200 Top German Last Names Or Surnames With Meanings

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German last names have been influenced by the political and geographical changes that Germany experienced. So, most of the surnames in Germany are based on the profession and native places of people. However, many of these professions do not exist anymore, but the surnames still exist.

This post will give you a list of interesting German surnames with their meanings and origin.

In This Article

List Of Popular German Last Names Or Surnames

1. Abel

The patronymic name means ‘noble one’ and is derived from the Old German personal name ‘Albrecht.’

2. Aber

This name is of Teutonic (a tribe that inhabited coastal Germany) origin, which means ‘illustrious.’ Another origin for the name could be the Old German word ‘Albrecht.’

3. Achen

It is a toponymic name referring to people who originally came from the city of Aachen in western Germany.

4. Adelberg

It is a toponymic name for the people who came from the town of Adelberg in Germany. The name is a combination of two German words ‘adel’ meaning ‘noble’ and ‘berg’ meaning ‘mountain.’

5. Altmann

This German surname is a variant of the name ‘Aldman.’ It translates into ‘old man’ in German.

6. Angert

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The surname is a variant of the German word ‘Anger,’ which means ‘meadow,’ ‘lawn’ or ‘greenery.’

7. Babler

It is a variant of the name ‘Babo,’ which is derived from the Old German name ‘Badubrecht.’ It means ‘battle-bright.’

8. Bach

It means a ‘stream,’ ‘brook,’ or a ‘creek’ in German. It is probably a toponymic name referring to someone who lived by a stream or a water body.

9. Bahn

It is a German toponymic surname that comes from the Middle High German word ‘ban’ meaning an ‘open space’ or an ‘open area.’

10. Balsiger

This is a toponymic name for people who hail from a place called Palzing in the Bavarian region of Germany.

11. Bank

It is the German word for ‘bench’ and was likely an occupational name for anyone in a profession that required a bench for work.

12. Banner

It is derived from the Middle High German word ‘Banier,’ which means ‘flag bearer.’ This German surname is probably an occupational one.

13. Bartel

It is derived from the German name ‘Bertwald,’ which comes from the Old High German words, ‘beraht’ meaning ‘bright’ and ‘wald’ meaning ‘rule.’

14. Bayer

The regional name denotes a person from the German state of Bavaria, which is called ‘Bayern’ in German. It is one of the notable German last names that start with B.

15. Billman

This toponymic surname denotes a dweller along the river Bille in Hamburg, Germany.

16. Candler

It is a spelling variant of ‘Kandler,’ which is an occupational name for a potter.

protip_icon Did you know?
Schneider is another occupational surname from Germany that refers to ‘a tailor.’ Snyder, Schnieder, Snider, Schnyder, Sneider, Schneyder, or Znaider are some alternative spellings of this name.

17. Canter

It is the German variant of the name ‘Kanter’ or ‘Kantor,’ which is an occupational name for a schoolmaster or a choirmaster.

18. Dahm

It is a toponymic name for people from several places called Dahme in Germany.

19. Danner

It is likely derived from the Middle Low German word ‘dan,’ which means ‘pines’ or ‘forest.’ It is a German toponymic name for people who live near the forest.

20. Debus

It is derived from the name ‘Matthaus,’ which is the German variant of the name ‘Matthew’ that means ‘gift of God’ in Hebrew.

21. Decker

It comes from the German word ‘decke’ meaning a ‘ceiling,’ ‘roof’ or ‘cover.’ This occupational surname refers to a ‘carpenter,’ ‘builder’ or someone who thatches a roof.

22. Degler

An occupational name for a potter, where degel means ‘pot’ or ‘earthenware’ in Low German.

23. Deichert

It is an altered version of ‘Teicher,’ which is a toponymic surname for people who live by a pond. ‘Teich’ is the German word for ‘pond.’

24. Dell

It comes from the Low German word ‘delle,’ which means dell – a small valley in English. Another origin is the German word ‘edel,’ which means ‘noble’ or an ‘aristocrat.’

25. Denhart

It is derived from the German name ‘Degenhardt,’ which is composed of Old German words, namely ‘degen’ meaning ‘young warrior’ and ‘hardt’ meaning ‘strong.’

26. Eben

It is a German toponymic surname referring to people who originally came from the place called Eben in Bavaria, Germany.

27. Eberhardt

It is a combination of the German words ‘eber,’ meaning a ‘boar,’ and ‘hardt,’ meaning ‘strong’ or ‘tough.’ The name thus means ‘strong boar’ or ‘brave boar.’

28. Ebert

It is related to the name ‘Eberhardt’ and means ‘strong boar.’ Another origin could be the name ‘Herbert,’ which comes from the Old German words ‘hari’ meaning an ‘army’ and ‘beraht’ meaning ‘bright.’

29. Eckstein

It comes from the Old German words ‘ecke’ meaning ‘edge’ or ‘corner’ and stein meaning ‘stone.’ This German surname is either toponymic referring to someone who lived on a cliff or occupational referring to a stonemason.

30. Edinger

It is a toponymic surname for someone who is from any of the several places called Edingen in Germany.

31. Eggemann

It is a variant of the name ‘Eckmann’ where ‘ecke’ is the Old German word for ‘edge’ or ‘corner.’ This surname likely refers to someone who lived on the edge of a hill or corner of two streets or corner of a field.

32. Eichmann

It is a combination of the Middle High German word ‘Eiche’ meaning ‘oak’ and ‘mann’ meaning ‘man.’ The surname thus translates to ‘oak man’ and could be a toponymic surname referring to someone who lived near an oak tree.

33. Eidman

It is a short form of a German personal name ‘Aido,’ which probably derived from ‘Eid’ meaning an ‘oath.’

34. Eiker

It is a spelling variant of the German name ‘Eicher,’ which comes from the word ‘Eich’ meaning an oak tree.

35. Eisenberg

It is a combination of Middle High German words ‘Eisen’ meaning ‘iron’ and ‘berg’ meaning ‘mountain.’

36. Eisenhauer

‘Eisen’ means ‘iron’ and ‘hauer’ means ‘to hew’ or ‘to cut.’ It is a German occupational name for a blacksmith.

37. Esther

It is a toponymic name for those who are from a place named Ester in Bavaria, Germany.

38. Eulberg

The toponymic name refers to someone from Eulenburg or Eilenburg in Germany.

39. Eyer

It is a variant of the name ‘Egger,’ which originated from the German word ‘eggen’ meaning ‘to harrow.’ This surname is likely an occupational one referring to a farmer.

40. Fackler

This occupational surname originates from Middle High German and refers to a ‘torchbearer’ or ‘torchmaker.’

41. Fahrer

It is an occupational name for a ferryman and a toponymic name for those who live by a ferry.

42. Falkner

It is an occupational name for ‘falconer’ whose job was to look after the birds (falcons) and train their young ones.

43. Fassbender

It is derived from the word ‘Fassbinder,’ which is the combination of two Middle High German words, namely ‘faz’ meaning ‘barrel’ and ‘binder’ meaning ‘joiner.’ The surname ‘Fassbender’ is an occupational name referring to a cooper.

44. Faust

It is derived from the Middle High German word ‘fust’ meaning ‘fist’ thus referring to a strong person. Another reference for the surname could be the Latin word ‘Faustus,’ which means ‘favorable’ or ‘lucky.’

45. Fink

The beautiful bird Finch

Image: IStock

It is the German name for the bird ‘Finch.’ The surname is originally considered to be a nickname for a lively and cheerful person.

46. Funke

It is a nickname for a blacksmith or a person who is of short stature and lively or irritable. The surname likely originated from the Middle High German word ‘vunke’ meaning ‘spark.’

47. Gabel

It is the German word for ‘fork.’ It is an occupational surname for someone who was a seller or maker of all types of forks including pitchforks.

48. Gebhardt

It is a personal name composed of two words, namely ‘geb’ meaning ‘gift’ and ‘hardt’ meaning ‘strong’ or ‘hard.’

49. Gehr

It is derived from the Old German word ‘ger,’ which means ‘spear.’

50. Geiss

It is an occupational name for a goatherd derived from the word ‘geiz’ meaning ‘goat.’

51. Geller

It comes from the German word ‘gellen,’ which means a ‘shrill sound’ or ‘to yell.’ It was probably an occupational surname for a town crier.

52. Gerner

A toponymic name for someone hailing from any of the several places called Gern in Bavaria, Germany.

53. Gerwig

It is a German surname made from the Old German words ‘ger’ meaning ‘spear’ and wig meaning ‘battle.’

54. Gossmann

A German surname composed of two words, namely ‘goz’ meaning ‘goth’ and ‘mann’ meaning a ‘man.’

55. Grab

A toponymic surname derived from ‘grabe’ or ‘graben’ that means a ‘ditch’ or ‘moat.’

56. Haber

It comes from the Middle High German word ‘Habere,’ which means ‘oats.’ It is likely an occupational surname referring to a grower or seller of oats.

57. Hader

It comes from the Old High German word ‘hadu’ meaning battle. The word means ‘discord,’ ‘discontentment’ or a ‘quarrel’ in New High German (Modern German).

58. Hager

It is the German word for ‘gaunt’ or an ‘extremely thin person.’ Another derivation could be the Middle High German word ‘hac’ meaning a ‘hedge’ or a ‘fenced enclosure.’

59. Hahn

It means ‘rooster’ and could have been a nickname of an excessively proud person.

60. Handler

It is a variant name for ‘Hendler,’ which is an occupational name for a ‘merchant’ or a ‘trader’ in Middle High German.

61. Hannen

This name is derived from the feminine Biblical name ‘Hanna,’ which comes from the Hebrew name ‘Hannah’ meaning ‘favorable one’ or the ‘graceful one.’

62. Hardt

It is a toponymic name referring to someone who lived in the woods. Another reference could be the German word ‘hart,’ which means ‘hard’ or ‘strong.’

63. Hardwick

It combines two Old German words, namely ‘hard’ meaning ‘strong’ and ‘wic’ meaning ‘battle.’

64. Harling

It originates from the Old High German word ‘herling’ meaning ‘sour.’ The name could have been a nickname for an immature person. ‘Harling’ could also be a toponymic surname referring to people who originally came from any of the several places with similar sounding names in Germany.

65. Hasselbach

It is a toponymic name for someone from any of the many places named Hasselbach in Germany.

66. Haubert

It is a variant of ‘Hubert,’ which comes from Old German and means ‘bright-hearted’ or ‘bright-spirited.’

67. Heffner

It is a variant of ‘Hafner,’ which is an occupational name for a potter. The surname comes from the Middle High German word ‘hafen,’ which means an ‘earthen pot.’

68. Heinrich

It is derived from the name ‘Heimirich,’ which means ‘home ruler’ or ‘ruler of the household.’

69. Henke

It is a short form of the name ‘Heinrich’ and also means ‘home-ruler.’

70. Herber

It is a variant of ‘Herbert,’ which means ‘shining army’ or ‘bright army’ in Old German.

71. Hertz

It comes from the Middle High German word ‘herze’ meaning ‘heart.’ The name originally referred to someone who is a kind-hearted person.

72. Hiegel

It is derived from the German name ‘Hugo,’ which means ‘bright soul’ or ‘bright-hearted.’

protip_icon Did you know?
Another common German surname is Schmid. It is an occupational surname that refers to ‘a smith’ or ‘a blacksmith.’ Variants of the name include Schmidt and Schmitt that are popular in Switzerland as well.

73. Horch

It comes from the Middle High German word ‘hor,’ which means ‘mud.’ It’s a toponymic name for people who live by swampy land.

74. Hoss

It’s a variant name for ‘Hess,’ which denotes people from the state of Hesse in Germany.

75. Hummel

It is derived from the name ‘Humbert,’ which is composed of the Old German words ‘hun’ meaning warrior and ‘beraht’ meaning bright. The name thus refers to a ‘bright warrior.’

76. Hurst

This toponymic German surname comes from the Middle High German word ‘hurst’ meaning ‘woodland.’

77. Ingman

It is a spelling variant of ‘Engmann,’ where ‘eng’ in German means ‘narrow.’ The toponymic name refers to a person who lives in a narrow place like a valley.

78. Iselin

It is a variant name of ‘Eisele,’ which is derived from Middle High German and is a nickname for a blacksmith or someone who deals with iron.

79. Jachim

It is a variant of ‘Joachim,’ which comes from the Hebrew name ‘Yoyakim.’ Yoyakim means ‘raised by god’ or ‘god’s judgment.’

80. Jacobsohn

It is derived from the personal name ‘Jacob,’ which ultimately traces its roots to Hebrew where it either means ‘supplanter’ or ‘god-protected.’

81. Jager

Jager means hunter in German

Image: IStock

It is a variant name of ‘Jaeger’, and means ‘hunter’ in German.

82. Jandt

It is a variant of ‘Jan’ that comes from ‘Jane,’ the feminine form of the name ‘John.’ The name ‘John’ comes from Hebrew and means ‘god is gracious.’

83. Jenner

It is derived from the German word ‘Jänner,’ which refers to January. The bearer of this name could be someone born or baptized in this month.

84. Jonke

It is a variant of the Middle High German word ‘junc,’ which is used as a nickname for someone young. Another origin could be the name ‘John,’ which means ‘god is gracious’ in Hebrew.

85. Juedes

It is derived from the name ‘Jutes,’ which denotes a Germanic tribe from Denmark.

86. Kafer

It is the German word for ‘beetle.’ It could also have been derived from the Low German word ‘kufe’ meaning ‘hut.’ The name thus would have denoted someone living in a hut.

87. Kahl

This name is derived from the German word ‘kal,’ which means ‘bald.’

88. Kalbach

The toponymic name is made from the combination of the German words ‘kalt’ meaning ‘cold’ and ‘bach’ meaning ‘brook’ or a ‘stream.’ The name likely refers to someone who lives by a cold stream.

89. Kant

It comes from the German word ‘kante’ meaning ‘edge’ or ‘corner.’ The name refers to someone who lives at the edge or a corner of a region or town.

90. Kaplan

It means a ‘chaplain’ in German and thus refers to someone who is a clergyman.

91. Katz

It is a variant of ‘katze,’ which means cat in German. The surname likely denotes people who have the attributes of a cat-like light-footedness or independence.

92. Kaufmann

It is an occupational name for a ‘merchant,’ ‘trader’ or a ‘businessman.’

93. Kegel

The word kegel refers to the game of ‘skittles.’ The name denotes someone who is a player of the game.

94. Kehr

It is derived from the Middle High German word ‘kere’ meaning ‘bend’ or a ‘corner.’ It denotes a person living by the corner or bend of a road.

95. Kemper

It is a status name for peasant farmers.

96. Kien

It is derived from the German word ‘kuhn’ that means ‘bold’ or ‘brave.’

97. Kimmel

This name is derived from the German name ‘Kümmel,’ which refers to the caraway plant. IThe occupational name refers to a producer or supplier of caraway seeds.

98. Klamm

Klamm, in German, means ‘ravine,’ ‘gorge,’ or a ‘pass’ and thus is a toponymic name for someone living by a gorge.

99. Klauss

It is a variant of ‘Klaus,’ which is the German version of the name Nicholas that means ‘victory of people’ in Greek.

100. Kuehler

It is derived from the Middle High German word ‘Kule,’ which means a ‘quarry.’ It is a toponymic surname for one who lives by a quarry.

101. Kupper

It is a variant of ‘Küper’ or ‘Küfer,’ which is an occupational name for ‘cooper.’

102. Lachmann

It is a combination of the Middle High German words ‘lache’ meaning a ‘lake’ or a ‘pond’ and ‘mann’ meaning a ‘man.’ It is a toponymic surname referring to someone who lived by the side of a lake or water body.

103. Landt

It comes from the Middle High German word ‘landt,’ which means ‘land.’ It probably began as an epithet for someone who was ‘famous throughout the land.’

104. Last

This German word means ‘load’ or ‘burden’ and is an occupational name for a ‘porter.’

105. Lauer

It is derived from the Middle High German word ‘lower,’ which is an occupational name for a tanner.

106. Lehr

It comes from the Old High German word ‘loh,’ which means a ‘meadow,’ ‘marshy land,’ or ‘a clearing.’ It’s a toponymic surname for someone who lives in any of these places.

107. Lemberg

It is a toponymic name for someone from the place called Lemberg in Germany.

108. Lichtenberg

It is a toponymic name for someone from any of the several places called Lichtenberg in Germany. In German, ‘licht’ means ‘light,’ and ‘berg,’ means ‘mountain.’

109. Liebe

This name is derived from the Middle High German word ‘liep,’ which means ‘dear’ or ‘beloved.’

110. Lillich

It comes from the Middle High German word ‘lilje’ meaning a ‘lily.’ It is a toponymic name for someone who came from a house named after the flower lily.

111. Linde

It is the German word for lime or a lime tree. It is a toponymic German surname for someone who lives by a lime tree.

112. Lindt

It is derived from the name of the Linden tree. Another origin could be the Middle High German word ‘lind,’ which means ‘gentle’ or ‘kind-hearted.’

113. Lochmann

The German word ‘loch’ means ‘hollow,’ and the name denotes someone who lived by a valley.

114. Loder

It comes from the Middle High German word ‘loadere,’ which is an occupational name for a weaver of woolen cloth.

115. Lux

It is a variant of the Middle High German name ‘luhs,’ which denotes a person with keen sight. Another origin could be the name ‘Lucas,’ which comes from Latin and means ‘the one who brings light.’

116. Mahler

It is a variant of the word ‘Maler,’ which means ‘painter’ in German. ‘Mahler’ is an occupational surname for a painter.

117. Majer

It is a variant of Macher, which is a toponymic name for someone from the place called Machern in Germany.

118. Mandel

Mandel means ‘almond’ and is a toponymic surname for someone living by an almond tree or an occupational name for the trader of almonds.

119. Margraf

It is a variant of ‘Markgraf’ that comes from Middle High German word ‘margrave.’ It is a combination of the words ‘marc’ meaning ‘boundary’ and ‘grave’ meaning ‘royal judge.’

120. Mauer

It is a variant of ‘Maurer,’ which refers to a ‘mason,’ ‘wall-builder,’ or a ‘brick-layer.’

121. Nacht

It is the German word for ‘night’ and probably an occupational name for a night watchman.

122. Naser

It is derived from the Middle High German word ‘neser,’ which refers to a ‘shoulder bag for food.’ The name is also a likely nickname for someone who is a connoisseur of food.

123. Neider

It is a toponymic name for someone from the place called Neida in Germany.

124. Nestel

It is an occupational name for someone who makes ‘cords,’ ‘strings,’ ‘shoestrings’ or ‘ribbons.’

125. Neuer

The root word ‘Neu’ means ‘new’ in German, and the surname denotes a newcomer in a particular area.

126. Nevel

Navel means fog

Image: IStock

It is a variant of the German word ‘nebel,’ which means ‘mist,’ ‘fog’ or ‘haze.’ It is likely a toponymic surname for someone from the colder regions of Germany.

127. Nida

It is a toponymic name for someone from the town called Nidda in Germany.

128. Nipp

It is derived from the Middle High German word ‘nip’ meaning ‘keen eyesight and hearing.’ This surname likely originated as a nickname for a person who is sharp and alert.

129. Nix

It comes from the Middle High German word ‘nixe,’ which means ‘water sprite’ – a term used to refer to a spirit associated with water.

130. Norder

It is a toponymic name for someone from the place called Norden in Germany. Another origin could be the German word ‘norden,’ which means ‘north’ in German. It may refer to someone who lived in the northern part of a region.

131. Oberhaus

It is a toponymic surname for someone from the place called Oberhausen.

132. Obermann

It is the combination of the German words ‘ober’ meaning ‘upper’ and ‘mann’ meaning ‘man.’ It could be a toponymic surname for someone who lived in the upper region of a town or city. This German surname is also a status name for an arbitrator.

133. Ockert

It is a toponymic surname for those who lived along the Oker river in Germany.

134. Odenwald

It is a toponymic name for someone who hailed from any of the places along the Odenwald mountain range.

135. Offen

It is related to ‘ofen,’ the German word for an ‘oven.’ The surname ‘offen’ is an occupational name for a baker.

136. Osen

It is a toponymic surname for someone who lives along the river Oese in Germany.

137. Ostermeyer

It is the combination of two Middle High German words ‘oster’ meaning ‘eastern’ and ‘meyer’ meaning ‘farmer.’ The surname thus means ‘eastern farmer’ and referred to farmers or peasants who worked in the eastern part of a region.

138. Ostwald

It is the German variant of the name ‘Oswald,’ which comes from the Old English words ‘os’ meaning ‘god’ and ‘weald’ meaning ‘ruler.’ The surname likely referred to someone who was a powerful ruler or chief.

139. Pahl

It comes from the Middle Low German word ‘pal’ meaning a ‘pile’ or a ‘post.’ It is an occupational name for a pile driver – someone who drives poles into the ground to build a foundation. The name could also be the German variant of ‘Paul,’ which in Latin means ‘humble.’

140. Palmer

It comes from the German word ‘palme,’ referring to any of the several palm and willow trees. ‘Palmer’ is a toponymic surname for someone who lived by a plantation or forest of willow and palm trees.

141. Payer

It is a variant of the name ‘Bayer,’ the toponymic name for someone from the state of Bavaria, which is called ‘Bayern’ in German.

142. Peifer

It is a variant of the name ‘Pfeiffer,’ which is an occupational name for a pipe player since Pfeife means ‘whistle’ or ‘pipe’ in German.

143. Perleberg

It is a toponymic name for someone from the place called Perleberg in Germany.

144. Pflug

It is the German word for a ‘plow’ and is an occupational name for a plowman – a peasant or a farmer.

145. Picker

It is an occupational name for someone who uses the tool ‘pickaxe.’

146. Piltz

It is a variant of ‘Pilz,’ which means ‘mushroom.’ The name is an occupational one and denotes a gatherer of mushrooms.

147. Printz

The ornamental name is derived from the German word ‘prinz’ that means ‘prince.’

148. Rader

It is a shortened version of the name ‘Rademacher,’ which is the combination of the words ‘rad’ meaning ‘wheel’ and ‘macher’ meaning ‘maker.’ The name is thus an occupational name for a wheelwright, a person who makes or repairs wheels.

149. Rahman

It is a variant of the German name ‘Rahmann’ and derives from the word ‘rade’ meaning a ‘clearing in the forest.’ It is a toponymic surname for someone who resides in a clearing in the forest.

150. Ramp

It is derived from the Middle High German word ‘ramft’ meaning ‘edge’ or ‘wall.’ It is used as a topographic name for someone who lived at the outer edge of a field.

151. Ranger

It is a toponymic surname for someone from any of the several places called Rangen in Germany.

152. Rasner

It is a variant of the name ‘Rosner,’ which is a toponymic surname for someone from any of the places called Rosenau in Germany and other parts of Europe.

153. Rath

It comes from the Middle High German word ‘rat,’ which means ‘counsel’ or ‘advice.’ It is an occupational name for a counselor or an adviser. The surname could also be toponymic referring to someone from any of the several places called Rath in Germany.

154. Redmann

It is composed of the words ‘rad’ meaning ‘counsel’ or ‘advice’ and ‘mann’ meaning ‘man.’

155. Reinhart

It means ‘brave-hearted.’ It is composed of two Old German elements, namely ‘ragin’ meaning ‘counsel’ and ‘hardt’ meaning ‘brave.’

156. Remlinger

It is a toponymic name for someone from the place called Remlingen in Germany.

157. Reuter

It comes from the Middle High German word ‘riute’ meaning ‘cleared land.’ Another origin could be the Middle High German word ‘riutoere’ that could refer to a ‘highwayman,’ ‘a mounted soldier,’ and even a ‘thief.’

158. Rink

It comes from the Middle High German word ‘rinke,’ which means a ‘buckle.’ It is an occupational name for someone who makes buckles or clasps.

159. Rinner

It comes from the German word ‘rinne,’ which refers to a ‘groove’ or a ‘channel’ for water. It is a toponymic name for someone who lived by a water channel.

160. Saal

It is the German word for a ‘large room,’ ‘chamber’ or an ‘auditorium.’ It is likely to be an occupational name for someone who works at a manor house.

161. Salzberg

The toponymic surname refers to someone from the place called Salzburg in Germany.

162. Schaffer

It is an occupational name for a steward. The name is derived from the Middle High German word ‘schaffen,’ which means ‘to manage.’

163. Schaeffer

It is a variant of the German word ‘Schäfer,’ which refers to a shepherd.

164. Schlei

It originates from the word ‘Schleie’ that means ‘tench,’ a kind of fish. The name denotes a fisherman.

165. Schoff

The name is derived from the Middle High German word ‘schoup’ meaning a ‘sheaf of grains.’ It makes it an occupational name for a brewer. Another origin could be the Middle High German word ‘scheffe,’ which means a ‘juror.’

166. Schwein

It is an occupational name for a swineherd – a person who rears and tends swine or hogs.

167. Schwing

It comes from the German word ‘swingen,’ which means ‘swing’ or ‘swingle.’ It is an occupational name for an individual who swingles flax – remove fiber from a flax plant using a wooden instrument called swingle.

168. Stueber

It is derived from the Old High German word ‘stuba,’ which means a room. The name is an occupational name for someone who owns a tavern, inn, or a ‘room’ that works as a resting spot for travelers.

169. Supple

It is an occupational name for a cook. The name comes from the Middle High German word ‘suppe,’ which means ‘soup’ or ‘broth.’

170. Tannenbaum

It is the German word for a ‘pine tree’ or a ‘fir tree.’ The toponymic name refers to someone who lives by a pine or fir tree.

171. Tinsman

It is a combination of two Middle Low German words ‘tins’ meaning ‘tax’ and ‘man’ meaning ‘man.’ The name either denotes a taxpayer or a taxman who collects taxes.

172. Trapp

It is derived from the word ‘treppe,’ which means ‘steps’ in German. It is likely a toponymic surname for someone living by a terrain with a step-like feature.

173. Tripp

It comes from the Old German word ‘trippe’ that refers to wooden pattens or clogs, which are a type of wooden footwear. The occupational surname refers to someone who makes pattens.

174. Trump

It comes from the Middle High German word ‘trumpe’ meaning a ‘drum’ and refers to someone who works as a drummer.

175. Ufer

Sea shore, German last names

Image: IStock

The origin of the name lies in the Middle High German word ‘uover’ that refers to the ‘bank of a river or lake’ or ‘shore of a sea.’

176. Uffelman

It is a toponymic name for someone from any of the several places named Uffeln in Germany.

177. Uhlhorn

It is a toponymic name for someone from the place called Uhlhorn near the Hunte river in Germany.

178. Ulrich

The name is derived from the Old German name ‘Odalric,’ which means ‘prosperity and power.’

179. Umholtz

The name is related to the word ‘unholz’ that refers to waste wood or unwanted wood left after making wooden furniture. ‘Umholtz’ is an occupational name for a carpenter.

180. Vasel

It comes from the Middle High German word ‘vasel,’ which refers to a ‘brood’ or ‘several offspring.’ It may have referred to someone who had or came from a large family.

181. Viel

It comes from the Old German word ‘vil’ that means a ‘swamp’ or a ‘bog.’ It is a toponymic name for someone living by a swampy area.

182. Voelker

It is derived from the name ‘Volker.’ The name is a combination of the German words ‘folk’ meaning ‘people’ and ‘heer’ meaning ‘army.’ The name denotes someone who was a ‘people’s guardian.’

183. Vogel

The German word ‘vogel’ means ‘bird.’ It is either an occupational name for a birdwatcher or a nickname for a jovial and chirpy person.

184. Von Berg

The German phrase translates to ‘from the mountain.’ It is a toponymic name for a person who belonged to a mountainous region.

185. Von Glahn

It is a toponymic name for people from a place called Glahn near Hannover, Germany.

186. Vorbeck

It is a toponymic name for someone from a place called Vorbeck in Northern Germany.

187. Wack

It is a toponymic name for someone from a place called Wacken in Germany. Another origin could be the Middle High German word ‘wac’ meaning a ‘pool,’ ‘pond’ or ‘standing water.’ It could be a toponymic name of someone who lived by a pond or a marsh.

188. Wagler

It is a variant of the Middle High German word ‘wagener,’ which means a wagon maker.

189. Walberg

It is a toponymic name for someone from any of the places around the mountain named Wallberg in Germany. The name could also be the variant of ‘Wahlberg,’ which means a ‘hill with a meadow’ in Middle High German.

190. Wall

It is a toponymic name for someone who lived by a defensive wall or any other fortification.

191. Weidig

The toponymic name refers to someone from a place named Weidich in the Silesia region of Europe.

192. Wein

It is the German word for ‘wine’ and refers to a wine merchant or wine producer.

193. Wirth

It is derived from the German word ‘wirt,’ which means ‘host’ or ‘landlord.’ The name is an occupational name for an innkeeper.

194. Wurst

The occupational name means ‘sausage’ and probably refers to a butcher or someone who specializes in producing sausages.

195. Xander

It is the short form of the name ‘Alexander,’ which comes from the Greek name ‘Alexandros’ meaning ‘defender of mankind.’

196. Zaring

The toponymic name was given to someone from the place called Zehring in Germany.

197. Zastrow

It is a toponymic name for someone from a place called Zastrow that lied in the historical region of Pomerania of Germany and Poland.

198. Zeiger

It is the German word for ‘sign,’ ‘pointer’ or an ‘indicator.’ It is an occupational name for a sign-maker.

199. Zeller

It is a toponymic surname referring to someone who belonged to the town called Celle in Germany.

200. Zimmermann

It is the German occupational name for a carpenter.

Discover More Names

When you have to choose a name for your baby, a few hundreds of names may not be just enough. Keep digging our mine of baby names until you find that one precious gem.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do German last names work?

Germans usually have a first and last name. However, some individuals might have two personal names. The last names or surnames represent the family. They may also represent the profession of a person or the characteristics of a person.

2. Do German women take their husbands’ last names?

German women may take their husbands’ surnames after marriage. Most married women have their husband’s family name as their last name (1). However, it is not mandatory, and a wife may wish to continue with her maiden surname after the wedding.

3. What are double German surnames?

Double German surnames, also known as compound surnames or composite surnames, consist of two separate words or components, often connected by a hyphen. These surnames are typically created by combining two family names after marriage, such as the husband’s surname and the wife’s maiden surname.

4. How do German last names end?

German last names can end with a variety of suffixes such as -er, -mann, -hauer, -macher, -l, -el, -erl, -le, and -li, among others, reflecting occupations, geographical features, or ancestral origins.

5. Why did Germans change their last names?

Germans may have changed their last names due to various reasons, including societal, cultural, or historical factors such as migration, assimilation, marriage, legal requirements, or personal preferences, leading to changes in surnames over time.

6. How are German last names structured?

German last names are typically structured with a given name followed by a family name. In some cases, German last names may also include additional components or suffixes indicating occupation, geographical origin, or other familial associations.

7. How do I trace my German last name ancestry?

To trace your German last name ancestry, start by gathering information from family records, documents, and your parents and grandparents. Utilize online genealogy databases, historical archives, and resources specific to German genealogy, such as church records and immigration records, to piece together your family history and trace the origins and lineage associated with your German last name.

8. What is the cultural and historical significance of German last names?

German last names often reflect the cultural practices and historical changes over the years. Thus, understanding the importance and meaning of these surnames can give you knowledge of the societal roles and traditions of the German people. These surnames are generally derived from occupations, geographical features, and other characteristics that reflect the traditions of the German-speaking regions.

9. How do German surnames reflect regional diversity?

Many German surnames are toponymic surnames derived from the names of different places across Germany and depict the origin of that particular family from that region. Some German surnames are also derived from the geographic features of a place.

If you wish to know about Germany and its culture, start with the people and their names. This compilation of popular and common German last names contains a unique and diverse set of names. Although today the Germans are spread throughout the world, their surnames provide an insight into their ancestral origin and occupational history. With this list of German last names, you can now learn more about the country’s diversity and history through its people.

Infographic: Common German Surnames

German surnames are derived from words and phrases of various cultures, civilizations, and occupations in the country. Check out this infographic for some of the common surnames in Germany and their meanings.

common german surnames for babies (Infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Key Pointers

  • German surnames have evolved with the country’s political and geographical changes.
  • Many names originate from professions and native places.
  • German surnames also reflect diverse professions and cultural traditions. Mahler, Mauer, Offen, and Peifer are a few examples.
  • Aber, Adelberg, Eben, and Lemberg are some German surnames derived from prominent geographical locations.

Illustration: Top German Last Names Or Surnames With Meanings

German last names_illustration

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team


German last names have a variety of interesting meanings. This video breakdown the meanings of common and famous last names in this language so you can gain a better understanding.

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Marie-France Valeta; The surname of married women in the European Union.
    https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?rep=rep1&type=pdf&doi=10.1.1.218.5543
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Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood.

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Srija holds an MA in English Literature from the University of Calcutta and a PG Diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her interest in editing ranges across niches, including academics, human psychology, and child development.

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Praven is an English literature expert. He did his bachelors in English from Delhi University and masters in English from Manipur University. Besides, he holds a certificate in multimedia design and content creation from NIELIT Imphal and presented papers at various national and international conferences.

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