Kerchner Last Name: Meaning and Heraldic Roots

Seen on a birth certificate or a ship's manifest, Kerchner is usually a form of Kirchner. At root, the name means “sexton”.

• Related forms: Kirchener.
• Before spelling was standardised, one family could appear under several forms.
• Spelled with “e” instead of “i”, Kerchner shows how the same name was heard and written differently.

Kerchner coat of arms

Heraldry is personal: arms associated with the Kirchner surname were borne by specific families, and sharing the name does not mean sharing the blazon. Research your Kerchner family history with a full surname report and painted coat of arms.