German surnames hold significant sway in various communities worldwide, both Christian and Jewish. The influence of Germanic languages on English has made these surnames common in English-speaking countries. Unlike many French or Italian names that often point to geographic origins, most German last names stem from professions or notable traits. Many of these names have made appearances in Hollywood and literature, so you might already recognize a few. Here’s a list of some popular German surnames along with their meanings—Guten tag!
- Müller – Refers to a miller.
- Weber – An occupational name for a weaver.
- Brandt – Means burn or burnt.
- König – Translates to king.
- Schäfer/Schaefer – Signifies shepherd.
- Lang/Lange/Long – Describes a very tall individual.
- Kraus – Means curly-haired.
- Amsel/Amsler – Refers to a blackbird.
- Schulz – Means sheriff, magistrate, or village overseer.
- Richter – Translates to lord.
- Fischer – Means fisherman.
- Pfeiffer – An occupational name for a piper.
- Schreiber – Refers to a scribe or writer.
- Braun – The color brown, likely indicating someone with dark hair.
- Koch – An occupational name for a cook.
- Schmidt – Refers to a blacksmith or metalworker.
- Mayer/Meyer – Means higher or superior; an occupational name for a mayor.
- Meier – Refers to a farmer or harvester.
- Krüger/Kruger/Krueger – Means tavern keeper.
- Ludwig – Signifies a famous or renowned warrior.
- Arnold/Arnoldt/Arnhold – Means eagle power or eagle rule, derived from Old German elements ‘arn’ (eagle) and ‘walt’ (power/rule).
- Zimmermann – Refers to a carpenter.
- Roth – Means red-haired.
- Schwarz – Translates to black.
- Köhler/Koehler – Refers to a charcoal burner.
- Wagner – Means wagon maker or driver.
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In summary, German surnames are deeply rooted in history and culture, often reflecting professions or physical traits. They add a unique flavor to the tapestry of names we encounter in everyday life.