First found in Bavaria, where the family made a considerable contribution to the feudal society which shaped modern Europe.

Thousands of German settlers came to North America between the mid-17th and mid-20th centuries. The hardships of the long voyage were balanced by the opportunity to escape poverty and religious persecution. The descendents of these settlers still populate the states of Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many also live in Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Kocher or a variant listed above: Anna Maria Koch, who came to New York City in 1709. Johann Koch arrived in America in 1709; while Georg Ludwig Koch came to New York City in 1710; Caspar Koch settled in Carolina in 1738.

For more information on the last name Kocher, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.