Show ContentsBisch History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Bisch

What does the name Bisch mean?

The surname Bisch originates from the Old Norse word "buski," meaning "bush," or "woods" thus it is classed at a toponymic surname and was most likely used by a man who lived near a prominent bush. It is equivalent to the English surname "Bush."

Alternatively, the name could have been a metonymic occupational name from bussemaker, a maker of boxes and tins or of firearms from (Middle) Dutch bus 'box tin firearm'. 1 The Bosch variant was derived from the Dutch word "bos," which translates to mean "forest."

The variants van den Bosch and van der Bosch literally mean "den Bosch," and may denote someone who hails from the city Den Bosch. While Dutch in origin, the names are also frequented in Belgium.

Early Origins of the Bisch family

The surname Bisch was first found in the duchy of Brabant, a state of the Holy Roman Empire, established in 1183 which later became part of the Burgundian Netherlands from 1430 and of the Habsburg Netherlands from 1482. A search through early records revealed Hieronymus Bosch, born Jheronimus van Aken (c. 1450-1516) a Dutch painter who hailed from Brabant.

Early History of the Bisch family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bisch research. The years 1450, 1516, 1634, 1656, 1686, 1736, 1938 and 1996 are included under the topic Early Bisch History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bisch Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Bosch, van den Bosch, Bos, van den Bos, Bosse and many more.

Early Notables of the Bisch family

Hieronymous Bosch (1450-1516), Dutch painter who's work is well-known for the use of fantastic imagery to illustrate moral and religious concepts; and Jasper van den Bos (1634-1656), a Dutch Golden Age marine painter. Huis ten Bosch is one of the four official residences of the Dutch Royal...
Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bisch Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Bisch migration to the United States +



Bisch Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Albert Bisch, who settled in Philadelphia in 1807
  • Adam Bisch, who arrived in Ohio in 1844

Contemporary Notables of the name Bisch (post 1700) +

  • Art Bisch (1926-1958), American racecar driver
  • Thierry Bisch (b. 1953), French artist


  1. Hanks Patricia, Flavia Hodges, Mills A.D., Room Adrian, The Oxford Names Companion. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002. Print. (ISBN 0-19-860561-7)


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