Jewish Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide to Meanings and Origins

Looking for the meaning behind a Jewish last name? You've come to the right place! This comprehensive guide explores the fascinating origins and meanings of a wide range of Jewish surnames. From traditional Hebrew roots to unique adaptations based on location or profession, discover the stories behind these names that have been passed down through generations.
1. **Abelow:** "from below," indicating a person who lived near a lower elevation.
2. **Abrahams:** "Abraham's son," referencing the patriarch of the Jewish faith.
3. **Adler:** "eagle," symbolizing strength and nobility.
4. **Agron:** "vineyard," reflecting agricultural heritage.
5. **Aharon:** "mountain of strength," derived from the name of Aaron, Moses' brother.
6. **Aisenberg:** "iron mountain," combining "iron" for strength and "mountain" for resilience.
7. **Alexander:** "defender of mankind," a popular name throughout history.
8. **Alpert:** "noble guard," combining "noble" for distinction and "guard" for protection.
9. **Altman:** "old man," a title of respect for an elder.
10. **Amir:** "prince," signifying leadership and authority.
11. **Anbinder:** "binding" or "connecting," suggesting a profession related to weaving or binding.
12. **Appelbaum:** "apple tree," symbolizing prosperity and abundance.
13. **Aronson:** "son of Aaron," referencing Aaron, Moses' brother.
14. **Asher:** "happy," expressing joy and contentment.
15. **Avigdor:** "my father is strong," highlighting the importance of paternal strength.
16. **Bach:** "stream," representing flowing water and life.
17. **Baer:** "bear," signifying strength and power.
18. **Bar-Lev:** "son of the heart," emphasizing love and affection.
19. **Barash:** "hail," referencing a form of precipitation.
20. **Baruch:** "blessed," expressing gratitude and divine favor.
21. **Basch:** "forest," signifying nature and abundance.
22. **Baum:** "tree," symbolizing growth and stability.
23. **Beck:** "brook," representing a small stream of water.
24. **Belkin:** "little belt," perhaps referencing a tailor or artisan.
25. **Ben-David:** "son of David," referencing the legendary King David.
26. **Ben-Dov:** "son of the bear," highlighting strength and resilience.
27. **Ben-Zvi:** "son of the animal," indicating a profession related to animal husbandry.
28. **Berger:** "mountain," symbolizing strength and resilience.
29. **Berkowitz:** "son of Cohen," referencing the priestly lineage.
30. **Berman:** "man of the mountain," combining "man" for humanity and "mountain" for strength.
31. **Bernstein:** "amber stone," representing beauty and warmth.
32. **Bialik:** "white," symbolizing purity and innocence.
33. **Birnbaum:** "pear tree," suggesting prosperity and abundance.
34. **Blatt:** "leaf," symbolizing growth and renewal.
35. **Blumenthal:** "flower valley," representing beauty and abundance.
36. **Bogner:** "prayer," referencing religious devotion.
37. **Borochov:** "creator," signifying creativity and innovation.
38. **Broder:** "brother," emphasizing family ties and unity.
39. **Brody:** "brotherhood," highlighting shared ancestry and community.
40. **Brown:** "brown," referencing the color brown.
41. **Buchwald:** "book forest," combining "book" for knowledge and "forest" for abundance.
42. **Cohen:** "priest," referencing the priestly lineage.
43. **Cohn:** "son of Cohen," referencing the priestly lineage.
44. **David:** "beloved," a name synonymous with love and devotion.
45. **Davis:** "son of David," referencing the legendary King David.
46. **Deutch:** "German," indicating German origin.
47. **Diamond:** "diamond," symbolizing strength and brilliance.
48. **Dichter:** "poet," signifying artistic talent and expression.
49. **Edelman:** "noble man," combining "noble" for distinction and "man" for humanity.
50. **Eisenberg:** "iron mountain," combining "iron" for strength and "mountain" for resilience.
51. **Einhorn:** "unicorn," representing purity and grace.
52. **Eisenstein:** "iron stone," combining "iron" for strength and "stone" for stability.
53. **Epstein:** "closest," suggesting a person who lived near a particular location.
54. **Erlanger:** "alder tree," representing strength and longevity.
55. **Fagen:** "bird," representing freedom and flight.
56. **Farkas:** "wolf," signifying strength and resilience.
57. **Feldman:** "field man," indicating a person who worked the fields.
58. **Finkelstein:** "son of the flint stone," highlighting strength and resilience.
59. **Fischer:** "fisherman," reflecting a profession related to fishing.
60. **Fleischer:** "butcher," reflecting a profession related to butchering.
61. **Fox:** "fox," symbolizing intelligence and cunning.
62. **Frank:** "free," expressing liberty and independence.
63. **Freedman:** "freed man," referencing liberation from oppression.
64. **Friedman:** "peaceful man," combining "peaceful" for tranquility and "man" for humanity.
65. **Fromm:** "pious," expressing devotion and righteousness.
66. **Gabai:** "gatherer," suggesting a profession related to collecting or gathering.
67. **Gans:** "goose," referencing a type of waterfowl.
68. **Garber:** "garden," representing beauty and abundance.
69. **Gelb:** "yellow," referencing the color yellow.
70. **Geller:** "stone," symbolizing strength and stability.
71. **Gerstein:** "stone," symbolizing strength and stability.
72. **Ginsberg:** "mountain of gardens," combining "mountain" for strength and "garden" for abundance.
73. **Goldberg:** "golden mountain," combining "golden" for wealth and "mountain" for strength.
74. **Goldenberg:** "golden mountain," combining "golden" for wealth and "mountain" for strength.
75. **Goldman:** "golden man," combining "golden" for wealth and "man" for humanity.
76. **Goldstein:** "golden stone," combining "golden" for wealth and "stone" for stability.
77. **Goodman:** "good man," expressing moral uprightness and kindness.
78. **Gordon:** "hill," symbolizing elevation and achievement.
79. **Greenberg:** "green mountain," combining "green" for growth and "mountain" for strength.
80. **Greenblatt:** "green leaf," combining "green" for growth and "leaf" for renewal.
81. **Grossman:** "large man," highlighting physical stature.
82. **Gruber:** "digger," indicating a profession related to digging or excavating.
83. **Gutman:** "good man," expressing moral uprightness and kindness.
84. **Haber:** "possession," suggesting something owned or held dear.
85. **Halpern:** "half wolf," signifying strength and resilience.
86. **Handler:** "craftsman," suggesting a person who works with their hands.
87. **Harris:** "son of Aaron," referencing Aaron, Moses' brother.
88. **Hartman:** "heart man," highlighting compassion and empathy.
89. **Hausman:** "house man," indicating a person who owns or maintains a house.
90. **Hecht:** "bright," symbolizing intelligence and wisdom.
91. **Heifetz:** "goat," referencing a type of animal.
92. **Herman:** "army man," referencing military service.
93. **Hersh:** "deer," symbolizing grace and gentleness.
94. **Hertz:** "heart," emphasizing love and compassion.
95. **Hoffman:** "hope man," expressing optimism and faith.
96. **Holzman:** "wood man," indicating a person who works with wood.
97. **Horowitz:** "mountain of hornets," combining "mountain" for strength and "hornets" for resilience.
98. **Hurwitz:** "mountain of white," combining "mountain" for strength and "white" for purity.
99. **Jacobs:** "Jacob's son," referencing the patriarch of the Jewish faith.
100. **Jaffee:** "beautiful," expressing attractiveness and charm.
101. **Janover:** "January," referencing the month of January.
102. **Jaskol:** "candle," symbolizing light and hope.
103. **Kaufman:** "merchant," reflecting a profession related to buying and selling.
104. **Kessler:** "small kettle," perhaps referencing a profession related to cooking.
105. **Kievman:** "man of Kiev," indicating origin from Kiev, Ukraine.
106. **Klein:** "small," indicating a person of small stature.
107. **Kline:** "small," indicating a person of small stature.
108. **Kohn:** "son of Cohen," referencing the priestly lineage.
109. **Kramer:** "merchant," reflecting a profession related to buying and selling.
110. **Kravitz:** "tailor," reflecting a profession related to tailoring.
111. **Krone:** "crown," symbolizing royalty and achievement.
112. **Kushner:** "furrier," reflecting a profession related to working with fur.
113. **Langer:** "long," indicating a person of tall stature.
114. **Lapidus:** "lapis lazuli," representing a precious blue stone.
115. **Lazar:** "God is my help," expressing reliance on divine assistance.
116. **Leibowitz:** "lion heart," combining "lion" for strength and "heart" for courage.
117. **Leifer:** "lion," signifying strength and power.
118. **Levin:** "son of the lion," highlighting strength and resilience.
119. **Levi:** "attached," indicating a person who is connected to something.
120. **Levitan:** "levite," referencing a member of the Levite tribe.
121. **Lichtenstein:** "light stone," combining "light" for knowledge and "stone" for stability.
122. **Lieberman:** "son of the farmer," reflecting a connection to agriculture.
123. **Lindenbaum:** "lime tree," representing beauty and resilience.
124. **Lipshitz:** "lip," perhaps referencing a profession related to speaking or writing.
125. **Litvak:** "Lithuanian," indicating origin from Lithuania.
126. **Loman:** "man of the woods," indicating a person who lives in the forest.
127. **Luria:** "lion," signifying strength and power.
128. **Lustig:** "joyful," expressing happiness and contentment.
129. **Magid:** "speaker," suggesting a person who is eloquent or persuasive.
130. **Mann:** "man," indicating a person of masculine gender.
131. **Marantz:** "beautiful," expressing attractiveness and charm.
132. **Marcus:** "war-like," referencing military strength.
133. **Margolis:** "pearl," symbolizing beauty and purity.
134. **Mark:** "soldier," referencing military service.
135. **Markson:** "son of Mark," referencing a person associated with military service.
136. **Marshall:** "horseman," reflecting a profession related to horses.
137. **Martin:** "war-like," referencing military strength.
138. **Marx:** "war-like," referencing military strength.
139. **Matthews:** "gift of God," expressing gratitude for divine favor.
140. **Mayer:** "light," symbolizing knowledge and enlightenment.
141. **Mazur:** "inhabitant of Mazovia," indicating origin from Mazovia, Poland.
142. **Melamed:** "teacher," reflecting a profession related to teaching.
143. **Mendel:** "mind," signifying intelligence and intellect.
144. **Mendes:** "son of Mendel," referencing a person associated with intelligence.
145. **Mermelstein:** "stone of the sea," combining "stone" for stability and "sea" for vastness.
146. **Mestel:** "master," signifying leadership and authority.
147. **Meyer:** "light," symbolizing knowledge and enlightenment.
148. **Michel:** "who is like God," expressing faith and devotion.
149. **Miller:** "miller," reflecting a profession related to milling grain.
150. **Mintz:** "mint," referencing a type of herb.
151. **Mirsky:** "man of peace," combining "man" for humanity and "peace" for tranquility.
152. **Modell:** "pattern," suggesting a profession related to design or crafting.
153. **Moline:** "mill," reflecting a profession related to milling grain.
154. **Morgenstern:** "morning star," symbolizing hope and renewal.
155. **Moskowitz:** "son of Moses," referencing the prophet Moses.
156. **Mostow:** "bridge," representing connection and transition.
157. **Nathan:** "gift of God," expressing gratitude for divine favor.
158. **Neiman:** "man of the forest," indicating a person who lives in the forest.
159. **Nirenberg:** "man of the mountain," combining "man" for humanity and "mountain" for strength.
160. **Novak:** "new," expressing innovation and renewal.
161. **Oppenheimer:** "open field," representing opportunity and growth.
162. **Orbach:** "tree," symbolizing growth and stability.
163. **Orenstein:** "lion stone," combining "lion" for strength and "stone" for stability.
164. **Ostrov:** "island," symbolizing independence and seclusion.
165. **Paley:** "pale," referencing the color pale.
166. **Pasternak:** "parsnip," referencing a type of vegetable.
167. **Pearlman:** "pearl man," combining "pearl" for beauty and "man" for humanity.
168. **Perlmutter:** "pearl," symbolizing beauty and purity.
169. **Pinsky:** "pin," suggesting a profession related to sewing or tailoring.
170. **Pollack:** "Polish," indicating Polish origin.
171. **Portnoy:** "porter," reflecting a profession related to carrying goods.
172. **Rabin:** "my rabbi," referencing a Jewish religious leader.
173. **Rabinowitz:** "son of the rabbi," referencing a person associated with Jewish religious leadership.
174. **Raskin:** "skin," suggesting a profession related to leatherworking.
175. **Ratner:** "rat," referencing a type of rodent.
176. **Ravitch:** "doctor," reflecting a profession related to medicine.
177. **Reich:** "rich," expressing wealth and prosperity.
178. **Reiner:** "pure," symbolizing innocence and virtue.
179. **Reisman:** "man of the rain," combining "man" for humanity and "rain" for sustenance.
180. **Ressler:** "rider," reflecting a profession related to riding horses.
181. **Richman:** "rich man," combining "rich" for wealth and "man" for humanity.
182. **Riemer:** "rower," reflecting a profession related to rowing boats.
183. **Ritter:** "knight," representing courage and chivalry.
184. **Robbins:** "son of Robin," referencing a type of bird.
185. **Roberts:** "son of Robert," referencing a name of English origin.
186. **Rosen:** "rose," representing beauty and love.
187. **Rosenbaum:** "rose tree," symbolizing beauty and abundance.
188. **Rosenberg:** "rose mountain," combining "rose" for beauty and "mountain" for strength.
189. **Rosenblatt:** "rose leaf," combining "rose" for beauty and "leaf" for renewal.
190. **Rosenthal:** "rose valley," representing beauty and abundance.
191. **Ross:** "horse," symbolizing strength and power.
192. **Roth:** "red," referencing the color red.
193. **Rothschild:** "red shield," combining "red" for courage and "shield" for protection.
194. **Rubin:** "ruby," representing beauty and passion.
195. **Rubinstein:** "stone of ruby," combining "stone" for stability and "ruby" for passion.
196. **Rudman:** "red man," combining "red" for courage and "man" for humanity.
197. **Ruderman:** "rower," reflecting a profession related to rowing boats.
198. **Safir:** "sapphire," representing beauty and wisdom.
199. **Salkin:** "salt," referencing a mineral found in nature.
200. **Salomon:** "peace," expressing tranquility and harmony.
201. **Salzman:** "salt man," combining "salt" for sustenance and "man" for humanity.
202. **Sander:** "defender," representing protection and security.
203. **Sanger:** "singer," reflecting a profession related to singing.
204. **Sarnoff:** "son of Aaron," referencing Aaron, Moses' brother.
205. **Saslow:** "sweet," expressing delight and pleasure.
206. **Saul:** "asked of God," expressing reliance on divine guidance.
207. **Schachter:** "treasure," symbolizing wealth and value.
208. **Schiff:** "ship," symbolizing exploration and adventure.
209. **Schindler:** "tailor," reflecting a profession related to tailoring.
210. **Schlesinger:** "singer," reflecting a profession related to singing.
211. **Schneider:** "tailor," reflecting a profession related to tailoring.
212. **Schreiber:** "writer," reflecting a profession related to writing.
213. **Schwartz:** "black," referencing the color black.
214. **Schwimmer:** "swimmer," reflecting a profession related to swimming.
215. **Segal:** "second," indicating a person who came after another.
216. **Seinfeld:** "field of wheat," representing prosperity and abundance.
217. **Shapiro:** "handsome," expressing attractiveness and charm.
218. **Sharpe:** "sharp," symbolizing intelligence and precision.
219. **Shavitz:** "shaving," reflecting a profession related to barbering.
220. **Shechter:** "treasure," symbolizing wealth and value.
221. **Sheinbaum:** "beautiful tree," combining "beautiful" for attractiveness and "tree" for stability.
222. **Sherman:** "shepherd," reflecting a profession related to tending sheep.
223. **Shulman:** "debtor," suggesting a person who owed money.
224. **Silberman:** "silver man," combining "silver" for wealth and "man" for humanity.
225. **Silverman:** "silver man," combining "silver" for wealth and "man" for humanity.
226. **Simon:** "hearing," signifying listening and understanding.
227. **Singer:** "singer," reflecting a profession related to singing.
228. **Slater:** "slate," referencing a type of stone.
229. **Smith:** "blacksmith," reflecting a profession related to working with metal.
230. **Sobel:** "shoemaker," reflecting a profession related to shoemaking.
231. **Solomon:** "peace," expressing tranquility and harmony.
232. **Sonnenberg:** "sunny mountain," combining "sunny" for warmth and "mountain" for strength.
233. **Stein:** "stone," symbolizing strength and stability.
234. **Steinberg:** "stone mountain," combining "stone" for stability and "mountain" for strength.
235. **Steinhardt:** "strong stone," combining "strong" for power and "stone" for stability.
236. **Stern:** "star," symbolizing guidance and inspiration.
237. **Stevens:** "son of Stephen," referencing a name of Greek origin.
238. **Stoller:** "pillar," symbolizing support and stability.
239. **Strauss:** "ostrich," referencing a type of bird.
240. **Streisand:** "striving," suggesting ambition and determination.
241. **Strober:** "straw," referencing a material used for weaving.
242. **Suchman:** "sweet man," combining "sweet" for delight and "man" for humanity.
243. **Sugarman:** "sugar man," combining "sugar" for sweetness and "man" for humanity.
244. **Sussman:** "sweet man," combining "sweet" for delight and "man" for humanity.
245. **Swartz:** "black," referencing the color black.
246. **Tannenbaum:** "fir tree," representing strength and longevity.
247. **Tarlow:** "hill," symbolizing elevation and achievement.
248. **Teitelbaum:** "date palm," representing prosperity and abundance.
249. **Tenenbaum:** "tree of the valley," combining "tree" for stability and "valley" for abundance.
250. **Thayer:** "brave," expressing courage and bravery.
251. **Tiger:** "tiger," symbolizing strength and power.
252. **Tobias:** "God is good," expressing gratitude for divine goodness.
253. **Topper:** "summit," representing the highest point.
254. **Trachtenberg:** "mountain of clothes," combining "mountain" for strength and "clothes" for apparel.
255. **Tucker:** "weaver," reflecting a profession related to weaving.
256. **Ullman:** "owl," symbolizing wisdom and knowledge.
257. **Valenstein:** "strong valley," combining "strong" for power and "valley" for abundance.
258. **Vasserman:** "water man," combining "water" for life and "man" for humanity.
259. **Veksler:** "scholar," signifying intellectual pursuit.
260. **Verner:** "spring," representing the start of new life.
261. **Victor:** "conqueror," signifying triumph and victory.
262. **Villani:** "villager," indicating origin from a village.
263. **Vine:** "vine," representing growth and abundance.
264. **Virtel:** "quarter," indicating a portion or fraction.
265. **Volk:** "people," representing a community or group.
266. **Wagner:** "wagon maker," reflecting a profession related to building wagons.
267. **Waldman:** "forest man," combining "forest" for abundance and "man" for humanity.
268. **Wallach:** "foreigner," indicating a person who came from another place.
269. **Walter:** "ruler of the army," referencing military leadership.
270. **Weinstein:** "wine stone," combining "wine" for celebration and "stone" for stability.
271. **Weisberg:** "white mountain," combining "white" for purity and "mountain" for strength.
272. **Weiss:** "white," referencing the color white.
273. **Weitzman:** "wise man," combining "wise" for knowledge and "man" for humanity.
274. **Wertheimer:** "valuable," suggesting something of great worth.
275. **Wexler:** "scholar," signifying intellectual pursuit.
276. **White:** "white," referencing the color white.
277. **Wiener:** "Viennese," indicating origin from Vienna, Austria.
278. **Wilner:** "wolf," signifying strength and resilience.
279. **Winograd:** "vineyard," reflecting agricultural heritage.
280. **Wise:** "wise," signifying knowledge and understanding.
281. **Wolf:** "wolf," signifying strength and resilience.
282. **Wolff:** "wolf," signifying strength and resilience.
283. **Wolman:** "wood man," indicating a person who works with wood.
284. **Yanover:** "January," referencing the month of January.
285. **Yarmush:** "fruitful," expressing abundance and prosperity.
286. **Yellin:** "deer," symbolizing grace and gentleness.
287. **Yitzchak:** "he will laugh," expressing joy and contentment.
288. **Zaks:** "righteous," expressing moral uprightness.
289. **Zaslavsky:** "God's king," combining "God" for divinity and "king" for leadership.
290. **Zeldin:** "golden," referencing the color gold.
291. **Zelman:** "gold man," combining "gold" for wealth and "man" for humanity.
292. **Zerbe:** "servant," suggesting a person who works for another.
293. **Ziegler:** "tile maker," reflecting a profession related to making tiles.
294. **Zimmerman:** "carpenter," reflecting a profession related to woodworking.
295. **Zinger:** "singer," reflecting a profession related to singing.
296. **Zion:** "mountain," representing strength and resilience.
297. **Ziskind:** "God's kind," combining "God" for divinity and "kind" for compassion.
298. **Zuckerman:** "sugar man," combining "sugar" for sweetness and "man" for humanity.
299. **Zweig:** "branch," symbolizing growth and extension.
300. **Zwillman:** "twin," indicating a person who has a twin sibling.