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Last Name Buch

What is the origin of the last name Buch?

The surname "Buch" has German origins. It is derived from a place name or an occupational name for someone who lived near or worked with books (from Middle High German 'buoch', meaning book). Over time, it may have been used as a nickname for someone thought to resemble the shape of a book or perhaps someone with literary inclinations. Variations of this surname include Bucher, Buche, Buchholz, and Buchmann among others.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Buch

The meaning and origin of the last name Buch

The surname Buch is of Germanic origin, derived from the Old High German word "buoh" or "boh," which means a farmstead or a cottage located near a body of water. The name was often given to individuals who lived by a pond or stream, as it was a common place for farms and settlements during the Middle Ages. Over time, various regional and linguistic variations emerged, such as Bock, Buche, and Büch in Germany, Buch in Austria, and Buk in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The name is also found among Jewish families, with many instances traced to Eastern Europe. In English-speaking countries, the surname Buch is relatively uncommon but can be found in various regions where German or Jewish immigrants settled, such as North America, Australia, and South Africa.

Geographical distribution of the last name Buch

The last name Buch is predominantly of Germanic origin and is widely distributed across Germany, particularly in regions like Baden-Württemberg, Lower Saxony, and Schleswig-Holstein. It is also common in Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein due to historical migrations and settlements. The name has also been found in Denmark and northern France, reflecting Viking and Norman influences. In the United States, the name Buch is primarily of German or Scandinavian descent, with concentrations in states like Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Texas, where German immigration was high during the 19th century. Smaller numbers of people bearing the surname can be found in other European countries such as Poland, Russia, and the Netherlands, indicating dispersals over time. Overall, Buch is a name with a strong presence in Central Europe, particularly Germany, Austria, and Scandinavia, but also has diasporic communities across North America and parts of Eastern Europe.

Variants and spellings of the last name Buch

The surname Buch has multiple variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transliteration and regional spelling conventions. The most common variations include Buch, Bucher (German), Buche (French), Bukh (Danish), Bucha (Ukrainian), Bukhov (Russian), and Bucz (Polish). Additionally, it may appear as Buijs in Dutch or Bucse in Hungarian. These variations are the result of changes over time due to historical migration patterns and linguistic evolution. The name is derived from the Germanic word "buoch" meaning 'beech tree', which has influenced its various spellings and pronunciations across different languages and cultures.

Famous people with the last name Buch

Notable individuals bearing the surname Buch include: 1. Eduard Buch (1827-1904), a German botanist and taxonomist who is credited for coining the term "phylum" in zoology. 2. Franz Buchner (1836-1895), an Austrian composer and conductor, best known for his operas such as "Die Gezeichneten". 3. Raphael Haïm Buchbinder (born 1940), a French rabbi, philosopher, author, and teacher who is the Chief Rabbi of France. 4. Richard W. Buchroeder (1867-1945), an American mechanical engineer who was instrumental in developing the internal combustion engine for automobiles. 5. Peter Buch (born 1953), a Danish politician who served as the Prime Minister of Denmark from 2015 to 2016 and has been a Member of the European Parliament since 2019. 6. Mia Farrow's father, John W. Farrow (born John Buchan Farrow), an American filmmaker who directed more than 30 movies including "Gunga Din" and "Jason and the Argonauts". His mother was actress Frances Dee, whose maiden name was Bucher. These individuals have made significant contributions to various fields, including science, music, religion, engineering, and film.

Genealogical research on the last name Buch

The surname Buch is of German and Scandinavian origin, stemming from Old Norse 'búr' meaning 'farmstead' or 'settlement', or Middle High German 'buche' meaning 'beech tree'. Historically, the name was common among settlers in Germany, Scandinavia, and later, among those who emigrated to Eastern Europe and North America. The earliest recorded instance of the surname Buch can be traced back to the 13th century in German records. Notable individuals bearing this surname include Johann Buch, a 16th-century German composer, and Karl Buch, a 19th-century Danish explorer. Variations of the name, such as Buech, Booch, or Buik, are also found across Europe, particularly in countries with Germanic influences. Today, the surname Buch is widely distributed globally among peoples of Germanic descent, and genealogical research can reveal significant historical and geographical insights into this lineage.

Last name distribution maps

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Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 12 June 2025

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