| ![Show Contents]() Kirchen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Germany Israel The German state of Silesia is the glorious birthplace of the distinguished surname Kirchen. In the medieval era, Germany was fragmented and inhabited by numerous Barbarian tribes, who fought amongst themselves for control of the land. The ancient dukedom of Silesia derived its name from the Germanic tribe named the Silingers, who occupied Silesia between the 2nd and the 6th centuries. Early Origins of the Kirchen familyThe surname Kirchen was first found in Silesia, where the family became noted for its many branches within the region, many houses acquiring a status and influence which rivaled that of the landed aristocracy. In their later history some branches were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they distinguished themselves through their contributions to the social, political, and economic developments of the nation. The mediaeval form of the name, "Kirchherr," meant literally "priest" or "servant of the church." The word "Kirchner" is still used in this way today in certain parts of Thuringia. Early History of the Kirchen familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kirchen research. Another 172 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1592, 1601, 1657, 1680, 1707 and 1731 are included under the topic Early Kirchen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Kirchen Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Kirchner, Circhner, Kirchener, Kerchner, Cerchner, Kirckner, Kerkner, Kerckner, Kercher, Kirchen, Kircher and many more. Early Notables of the Kirchen familyNotables of the period with the surname Kirchen were Athanasius Kircher (1601-1680), known as Father Kircher, who was a Jesuit priest famous across Europe for his great...
Another 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kirchen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Kirchen familySome of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Georg Kirchner, who came to New York State in 1710. Johannes Kirchner arrived in Philadelphia in 1731; as did Johann Adam Kircher in 1741; Johann Philip Kercher in 1742.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Kirchen (post 1700) | + |
- Otto C. Kirchen, American politician, Candidate for Mayor of Lansing, Michigan, 1924 1
- Erny Kirchen (b. 1949), former Luxembourg cyclist at the 1972 Summer Olympics
- Alfred John "Alf" Kirchen (1913-1999), English footballer who played from 1934 to 1943, member of the England National Team (1935-1937)
- Kim Kirchen (b. 1978), former Luxembourg road racing cyclist
- Jeng Kirchen (1919-2010), Luxembourgish road racing cyclist in the Tour de France
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