UK surname
An occupational surname derived from the German word "kelch" or "kelcher," meaning a cup-maker or chalice-maker.
In the 1881 census there were 74 people recorded with the Kelcher surname, ranking it #23,062 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 51, ranked #34,838, down from #23,062 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Halifax, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kelcher is 130 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 31.1%.
1881 census count
74
Ranked #23,062
Modern count
51
2016, ranked #34,838
Peak year
1901
130 bearers
Map years
4
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Kelcher surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Kelcher surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 73 | #20,581 |
| 1861 | historical | 112 | #19,279 |
| 1881 | historical | 74 | #23,062 |
| 1891 | historical | 121 | #21,169 |
| 1901 | historical | 130 | #19,649 |
| 1911 | historical | 119 | #20,535 |
| 1997 | modern | 52 | #32,444 |
| 1998 | modern | 53 | #32,633 |
| 1999 | modern | 63 | #31,798 |
| 2000 | modern | 56 | #32,514 |
| 2001 | modern | 57 | #32,275 |
| 2002 | modern | 61 | #32,286 |
| 2003 | modern | 59 | #32,530 |
| 2004 | modern | 51 | #33,478 |
| 2005 | modern | 50 | #33,784 |
| 2006 | modern | 52 | #33,923 |
| 2007 | modern | 52 | #34,195 |
| 2008 | modern | 51 | #34,439 |
| 2009 | modern | 56 | #34,278 |
| 2010 | modern | 53 | #34,654 |
| 2011 | modern | 52 | #34,688 |
| 2012 | modern | 52 | #34,709 |
| 2013 | modern | 53 | #34,715 |
| 2014 | modern | 52 | #34,803 |
| 2015 | modern | 54 | #34,675 |
| 2016 | modern | 51 | #34,838 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Halifax, London parishes, St Pancras, Blakesley, Pattishall and St Marylebone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Halifax | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Blakesley, Pattishall | Northamptonshire |
| 5 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Kelcher surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Kelcher, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Kelcher surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Kelcher household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Kelcher is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kelcher is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Kelcher, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Kelcher is of German origin, originating in the southern regions of Germany around the 15th century. It is believed to have derived from the old German word "Kelch," meaning "chalice" or "cup." This could suggest that the name was initially associated with a profession or trade related to the production or use of chalices or cups.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kelcher can be found in the town records of Nuremberg, Germany, dating back to the late 16th century. A certain Hans Kelcher was recorded as a resident of the city in 1592. Additionally, there are mentions of the name Kelcher in various church records and tax rolls from the surrounding regions during the same period.
In the 17th century, the name Kelcher appeared in several historical documents in the region of Bavaria. Notably, a Johann Kelcher was listed as a landowner in the village of Oberammergau in 1643. This village is renowned for its traditional Passion Play, which has been performed every ten years since the 17th century.
The name Kelcher has also been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such person was Wilhelm Kelcher, a German philosopher and scholar who lived from 1784 to 1862. He was renowned for his work on ethics and moral philosophy, and his writings had a significant influence on the intellectual circles of his time.
Another prominent figure with the surname Kelcher was Anna Kelcher, a German painter who lived from 1828 to 1891. She was known for her landscapes and portrait paintings, and her works were exhibited in several prestigious galleries across Europe during the 19th century.
In the 20th century, Karl Kelcher, a German engineer, made significant contributions to the field of automotive engineering. He was born in 1901 and worked for several renowned automotive companies, including Daimler-Benz and BMW, where he played a crucial role in the development of innovative engine designs and vehicle technologies.
It is also worth mentioning that the name Kelcher has been associated with several place names in Germany. For instance, the village of Kelchsau in Bavaria, which dates back to the 13th century, derives its name from the old German word "Kelch," suggesting a possible connection to the surname Kelcher.
While the name Kelcher may not be as widely known as some other German surnames, its history and origins are deeply rooted in the cultural and linguistic heritage of southern Germany, stretching back several centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kelcher surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 17 Kelchers recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.96x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 17 | 1.96x |
| Northamptonshire | 13 | 18.90x |
| Kent | 10 | 4.01x |
| Middlesex | 8 | 1.09x |
| Warwickshire | 7 | 3.79x |
| Yorkshire | 6 | 0.83x |
| Glamorgan | 4 | 3.14x |
| Surrey | 3 | 0.84x |
| Devon | 2 | 1.31x |
| Gloucestershire | 2 | 1.39x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.69x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 11.47x |
| Shropshire | 1 | 1.58x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wigan in Lancashire leads with 10 Kelchers recorded in 1881 and an index of 82.44x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Wigan | 10 | 82.44x |
| Woodend | 8 | 13333.33x |
| Birmingham | 7 | 11.39x |
| Kirkdale | 7 | 47.95x |
| Halifax | 6 | 56.39x |
| Minster In Sheppey | 5 | 121.07x |
| Helmdon | 4 | 3076.92x |
| Cardiff St Mary | 3 | 42.74x |
| Shoreditch London | 3 | 9.46x |
| Clifton | 2 | 27.59x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 2 | 17.05x |
| Ratcliffe London | 2 | 49.51x |
| Wonersh | 2 | 454.55x |
| Woolwich | 2 | 21.69x |
| Brackley St James | 1 | 625.00x |
| Clerkenwell London | 1 | 5.79x |
| Colchester St Botolph | 1 | 81.30x |
| Deptford St Paul | 1 | 5.19x |
| Islington London | 1 | 1.41x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 1.57x |
| Lewisham | 1 | 7.51x |
| Newcastle Higher | 1 | 116.28x |
| Oswestry Town | 1 | 49.51x |
| Plumstead | 1 | 12.02x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 13.42x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 1.70x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Kelcher surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Kelcher surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Kelcher households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 10 |
| Dock Lab | 3 |
| Ag Lab | 2 |
| Carpenter | 2 |
| Coal Miner | 2 |
| Housekeeper | 2 |
| (D S) | 1 |
| Agricultural Labourer | 1 |
| Apprentice To Boot & Shoemaker | 1 |
| Bandsman H M S Duncan (R N) | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Boot Maker | 1 |
| Bread Baker | 1 |
| Butter Dealer | 1 |
| Carter | 1 |
| Clerk French Importers | 1 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Dom Serv | 1 |
| Factory Operative (C Mf) | 1 |
| Gen Laborer | 1 |
| Genl Labr | 1 |
| Haberdasher Employing One Girl | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Masons Laborer | 1 |
| Ord 2 Cl | 1 |
| Plasterer | 1 |
| Puddler And Baller | 1 |
| Purse Maker (Unemployed) | 1 |
| Seaman Pensioner R N | 1 |
| Servant Dom | 1 |
| Soldier | 1 |
| Timber Labourer | 1 |
| Waistcoat Maker | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 74 people were recorded with the Kelcher surname. That placed it at #23,062 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 51 in 2016. That gives Kelcher a modern rank of #34,838.
An occupational surname derived from the German word "kelch" or "kelcher," meaning a cup-maker or chalice-maker.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Kelcher bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.