German Surnames: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Origins and Meanings

Are you interested in tracing your family history or simply curious about the origins of German surnames? This comprehensive guide provides a detailed look into the rich tapestry of German naming traditions, delving into the meanings and histories behind some of the most common and unique German surnames. From occupational names to place-based origins, this list offers a glimpse into the cultural heritage embedded within these names.
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| **Ackermann** | Field man |
| **Bauer** | Farmer |
| **Becker** | Baker |
| **Bergmann** | Mountain man |
| **Böhme** | From Bohemia |
| **Borchert** | Son of Borchard |
| **Braun** | Brown |
| **Breuer** | Brewer |
| **Buchwald** | Forest of books |
| **Busch** | Bush |
| **Christensen** | Son of Christ |
| **Dittmann** | Son of Dietrich |
| **Eberhardt** | Strong as a boar |
| **Fischer** | Fisherman |
| **Fuchs** | Fox |
| **Gärtner** | Gardener |
| **Geiger** | Fiddler |
| **Gerber** | Tanner |
| **Giese** | Host |
| **Goldschmidt** | Gold smith |
| **Grimm** | Grim |
| **Haas** | Hare |
| **Hahn** | Rooster |
| **Hartmann** | Strong man |
| **Heinemann** | Home man |
| **Heller** | Bright |
| **Hennig** | Home ruler |
| **Hermann** | Army man |
| **Hoffmann** | Courtyard man |
| **Holzer** | Woodcutter |
| **Jäger** | Hunter |
| **Kaiser** | Emperor |
| **Klein** | Small |
| **Koch** | Cook |
| **Kohn** | Son of John |
| **Krause** | Curly |
| **Kuhn** | Son |
| **Lang** | Long |
| **Lehmann** | Tenant |
| **Leuthold** | People protector |
| **Lübke** | Little love |
| **Ludwig** | Famous warrior |
| **Mayer** | Mayor |
| **Meier** | Steward |
| **Müller** | Miller |
| **Neumann** | New man |
| **Peters** | Son of Peter |
| **Pfeiffer** | Piper |
| **Richter** | Judge |
| **Schmidt** | Smith |
| **Schmitt** | Smith |
| **Schröder** | Tailor |
| **Schulz** | Steward |
| **Schuster** | Shoemaker |
| **Schwarz** | Black |
| **Seidel** | Drinker |
| **Seifert** | Maker of sieves |
| **Simon** | Listener |
| **Sommer** | Summer |
| **Steiner** | Stone man |
| **Stieber** | Stirrer |
| **Strauss** | Ostrich |
| **Walter** | Ruler of the army |
| **Weber** | Weaver |
| **Weis** | Wise |
| **Werner** | Defender of the army |
| **Wiese** | Meadow |
| **Wilhelm** | Resolute protector |
| **Zimmermann** | Carpenter |