same profession.

While variations of the surname may exist throughout Europe, the most common versions of this lineage are found in Germany, Switzerland, and the United States. Indeed, the Locher surname is one of the most common in both Germany and the US, with many people bearing the last name or a variant.

Ultimately, the Locher surname has a variety of spelling and surnames of the same origin. There are plenty of variations and derivations of the surname, making it one of the more common and widespread in Western Europe and the Americas.

Famous people with the name Locher

• George Locher: George Locher was an American figure skater who competed during the 1930s. He won a gold medal at the 1932 World Figure Skating Championships and competed at the 1936 Olympics.
• Philip Locher: Philip Locher was an American classical composer, arranger, teacher, and conductor. He served as a teacher for numerous composers, arranger and violinists over the course of his career.
• Ben Locher: Ben Locher is an American television writer from Chicago, Illinois. He is known primarily for his work in the sitcoms That '70s Show and Reba.
• Charles Locher: Charles Locher was an American photographer and photojournalist. He published under the pen name Esther Bubley, and was one of the leading female documentarians of the 20th century.
• Peter Locher: Peter Locher is an internationally renowned contemporary German artist whose works are engagements with various topics and themes of the modern metropolitan life.
• Will Locher: Will Locher is an American actor and voice actor who is best known for his role as Kip Deeley on the drama series House of Cards.
• Arthur Locher: Arthur Locher was an American soldier and Medal of Honor recipient. He was awarded the medal for his heroism in World War II while serving in the 104th Infantry Regiment in France.
• Mark Locher: Mark Locher is an American film editor, primarily known for his work on the films The Green Mile, The Living Daylights, and The Reds.
• Jack Locher: Jack Locher was an American politician and a Republican member of the Maine Senate.
• Leo Locher: Leo Locher was an American racecar driver active in the AAA competition series during the early 20th century. He competed in the 1922 Indianapolis 500, finishing in seventh place.

Other surnames

LöchelLocherer