Show ContentsKarcher History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The colorful history of the German region of Silesia provides the setting for oldest origins of the Karcher family surname. The name Karcher comes from the Middle High German word "karc," meaning "cunning," or "sly." As such, the surname was most likely originally a nickname which later became a surname.

Early Origins of the Karcher family

The surname Karcher was first found in Silesia, where this family made important contributions toward the development of this district from ancient times. Always prominent in social and political affairs, the family formed alliances with other families within the Feudal System and the nation. Ancient chronicles first mention Heinczel Kergel of Prague (c.1321,) Nicolaus Karger of Olmuetz (c.1361,) and Wigund Karge of Hessen (c.1265).

Early History of the Karcher family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Karcher research. Another 379 words (27 lines of text) covering the years 1598, 1613, 1614, 1698, 1699, 1709, 1723, 1774, 1813, 1827, 1837, 1841 and 1846 are included under the topic Early Karcher History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Karcher Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Karg, Karger, Kaerg, Kaerger, Karge, Kaerge, Kaergel, Kerg, Kerger, Kergel, Kerge, Karc and many more.

Early Notables of the Karcher family

Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Karcher Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Karcher Ranking

In the United States, the name Karcher is the 11,049th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Karcher is ranked the 8,888th most popular surname with an estimated 500 - 1,000 people with that name. 2


United States Karcher migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Karcher Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • David Karcher, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1733 3
  • Martie Karcher, aged 19, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1738 3
  • Philip Karcher, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1749 3
  • Ludwig Henrich Karcher, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1753 3
  • Christoph Jacob Karcher, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1753 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Karcher Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Valentin Karcher, who arrived in Brazil in 1828 3
  • Solomon Karcher, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1843 3
  • Louis Karcher, aged 33, who arrived in New York, NY in 1847 3
  • Caroline Karcher, aged 9, who landed in New York in 1854 3
  • Caspar Karcher, aged 22, who arrived in New York in 1854 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Karcher (post 1700) +

  • John Clarence Karcher (1894-1978), American geophysicist and businessman
  • James Norman Karcher (1914-1997), American football offensive lineman
  • Mark Karcher (b. 1978), retired American professional basketball player
  • Alan J. Karcher (1943-1999), American Democratic Party politician
  • Ellen Karcher (b. 1964), American Democratic Party politician
  • Kenneth Paul Karcher (b. 1963), American football coach and former player
  • Carl Nicholas Karcher (1917-2008), American businessman
  • Horatio S. Karcher (1868-1939), American Republican politician, Member of Michigan State Senate 28th District, 1923-28; defeated in primary, 1928 4
  • Hannah Karcher, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Iowa, 1944 4
  • Ellen Karcher, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New Jersey, 2004 4
  • ... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  3. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 6) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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