Koechner

Koechner is a surname of German origin. The spelling Koechner is the common Anglicized form of Köchner, with the umlaut typically rendered as oe in contexts where the umlaut is not available. The name is generally considered occupational in origin, derived from Koch, the German word for cook, with the -ner suffix forming an agent or resident, effectively meaning “one associated with cooking” or “cook’s family.” In some cases, surnames with similar roots may also arise from place names, but the occupational explanation is the most widely cited.

Notable people with the surname include David Koechner (born 1962), an American actor and comedian known for his roles in the Anchorman films, The Office, and various other projects. Beyond him, bearers of the name have established themselves in multiple fields, but there is no single additional figure who is universally recognized as representative of the surname.

Variants of the name include Köchner, with further transliteration and spelling variations arising from migration and language adaptation. The surname is found among German-speaking communities and in North America as a result of historical immigration.