German Last Names List: A Comprehensive Guide to Common Surnames and Their Meanings

Looking for a list of common German last names and their meanings? You've come to the right place! This comprehensive list offers an in-depth exploration of some of the most prevalent surnames in Germany, providing insights into their origins and the stories they tell. Whether you're researching your family history, exploring German culture, or simply curious about the fascinating world of names, this resource is sure to be helpful. Let's dive in!
1. **Ackermann:** From Middle High German *ackermann*, meaning "fieldman" or "farmer."
2. **Bauer:** From Middle High German *bauer*, meaning "farmer" or "peasant."
3. **Becker:** From Middle High German *becker*, meaning "baker."
4. **Berger:** From Middle High German *berger*, meaning "mountain dweller."
5. **Bergmann:** From Middle High German *bergmann*, meaning "mountain man."
6. **Bischoff:** From Middle High German *bischof*, meaning "bishop."
7. **Bock:** From Middle High German *bock*, meaning "male goat."
8. **Böhm:** From Middle High German *böhm*, meaning "Bohemian," a native of Bohemia.
9. **Braun:** From Middle High German *braun*, meaning "brown."
10. **Breuer:** From Middle High German *breuer*, meaning "brewer."
11. **Busch:** From Middle High German *busch*, meaning "bush" or "wood."
12. **Fischer:** From Middle High German *fischer*, meaning "fisherman."
13. **Fuchs:** From Middle High German *fuchs*, meaning "fox."
14. **Gärtner:** From Middle High German *gärtner*, meaning "gardener."
15. **Geiger:** From Middle High German *geiger*, meaning "fiddler" or "violinist."
16. **Glaser:** From Middle High German *glaser*, meaning "glassmaker."
17. **Goldberg:** From Middle High German *goldberg*, meaning "golden mountain."
18. **Gross:** From Middle High German *gross*, meaning "large."
19. **Haas:** From Middle High German *haas*, meaning "hare" or "rabbit."
20. **Hahn:** From Middle High German *hahn*, meaning "rooster."
21. **Hammer:** From Middle High German *hammer*, meaning "hammer" or "smith."
22. **Hartmann:** From Middle High German *hartmann*, meaning "strong man."
23. **Hausmann:** From Middle High German *hausmann*, meaning "householder" or "farmer."
24. **Heinemann:** From Middle High German *heinemann*, meaning "homeman" or "householder."
25. **Heinrich:** From Middle High German *heinrich*, meaning "ruler of the house."
26. **Hermann:** From Middle High German *hermann*, meaning "man of the army" or "warrior."
27. **Hoffmann:** From Middle High German *hoffmann*, meaning "court official."
28. **Huber:** From Middle High German *huber*, meaning "farmer" or "landowner."
29. **Jäger:** From Middle High German *jäger*, meaning "hunter."
30. **Jansen:** From Middle High German *jansen*, meaning "son of Jan."
31. **Jung:** From Middle High German *jung*, meaning "young."
32. **Keller:** From Middle High German *keller*, meaning "cellar" or "wine cellar."
33. **Klein:** From Middle High German *klein*, meaning "small."
34. **Koch:** From Middle High German *koch*, meaning "cook."
35. **Krause:** From Middle High German *krause*, meaning "curly" or "wavy."
36. **Kuhn:** From Middle High German *kuhn*, meaning "bold" or "brave."
37. **Lehmann:** From Middle High German *lehmann*, meaning "tenant farmer."
38. **Lenz:** From Middle High German *lenz*, meaning "spring."
39. **Liebmann:** From Middle High German *liebmann*, meaning "dear man" or "beloved."
40. **Lochner:** From Middle High German *lochner*, meaning "one who lives near a lake" or "fisherman."
41. **Lutz:** From Middle High German *lutz*, meaning "fighter" or "warrior."
42. **Mayer:** From Middle High German *mayer*, meaning "mayor" or "administrator."
43. **Meier:** From Middle High German *meier*, meaning "administrator" or "landowner."
44. **Meyer:** From Middle High German *meyer*, meaning "administrator" or "landowner."
45. **Müller:** From Middle High German *müller*, meaning "miller."
46. **Neumann:** From Middle High German *neumann*, meaning "new man."
47. **Otto:** From Old High German *otto*, meaning "wealthy."
48. **Pfeiffer:** From Middle High German *pfeiffer*, meaning "piper" or "flute player."
49. **Pohl:** From Middle High German *pohl*, meaning "pool" or "lake."
50. **Reuter:** From Middle High German *reuter*, meaning "rider" or "horseman."
51. **Richter:** From Middle High German *richter*, meaning "judge."
52. **Roth:** From Middle High German *roth*, meaning "red."
53. **Schmidt:** From Middle High German *schmidt*, meaning "blacksmith."
54. **Schneider:** From Middle High German *schneider*, meaning "tailor."
55. **Scholz:** From Middle High German *scholz*, meaning "keeper of the castle."
56. **Schröder:** From Middle High German *schröder*, meaning "tailor."
57. **Schubert:** From Middle High German *schubert*, meaning "one who lives by a forest."
58. **Schulz:** From Middle High German *schulz*, meaning "steward" or "administrator."
59. **Schuster:** From Middle High German *schuster*, meaning "shoemaker."
60. **Schwarz:** From Middle High German *schwarz*, meaning "black."
61. **Seidel:** From Middle High German *seidel*, meaning "tankard" or "cup."
62. **Seitz:** From Middle High German *seitz*, meaning "victorious."
63. **Siebert:** From Middle High German *siebert*, meaning "victorious man."
64. **Simon:** From Hebrew *shimon*, meaning "he has heard."
65. **Sommer:** From Middle High German *sommer*, meaning "summer."
66. **Steiner:** From Middle High German *steiner*, meaning "stonemason."
67. **Strauss:** From Middle High German *strauss*, meaning "ostrich."
68. **Weber:** From Middle High German *weber*, meaning "weaver."
69. **Weidmann:** From Middle High German *weidmann*, meaning "hunter."
70. **Weiss:** From Middle High German *weiss*, meaning "white."
71. **Wendland:** From Middle High German *wendland*, meaning "land of the Wends."
72. **Werner:** From Middle High German *werner*, meaning "defender of the army."
73. **Wilhelm:** From Old High German *wilhelm*, meaning "resolute helmet."
74. **Wolf:** From Middle High German *wolf*, meaning "wolf."
75. **Zimmermann:** From Middle High German *zimmermann*, meaning "carpenter."