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![Show Contents]() Bochter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Germany
The surname Bochter is of nickname derivation and the surname arose from a nickname by which the original bearer was known. In this case, it is derived from the Old German word bock, which meant goat or donkey, and was given to a person known for being stubborn and for being spiteful. A broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, nickname surnames referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character. Often nicknames described strong traits or attributes that people wished to emulate in a specific animal. In the pre-Christian era, many pagan gods and demi-gods were believed to be a mixture of animals and humans, such as the Greek god Pan who was the god of flocks and herds and was represented as a man with the legs, horns and ears of a goat. In the Middle Ages, anthropomorphic ideas, which attributed human qualities and form to gods or animals, were held about the characters of other living creatures. They were based on the creature's habits. Moreover, these associations were reflected in folk tales, mythology, and legends which portrayed animals behaving as humans. Early Origins of the Bochter familyThe surname Bochter was first found in Swabia, where the family became noted for its many branches with the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region. In their later history the family became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into this most influential family. Literally, in its mediaeval context, the name meant "one who is spiteful." Early History of the Bochter familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bochter research. Another 109 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1315, 1342, 1559, 1617, 1661, 1664 and 1687 are included under the topic Early Bochter History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Bochter Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Bockler, Bocher, Bochler, Boechli (Alemannia), Bochtler (Wuerttemberg), Bochter and many more. Early Notables of the Bochter familyNotables with the surname Bochter during this period were - K. der Bochter, who was one of the founding fathers of a prominent line of the family in Swabia
Migration of the Bochter familySome of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Adrian Bochler, who came to Philadelphia in 1872.
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