Amish Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Origins and Meanings

Amish last names are a fascinating window into the history and culture of this unique community. Often passed down through generations, these names carry deep meanings and reflect the values and beliefs of the Amish people. Explore the origins and significance behind these traditional surnames, from their biblical roots to their everyday usage.
1. **Amsler:** From the German word "Amsel," meaning "blackbird." This name likely originated as a nickname for someone with dark hair or who lived near a place with many blackbirds.
2. **Beiler:** A topographic name derived from the German word "Beil," meaning "ax." It likely referred to someone who lived near a place where axes were used, such as a woodcutter's yard.
3. **Bender:** A German occupational name for someone who bent or worked with metal, like a blacksmith or tinsmith.
4. **Berkey:** A German surname meaning "birch tree." It may have been a topographic name for someone who lived near a birch tree or a personal name derived from a distinctive feature of the individual.
5. **Bontrager:** A Dutch name meaning "bridge keeper." It likely originated as an occupational name for someone who maintained a bridge.
6. **Burkholder:** A German occupational name for someone who held a position of authority, such as a "burg holder" or "castle keeper."
7. **Byler:** Similar to "Beiler," it's a topographic name derived from the German word "Beil," meaning "ax."
8. **Chestnut:** An English surname derived from the chestnut tree, likely given to someone who lived near a chestnut grove or worked with chestnut wood.
9. **Cline:** A topographic name derived from the Middle English word "cline," meaning "hill" or "slope." It likely referred to someone who lived on a hill.
10. **Coblentz:** A German surname meaning "cobblestone." It might have been a topographic name for someone who lived near cobblestone streets or a nickname for someone with cobblestone-colored hair.
11. **Combs:** An English occupational name for someone who made or sold combs.
12. **Detweiler:** A German surname meaning "devil's mill." It's a place name referring to a mill near a place called "Devil's Mill."
13. **Eicher:** A German occupational name for someone who worked as an "eicher," a surveyor or land measurer.
14. **Fisher:** An English occupational name for someone who fished for a living.
15. **Glick:** A German surname meaning "lucky" or "happy." It could have been a nickname for someone who was considered fortunate or had a cheerful disposition.
16. **Good:** An English surname meaning "good" or "virtuous." It likely originated as a nickname for someone considered to have good moral character.
17. **Graber:** A German occupational name for someone who worked as a "graber," a grave digger.
18. **Hershberger:** A German surname derived from the place name "Hersberg," which means "mountain of deer."
19. **Hochstetler:** A German surname meaning "high stable." It likely refers to someone who lived near a high stable or who owned a stable situated on high ground.
20. **Hostetler:** Similar to "Hochstetler," it's a German surname meaning "high stable."
21. **Kauffman:** A German occupational name for someone who worked as a "kaufmann," a merchant or buyer.
22. **King:** An English surname meaning "ruler." It could have been given to someone who held a position of authority or to someone who was considered a leader.
23. **Kline:** Similar to "Cline," it's a topographic name derived from the Middle English word "cline," meaning "hill" or "slope."
24. **Knepp:** A German surname meaning "small hill." It's likely a topographic name for someone who lived near a small hill.
25. **Kraybill:** A German surname meaning "crow's hill." It's likely a topographic name for someone who lived near a hill where crows congregated.
26. **Lehman:** A German surname meaning "land owner." It could have been a topographic name for someone who owned a large plot of land or an occupational name for someone who managed land.
27. **Miller:** An English occupational name for someone who worked as a miller, operating a grain mill.
28. **Mullett:** An English surname meaning "miller." It could have been a variant of "Miller" or an occupational name for someone who worked as a miller.
29. **Nolt:** A German surname meaning "small valley." It's likely a topographic name for someone who lived in a small valley.
30. **Peachey:** An English surname derived from the name "Peach," which refers to the fruit. It likely originated as a nickname for someone who grew peaches or was associated with them in some way.
31. **Reber:** A German surname meaning "reeds." It's likely a topographic name for someone who lived near a reed-filled area, such as a marsh or riverbank.
32. **Riegsecker:** A German surname meaning "rye" or "rye field." It likely referred to someone who grew rye or lived near a rye field.
33. **Roth:** A German surname meaning "red." It could have been a nickname for someone with red hair or someone who wore red clothing.
34. **Schrock:** A German surname meaning "rocky" or "rocky area." It's likely a topographic name for someone who lived in a rocky area.
35. **Shrock:** A variant of "Schrock," meaning "rocky" or "rocky area."
36. **Stoltzfus:** A German surname meaning "proud." It could have been a nickname for someone who was considered proud or confident.
37. **Stoltzfoos:** A variant of "Stoltzfus," meaning "proud."
38. **Troyer:** A German surname meaning "trough." It's likely a topographic name for someone who lived near a trough or a nickname for someone who worked with troughs.
39. **Yoder:** A German surname meaning "boundary." It could have been a topographic name for someone who lived near a boundary line or an occupational name for someone who worked as a surveyor or land marker.
40. **Zimmerman:** A German occupational name for someone who worked as a "zimmermann," a carpenter or woodworker.