Surname Bock - Meaning and Origin
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'Unraveling the Bock Legacy: A DNA Analysis with iGENEA'
I recently had my DNA analyzed through iGENEA, and the immense depths of knowledge it uncovered about my family name 'Bock' was incredibly enlightening. The experience revealed the rich history of the Bocks, their migrations, societal contributions, and their significant interactions with history along the way.
O. Bock
read moreBock: What does the surname Bock mean?
The last name Bock is of Germanic origin and refers to a goat, or a person who kept goats. It is a topographical name for someone living near a hill or mountain where goats were kept. The first recorded spelling of the name was in 1141, when the name was spelled Boc. Variations of the name include Boche, Boeck, Bock, Bok, and Bocks.
The origin of the name Bock likely comes from Old German, referring to a species of wild goat or to a hill or village where they were kept. The German verb böcke, meaning “to be curvy”, may also have been used to describe a person’s physique or how they were perceived by others. Those with the surname Bock were often given nicknames which related to the origin of the name, such as Ziegenböck (goat) and Kitzböcke (kids).
The name Bock is quite widespread throughout Europe, most prominently in Germany and Austria. It may also be found in other countries, such as the United States and Canada, due to immigration.
Today, those with the surname Bock may use it with pride, knowing that its origins represent either a species of wild goat or someone who kept goats. It is also a reminder of the many hardworking families who have maintained this name through the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisBock: Where does the name Bock come from?
The last name Bock is an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German word 'boc' which means 'goat' and was given to someone who was a goat herder or breeder. It is an especially common name in Germany, where it occurs roughly every 825th person. It is also found in Austria, Switzerland, and the United States.
In the US, the highest concentration of Bock is found in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, as well as in eight other states. The 2000 US Census revealed that over 11,500 individuals claimed the last name Bock. It is most common in the Southwestern states, as the highest concentration, excluding Pennsylvania, is in Texas.
Western Europe also contains a considerable number of people with the Bock surname. Poland is the country with the highest concentration in Europe, followed by Luxembourg and Germany. The surname Bock is of a fairly even distribution across Germany, but is more concentrated in the western part of the country. In particular, it is more common in North Rhine-Westphalia, where it is found roughly every 1253rd person.
The name Bock is also found in other parts of the world, including Canada, Australia, South Africa, and Mexico. In some cases, it can also be derived from the Gaelic word 'boc' which means 'bucket' and refers to a metal worker. You can also find the surname Bock in Sweden, where it is believed to be derived from a personal name, Bo.
Variations of the surname Bock
The surname Bock can be spelled in different ways including Bocke, Bake, Booke or Böck. These derivations all have the same origin which is the Germanic root "bok", meaning beech tree. This was often used as a symbol of strength and durability, deriving from the centuries-old use of beechwood to make tools, furniture and building materials.
At the time of the Middle Ages, the surname Bock could have referred to someone who lived near beech trees, such as a guard at a forest of beech trees. Alternatively, it may have been an occupational surname for a person who made items from beechwood.
The surname became widespread during the migration of Germanic peoples into Eastern Europe in the 1700s. Due to the out-migration from Germany, Bock can be found in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia. It is also common in Sweden, Norway, Austria and Switzerland.
Variants of the surname include Book and Bok, the former referring to a maker of books, while Bok is a variation of the original Germanic Bock. Other less common spellings include Bocks, Bockes, Boecks, Boocks, and Boos.
The surname has given rise to the surnames Böckmann, Böckers, Böckert, Böckling, Bockmann, Bockmos and Bockstette, all of which point to the same Germanic root.
Famous people with the name Bock
- Diana Bock: former German professional tennis player and current President of the German Tennis Federation
- Jerry Bock: American composer of musical theatre and film best known for his collaborations with lyricist Sheldon Harnick
- Niko Bock: French professional basketball player
- Wolfgang Bock: Bavarian jurist, professor at the Technical University of Munich, and judge of the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany
- John Bock: German artist
- Harry Bock: American Major League Baseball player
- Christian Bock: Swiss professional footballer
- Ludwig Bock: German medical doctor and laryngologist
- Robert Bock: German music theorist
- Rene Bock-Rommel: German colonel general and Chief of Staff of the Bundeswehr
- Erich Bock: German World War II flying ace
- Mathias Bock: German Deutsche Bahn executive
- Beat Bock: Swiss painter
- Righteous Brothers member Bill Medley’s real surname is Bock
- Casey Bock: American professionalzzo golfer
- Emilia Bock: Estonian doctor and politician
- Hans Bock: Swiss handball player
- Andrea Bock: German fashion designer
- Philipp Bock: German Football manager
- Wallace Bock: American tennis player and coach