Koch

Occupational

Meaning

A person who cooks or works as a professional chef.

Etymology

Derived from the Middle High German 'koch,' meaning cook. The term comes from the Old High German 'choh,' indicating someone who prepared food professionally.

About the Koch Surname

Koch is an occupational surname indicating a professional cook or chef. The name was common in medieval towns and noble households where skilled cooks were valued members of the staff.

Distribution & Frequency

Estimated 420,000 bearers in the United States #184 most common surname
Rare Common

Found throughout German-speaking regions, with concentrations in urban areas and places with significant noble households.

Koch Surname Distribution

Geographic distribution based on Civil War military records.

Fewer
More

People with the Koch Surname