It is a toponymic name for people living by the hills. Children inherit their fathers names in many cultures. It has Slovenian and Czech origins. This multi-ethnic but overwhelmingly German culture survived for more than 700 years, from 1226 until 1945. 56. Its origin is unknown, but it is considered to be a Huguenot name. Some German-speaking Jews took last names as early as the 17 th century, . Her surname is not common among Galician Jews but could've just as easily been Czech, Hungarian or German Jewish. Is Hodge a common last name? Kalashnik (Ukrainian origin) means maker of kalaches, which is a type of bread found in the Slavic regions, 45. These uncommon last names belong to famous and notable people from around the world who have had a tremendous impact on the lives of other people. Bilyk (Ukrainian origin) meaning white in Ukrainian, 36. This Czech surname also means a newcomer. This article contains incorrect information, This article doesnt have the information Im looking for, 50 Uncommon German Last Names With Meanings, 60+ Funny Orc Names That Are Perfect For Your Next Campaign, All Of The Pillar Men Names From JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, 100+ Ice Hockey, Roller Hockey, And Hockey Team Names From Past And Present, 80+ Beaver Names From Fiction, Plus Cute And Funny Ideas For Names. Fuge Prussian. Russia Genealogical Resources. A surname that typically corresponded to someone who made and/or repaired wagon wheels. Modrow (Polish origin) means dark blue. Alter/Alterman old; Dreyfusthree legged, perhaps referring to someone who walked with a cane; Erlich honest; Frum devout ; Gottleib God lover, perhaps referring to someone very devout; Geller/Gelber yellow, perhaps referring to someone with blond hair; Gross/Grossman big; Gruber coarse or vulgar; Feifer/Pfeifer whistler; Fried/Friedmanhappy; Hoch/Hochman/Langer/Langerman tall; Klein/Kleinman small; Koenig king, perhaps someone who was chosen as a Purim King, in reality a poor wretch; Krauss curly, as in curly hair; Kurtz/Kurtzman short; Reich/Reichman rich; Reisser giant; Roth/Rothman red head; Roth/Rothbard red beard; Shein/Schoen/Schoenman pretty, handsome; Schwartz/Shwartzman/Charney black hair or dark complexion; Scharf/Scharfman sharp, i.e intelligent; Stark strong, from the Yiddish shtark ; Springer lively person, from the Yiddish springen for jump. It has a German origin, and it means fisher. These last names are among the most popular ones in German culture. Note that this census does not include such regions as East Prussia, Brandenburg, the city of Danzig, and the region known as the Scharpau (the last two did not become Prussian territory until 1793). The surname is a status name derived from Sedlak, which means a farmer owning a smaller piece of land. Between their spelling and meanings, there is plenty to dive into when it comes to these 50 German last names! 30. Durchdenwald (German origin) meaning through-the-forest. Ganus (Russian and Ukrainian origin) the surname is derived from the Russian word for the anise plant, or the Turkish name for spring or source. alone. 11. It is common among all peoples to take last names from the animal kingdom. It means chatterbox or talkative. Return to theMennonite GenealogyPrussian Mennonite Genealogical Resource Page. interactive elements on the site, any assistance, or response you receive is provided by the author 32. Filipovi (Croatian and Serbian origin) meaning son of Filip, 9. Family Tradition might say that an ancestor who spoke German came to the United States from Europe in 1825 from a place by the name of Baden. Cantor (German origin) the name of a mathematician and an outstanding violinist. 2010 The Thought & Expression Company, LLC. If this ancestor came from Germany, there are at least three possibilities as to the place of origin. Scholz (German origin) means mayor. This is a Russian surname meaning "son of Sidor". A German Name. Dubanowski (Polish origin) a surname used to indicate a person belonging to the town of Dubinowo, 97. 1. Vormelker (German origin) means pre-milker. This surname corresponded to someone who could be labeled a "landowner.". 2. Note: Correction 25 September 2014. Lpertz (German origin) the meaning is not clear. The second element of the name is a diminutive suffix. The name "Prussia" was kept by the Germans. For example, if a man was a master swordsman, his name might be schwerdecke, with schwerd and ecke both meaning sword. For example, if there were multiple Johanns living in the same area, Johann Eichner would be the one living by the oaks, Johann Bruecker would be the one by the bridge, and so on. Altshul/Althshuler associated with the old synagogue in Prague; Cantor/Kazan/Singer/Spivack cantor or song leader in shul; Feder/Federman/Schreiber scribe; Haver from haver (court official); Klausner rabbi for small congregation; Klopman calls people to morning prayers by knocking on their window shutters; Lehrer/Malamud/Malmud teacher; Rabin rabbi (Rabinowitzson of rabbi); London scholar, from the Hebrew lamden (misunderstood by immigration inspectors); Reznick ritual slaughterer; Richter judge; Sandek godfather; Schechter/Schachter/Shuchter etc. Mselnk (Czech origin) derived from the Czech word mslo meaning butter. The surname is of Slavic or German origin and means mute, foreigner. It is also the last name of a great actor Christopher Waltz. List of the most common surnames in Germany. 50. The surname Williams was omitted from the original lists. Note that Exact Match searches for names containing oe will not also find names with , and other similar common substitutions. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. These rare German surnames are unusual and come from a time where people were influenced by the happenings around them at that moment. Finally, there may have been Jewish names changed or shortened by immigration inspectors (though this is disputed) or by immigrants themselves (or their descendants) to sound more American, which is why Sean Ferguson was a Jew. Fiala (Czech origin) meaning violet flower, derived from the name given to someone who lived near violet gardens, 69. ); Stein/Steiner/Stone jeweler; Wasserman water carrier. Hruka (Czech origin) meaning pear. The surname is derived from the name Jeremias or possibly from German name Emmerich. List of surnames in Ukraine; References. Many people there had German ancestors who emigrated from Saltzburg and a variety of other German cities and states. A topographical name for someone who lived near a thicket or around many shrubs. Originally this was a status name for a farmer who owned his own land. Vlk means little wolf. 29. Kidadl is supported by you, the reader. It is the root of many Ashkenazic last names, including Liebowitz, Lefkowitz, Lebush, and Leon. Stein (German origin) means rock or stone. Unsurprisingly, this surname means "new.". It is derived from a common nickname given to someone with curly hair, 77. Despite the land being riddle with swamps, many Germans became experts at turning the swamp into flourishing farms. Save the image to your computer and use it as you work with old Germanic records. Ryba (Czech and Polish origin) meaning fish in both languages. Horak. This is a diminutive form of Gabriel, which, in Hebrew, means God of strength. Of Slovak origin, the habitational surname is given to someone from an unknown place named with repa, which means turnip. The Kidadl Team is made up of people from different walks of life, from different families and backgrounds, each with unique experiences and nuggets of wisdom to share with you. (1972). 31. They have been superseded by more up-to-date and comprehensive information, which you can find on the Most Common Surnames in Birth, Marriage and Death registers pages. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so its important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. Surnames derived from German words and/or with German suffixes were common in two areas a good distance apart: A continuous region in the southwestern part of the Empire comprising Bessarabia, Podolia and Volhynia. For example, "Bergman" was "mountain dweller", "Riethman . Ivan - a gift from God Anastasia - resurrection. Over time, Jews accepted the new last names, which were essential as Jews sought to advance within the broader society and as the shtetles were transformed or Jews left them for big cities. The term denotes a free cottage with some land around it. Panchenko (Ukrainian origin) common surname meaning fisher, 51. Jankovi (Croatian and Serbian origin) meaning son of Janko, 17. Vorobyev is a common Russian surname and is an ode to precious sparrows. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed. If you find a surname match, see the "About Database (Surname List)" page to see how to contact that GGG Member. What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. Malaya (Russian and Ukrainian origin) in both Russian and Ukrainian languages, this word means small or "little, 49. Hirsch means deer or stag in Yiddish. The following table is a count of how many times each family name, or variation of that name, appears in the 1776 census of Mennonites in West Prussia. Petr also was one of Christ's apostles, the founder of the Christian Church, and he was considered as a strong patron for a person. The word has a Czech origin. Should you have any concerns about your health, or of that of your baby or child, please consult with Germans may be known for their beer, sausage, bread, and more, but what about their surnames? use of this site indicates your agreement to be bound by the Terms of Use. Comes from the Moravian Lanik, which means wealthy farmer. The surname is derived from the first name Stephen. This list was made as part of a study of the 1776 census, which has been published in the Oct. 2006 and Jan. 2007 issues of Heritage Posting . This habitational name refers to someone who lived in a house differentiated with an eagle sign. Check your inbox for your latest news from us. A name coming from the word Roman, it means someone coming from Rome. She began her journey as a German translator soon after completing her graduation, but later moved on to pursue her passion for writing. By joining Kidadl you agree to Kidadls Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing communications from Kidadl. You may view the available forms in a new window by clicking on the links of your preferred format Or you can download (save files to your computer) by Right-Clicking on them instead, then choosing "Save as". 19. Miscellaneous other names included Diamond; Glick/Gluck luck; Hoffman hopeful; Fried/Friedman happiness; Lieber/Lieberman lover. Germany Surname Distribution Map. Comes from the German word Kliebert, which is an occupational name for a woodsman. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. Russian Surnames. This is an occupational surname related to operating a mill (milling). It is a diminutive of Nicholas. The name is derived from an Upper German word and means curly. Of Czech origin, a name is a derivative form of the name Vecesalav, which means big glory. 30. This surname is an occupational name for someone in the service of an abbot. Navrtil (Czech origin) meaning returned, derived from navrtit, which means to return, 81. Lomachenko (Ukrainian origin) derived from the word lam, which means scrap in the Ukrainian language, 48. the "eit" at the end of their Surnames. This does not influence our choices. This is a status surname given to the person owning a cottage. 31. Until this period, Jewish names generally changed with every generation. Running into a "Jensen" is like running into a "Smith" in the United States. [CDATA[ Also, if you want to know the meaning of your German surname then this is the list for you. The name became really popular when a lot of children were named Petr after the Russian Emperor . The root words that formed German names often stemmed from four categories that were flushed out over time. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, creative tips and more. Education was traditionally an internal Jewish affair. . People are likely to ignore queries that give only a surname. female: Andreeva. German last names have a strong presence in both Christian and Jewish communities across the globe. Learn about these common German surnames and their respective meanings. Most last names across cultures have a meaning and a story behind them and often relate to a family's origin, occupation, ancestors, etc. Kidadl has lots of great name articles to inspire you. Only GGG Members can submit a "Data Correction" for their own surnames. Interestingly, some traditional Russian names are popular across all the ex-Soviet republics, in particular Alexander, Sergey, Maksim and Andrey; and Anna, Olga, Sofia and Anastasia. "https://secure.trust-provider.com/" : "http://www.trustlogo.com/"); Hhnerbein (German origin) meaning chicken-leg. Richard Andrees 1881 map of the Jews of Central Europe. Jensen. List Of Popular German Last Names Or Surnames. Mlyn (Czech origin) meaning miller, 80. Khler (German origin) meaning "bald one," and the name bearer was a renowned mathematician who lived from 1906 - 2000. . Now, let's get into the list you have been waiting for below. Mller. 50 German Last Names. Gorbachev: Hunchback. Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Prussian surname lived. The process began in the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1787 and ended in Czarist Russia in 1844. Kraus - Means "curly-haired". Dmitriev: Given to People From Dmitriyev. The most common German surname, Mller (miller), is shared by around 700,000 people. Garfinkel/Garfunkel diamond dealer; Holzman/Holtz/Waldman timber dealer; Kaufman merchant; Rokeach spice merchant; Salzman salt merchant; Seid/Seidmansilk merchant; Tabachnik snuff seller; Tuchman cloth merchant; Wachsman wax dealer; Wechsler/Halphan money changer; Wollman wool merchant; Zucker/Zuckerman sugar merchant. It is borne by around 1 in 2,110,497 people. Soroka (Ukrainian and Jewish origin) meaning magpie, 54. Broz (Croatian origin) a diminutive of Ambrozije, 6. Vorobyev. As a result, the Germanic origins of most East European Jews is reflected in their names. GGG members should log-in to the Members Area to see the contact information. Archaki (Polish and Ukrainian origin) meaning lord or ruler. The word means a person from the hills and, is derived from the Czech word hora meaning hills. Nikoli (Croatian and Serbian origin) meaning son of Nikola, 21. The beautiful thing about last names is that they are handed down from one generation to the other. But many of these families had a common denominator. When Jews in the Austro-Hungarian Empire were required to assume last names, some chose the nicest ones they could think of and may have been charged a registration fee by the authorities. When names first came about in German history, people tended to only have one name. Datsyuk (Ukrainian and Russian origin) meaning to offer or provide a service. Zori (Croatian and Serbian origin) meaning son of Zora. Derived from Benedikt, meaning blessed, this name was made popular by the famous basketball player Ivan Benes. The surname translates to Matthews or son of Matthew. Of Slovak origin, it is the occupational name for a carpenter. The surname has Czech and Slovenian origins. Death 15 Jun 1932 - Naunheim, Hessen-Nassau, Prussia, Germany. Meaning "landlord" or "self-employed farmer. It can also be used as an occupational surname for an artilleryman. your doctor. Anti (Croatian and Serbian origin) meaning son of Anto or son of Ante, 3. Minorities were Austrian, Dutch, Scotch, French as well the original Prussians, Lithuanians and Poles. Derived from the Hebrew language, it means consecrated to God. Gold/Goldman/Gulden may derived from Golda; Malkov from Malke; Perlman husband of Perl; Rivken may derive from Rivke; Soronsohnson of Sarah. Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. Patitz (German origin) the meaning is unknown. "Bach, Johann Sebastian".In this, the German conventions parallel the naming . Note that this census does not include such regions as East Prussia, Brandenburg, the city of Danzig, and the region known as the Scharpau (the last two did not become Prussian territory until 1793). Frani (Croatian origin) another variation of Franji, 10. It is the root of many Ashkenazic last names, including Hirschfeld, Hirschbein/Hershkowitz (son of Hirsch), Hertz/Herzl, Cerf, Hart, and Hartman. There are several Slavic surnames that belong to different countries in the region. The information on this website is of a general nature and available for educational purposes only and 6. Holub (Czech and Ukrainian origin) meaning dove or pigeon in both languages, 70. Ivanovi (Croatian and Serbian origin) meaning son of Ivan, 16. Within this name, "ov" means "of" thus, "Ivanov" means "son of Ivan". Baumann (German origin) means farmer. They likely have some mouthwatering recipes in their family linethis last name means "cook. After all, whether you're a globetrotter who fell in love with Germany, have German ancestry that carries great significance to you, or have an affinity for German carsBMW, Volkswagen, Porsche, etc., there are many reasons why German surnames could make their way onto your lists of names. Means "miller". Derived from the Czech word hlava meaning head, the name means a clever one. The surname is a nickname for a tenacious man. Various artists and writers may also be interested in German surnames, but for the purpose of naming book characters, incorporating them into song lyrics, finding them as inspiration for the titles of paintings, sculptures, or other artwork, and more. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, It means Exalted of the God. Baer/Berman/Beerman/Berkowitz/Beronson bear; Adler eagle (may derive from reference to an eagle in Psalm 103:5); Einhorn unicorn; Falk/Sokol/Sokolovksy falcon; Fink finch; Fuchs/Liss fox; Gelfand/Helfand camel (technically means elephant but was used for camel too); Hechtpike; Hirschhorn deer antlers; Karp carp; Loeb lion; Ochs ox; Strauss ostrich (or bouquet of flowers); Wachtel quail. They worked as a means of classifying who the two syllables belonged to. Personal names in German-speaking Europe consist of one or several given names (Vorname, plural Vornamen) and a surname (Nachname, Familienname).The Vorname is usually gender-specific. They have varied origins and were also occupational and toponymic. Aksamit (Polish, Ukrainian, Belarusian, and Czech origin) meaning velvet. Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Having unique names and surnames gives your character and personality a boost. lusarski (Polish origin) an occupational name given to a locksmith, derived from the word lusarz, which has Germanic origins. It is an occupational surname for a smith. Aber. Jehlika (Czech origin) derived from the Czech word jehla, meaning needle. Last Name) is a required entry field. By the mid-1500s the Roman Catholic Church began requiring parents to name their newborn after a saint. Chmela (Czech origin) meaning hops, derived from the name given to the person who grew beer hops, 65. T is a Vietnamese surname (Ch Nm: ) derived from the Chinese surname Su. Uncategorized. 21. 1938. Smith is the most common last name in the United States, followed by Johnson, Miller, Jones, Williams, . This family could be quite cunning with a name meaning of "fox-like.". 1. The name comes from the name Farnacius. Valaitis Lithuanian, German (East Prussian) Best known as the surname of a certain Lena. The surname means brick layer or to reproach. Its a nickname derived from vlach, which means foreigner. Germany had a very strong army and oftentimes people were named after various weaponry or militaristic words such as Gund for battle. Below are more last name articles that lead a reader to discover more about their surname and family history. Many German surnames have noticeable characteristics such as beginning with Sch-, containing the letters au or ei together, ending with -er and -mann, etc. Non-GGG members may search the Surname List database. Polk (Czech origin) meaning Pole, as in Person from Poland in Czech, 85. A family who was living near, or had once lived near, a stream or brook. Bauer - Means "neighbor". 2. The surname means a beautiful little rose. Croatian last names commonly end with i or -ich to indicate a diminutive suffix that combines with either the fathers name or the persons profession. It comes from the term Ambrosios meaning immortal. Its taken centuries for German names to develop into what they are today with each last name meaning something unique. The German language isnt known for being wistful or flimsy. For centuries, Jewish communal leaders were responsible for collecting taxes from the Jewish population on behalf of the government, and in some cases were responsible for filling draft quotas. Names related to the military are the oldest German names in existence. Heinrich (German origin) means "powerful home". Kravitz/Portnoy/Schneider/Snyder tailor; Nadelman/Nudelman also tailor, but from needle; Sher/Sherman also tailor, but from scissors or shears; Presser/Pressman clothing presser; Futterman/Kirshner/Kushner/Peltz furrier; Weber weaver. The name has Slovak, Czech, Croatian, Serbian and Hungarian origins. "Petr" means "stone" or "cliff" in Greek. The home of the bean and the cod. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents. Best Songs to Help Kids Brush Their Teeth, 120 Filipino Last Names or Surnames & Their Meanings, 170 Baby Boy & Girl Name That Mean 'Gift from God', 600+ Unique & Cute Nicknames for Boys & Girls, Protecting Adolescents From Common Food and Waterborne Diseases, Why an Ideal pH 5.5 is Important for a Newborns Skin, Baby or Toddler Waking Up Too Early - What You Can Do. It may have been derived from Dornk, an equivalent of Dorothy which means Gods Gift. 140. These Germanic surnames are very unique and are not your average name. Each surname carries its own unique meaning and indicates which land the person belongs to. It is derived from the German Andreas, which means courageous. ", A family with this last name might agree that age is just a number, as their name means "young.". Germany has made history, and some of its citizens have made a mark for themselves. Jensen means "son of Jens", and the name "Jen" is a variation of John. This last name is predominantly found in Europe, where 61 percent of Berent reside; 55 percent reside in Eastern Europe and 53 percent reside in West Slavic Europe. Lieb means lion in Yiddish. There are names that are very common in Germany, including Muller which means "miller". Yablokov. It is the Yiddish translation of the Hebrew word for gazelle: tsvi. In both eastern and western countries, Russian surnames connect families to their Soviet roots. Dietrich (German origin) means peoples ruler. It can be occupational, habitational, or even geographical. Bleibtreu (German origin) the last name of a famous actor. These 50 German surnames may fascinate individuals who are looking for a unique way to tie-in a German last name as either a first or middle name option for future baby names or pet names. A common last name for someone who sold butter or buttermilk, 79. If you liked our suggestions for uncommon German last names then why not take a look at Belgian last names, or for something different take a look at last names that start with M. The Kidadl Team is made up of people from different walks of life, from different families and backgrounds, each with unique experiences and nuggets of wisdom to share with you. This may include tips on using German language resources, understanding naming conventions and geographical boundaries, finding and interpreting immigration records, and using online databases and resources. As an Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases. Of Slavic origin, the surname means winter. TrustLogo("https://www.positivessl.com/images/seals/positivessl_trust_seal_md_167x42.png", "POSDV", "none"); It is a diminutive of Vlcek, and also refers to a quick person. Grndgens (German origin) means gods staff or famous guest, also the name of a famous actor, Gustaf Grundgens who lived from 1899 - 1963. 1854. The surname is an ethnic name for a Hungarian. Herzsprung (German origin) meaning heart-leap. Gnther (Scandinavian origin) meaning warrior, a common family surname. Names based on Hebrew acronyms include: Baron bar aron (son of Aaron); Beck bene kedoshim (descendant of martyrs); Getz gabbai tsedek (righteous synagogue official); Katz kohen tsedek (righteous priest); Metz moreh tsedek (teacher of righteousness); Sachs, Saks zera kodesh shemo (his name descends from martyrs); Segal se gan levia (second-rank Levite).