Surname Bacharach - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Bacharach: What does the surname Bacharach mean?
The last name Bacharach is of German origin. It is derived from the city of Bacharach in the Rhineland-Palatinate region in Germany. The name comes from the German word ‘bacharach’ which means ‘meadow or river bank’.
Bacharach was once the home of the legendary Jewish-German composer of the same name, Burt Bacharach. He is remembered for his extensive list of hits such as ‘The Look of Love’, ‘What the World Needs Now’, ‘I Say a Little Prayer’ and ‘Close to You’. Burt Bacharach was not the first of the Bacharach family to find success in the music industry though. His grandfather, Ludwig Bacharach, was an acclaimed composer for the Frankfurt Opera House.
The Bacharach name has become synonymous with music and a sign of German cultural heritage. It is interesting to note that the last name Bacharach has even survived the Holocaust, as many of the local Bacharach family were able to flee Germany for the United States.
Today, members of the Bacharach family continue to make their mark in the world of music. Notable descendants include R&B singer and actress, Teedra Moses, and the award-winning singer and songwriter, Jackie Venson.
Overall, the last name Bacharach is a sign of musical excellence. It is a tribute to the past as much as to the present and gives insight into a long line of musical talent.
Order DNA origin analysisBacharach: Where does the name Bacharach come from?
The surname Bacharach is most commonly found among Jewish families living in Germany and Central Europe. It is widely believed that the name originated with the Jewish scholars of the Rhineland during the Middle Ages, and is derived from a combination of German and Hebrew, translated to mean "current of blessing." Today, the Bacharach name is widely spread, with individuals carrying it across the world.
In the United States, Bacharach families are mainly concentrated in the northeast and the mid-Atlantic states. As of 2019, the largest concentrations of this name were in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. These states are home to the largest Jewish population in the U.S., and as such are where many descendants of the original Rhineland families came to settle.
In Europe, Bacharachs are most strongly represented in Germany, Austria, Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary. This is a reflection of the families’ origins, before they migrated to the United States in the early 19th and 20th centuries.
Aside from Europe and the United States, there are also Bacharachs living in Canada, Israel, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. In all of these places, the Bacharachs have become an established part of their respective communities, enriching everyday life and helping to shape the culture.
The Bacharach name endures across the globe today, with thousands of individuals proudly bearing it as a tribute to the family’s history. Whether they are living in Germany, the United States, or elsewhere, all Bacharachs share a strong connection through their shared heritage.
Variations of the surname Bacharach
The surname Bacharach is derived from the German surename Bacharach, which can also be spelled Bachrach, Bacherach and different variants of Bacher. The surname Bacharach originates from the city of Bacharach located along the Rhine River near Mainz. Historically, it was the ancestral home of those who bore the surname. The town of Bacharach is renowned for its structures from the Middle Ages, most notable among them the Romanesque Stahleck Castle which overlooks the town, providing great views of the Rhine Valley.
The Bacharach surname can have various other spellings, including the common variations of Bacharach such as Bachrach, Bacherach, Bacher, and Bacherach. It can also result in the German von Bacharach variation, as well as Bachraach and Bicherach. The surname is also spelt as Becharach, Becher and Becherach.
The Bacharach name can appear in various surnames as well, including Bachrich, Bacherachbaum, Bacherle, Bachracher, Bachert, Bacherischer, Bachricht, Bacherlach and Bachrak. There are also non-European variants to be found, such as Bograch, Borach, Purach, and Prach.
Famous people with the name Bacharach
- Burt Bacharach: American composer, songwriter, and music producer. He has composed hundreds of popular hit songs from the 1950s through present day.
- Dionne Warwick: American singer and musician who has released more than 70 albums and singles over the course of her career. She has often collaborated with Bacharach, such as on hits like “Do You Know the Way to San Jose” and “Walk On By.”
- Hal David: American lyricist who wrote many songs with Bacharach, including “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head,” “What the World Needs Now,” and “Close to You.”
- Marlene Dietrich: German-American actress who recorded several songs written and performed by Bacharach, such as “Tokyo Melody,” “Falling in Love Again,” and “The Look of Love.”
- Hugo Wolf Bacharach: German philosopher and theologian who wrote works on ethics, epistemology, and the philosophy of science.
- Karl Bacharach: American professor emeritus of Liberal Studies and Social Sciences at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is an expert on many topics including the history of economic thought.
- Casey Bacharach: Actor, comedian, and writer who has appeared on shows like Chappelle’s Show and Mind of Mencia. He is also a producer on Billy on the Street.
- Jill Bacharach: American actress, producer, and theatre director best known for her roles in the films Hello Again and The Glass Menagerie.