German American Last Names: A Guide to Common Surnames

Looking for information on German American last names? This comprehensive guide provides a list of common surnames with their origins and meanings. German Americans have a rich history and their last names often reflect their heritage, offering insights into their ancestors' professions, locations, or personal characteristics. This list explores the fascinating world of German American surnames, shedding light on their diverse origins and meanings.
1. **Becker**: Baker. This common surname reflects the profession of the ancestor.
2. **Bauer**: Farmer. Another common surname that indicates the ancestor's occupation.
3. **Berg**: Mountain. A surname indicating a place of origin or a topographic feature near the ancestor's home.
4. **Berger**: Mountain dweller. Similar to "Berg", this surname signifies the ancestor's proximity to a mountain.
5. **Bischoff**: Bishop. This surname could denote the ancestor's position within the church or reflect a family connection to a bishop.
6. **Boehm**: Bohemian. This surname indicates that the ancestor's origin was in Bohemia, a historical region in Central Europe.
7. **Braun**: Brown. A surname that refers to the ancestor's hair color, complexion, or perhaps even a coat of arms.
8. **Breuer**: Brewer. This surname reflects the ancestor's occupation as a beer brewer.
9. **Busch**: Bush. This surname could indicate the ancestor's residence near a bush or a forest.
10. **Christensen**: Son of Christ. This surname is a patronymic, meaning it is derived from the father's name.
11. **Cook**: Cook. Similar to "Becker", this surname indicates the ancestor's occupation as a cook.
12. **Dahl**: Valley. This surname indicates a place of origin or a topographic feature near the ancestor's home.
13. **Dittmar**: Bright ruler. This surname combines the elements "dit" (bright) and "mar" (ruler).
14. **Ebert**: Noble, bright. This surname combines the elements "edel" (noble) and "bert" (bright).
15. **Fischer**: Fisherman. This surname indicates the ancestor's occupation as a fisherman.
16. **Fuchs**: Fox. This surname could refer to the ancestor's personality or to a family crest.
17. **Gabel**: Fork. This surname could refer to the ancestor's occupation as a maker or user of forks.
18. **Geiger**: Violinist. This surname indicates the ancestor's occupation as a violinist.
19. **Glaser**: Glazier. This surname indicates the ancestor's occupation as a glassmaker or window installer.
20. **Goldberg**: Golden mountain. This surname combines the elements "gold" (golden) and "berg" (mountain).
21. **Gruber**: Founder. This surname indicates the ancestor's occupation as a mine worker or a founder of a mine.
22. **Haas**: Hare. This surname could refer to the ancestor's personality or to a family crest.
23. **Hahn**: Rooster. This surname could refer to the ancestor's personality or to a family crest.
24. **Hartmann**: Strong man. This surname combines the elements "hart" (strong) and "mann" (man).
25. **Heinrich**: Ruler of the house. This surname is a variant of "Henry" and indicates a powerful leader.
26. **Herbst**: Autumn. This surname indicates the season in which the ancestor was born or a significant event occurred.
27. **Hoffman**: Hopeful man. This surname combines the elements "hoff" (hope) and "mann" (man).
28. **Huber**: Farmer. This surname indicates the ancestor's occupation as a farmer.
29. **Jansen**: Son of Jan. This surname is a patronymic, meaning it is derived from the father's name.
30. **Keller**: Cellar. This surname indicates the ancestor's residence near a cellar or a place of storage.
31. **Koch**: Cook. Similar to "Cook", this surname indicates the ancestor's occupation as a cook.
32. **Koenig**: King. This surname indicates the ancestor's lineage or position of power.
33. **Kramer**: Merchant. This surname indicates the ancestor's occupation as a merchant or shopkeeper.
34. **Krueger**: Pitcher. This surname indicates the ancestor's occupation as a brewer or maker of beer.
35. **Kuhn**: Son. This surname is a patronymic, meaning it is derived from the father's name.
36. **Kurz**: Short. This surname could refer to the ancestor's height or a physical characteristic.
37. **Lechner**: Teacher. This surname indicates the ancestor's occupation as a teacher or scholar.
38. **Lenz**: Spring. This surname indicates the season in which the ancestor was born or a significant event occurred.
39. **Linder**: Linden tree. This surname could refer to a place of origin or a tree near the ancestor's home.
40. **Loewen**: Lion. This surname could refer to the ancestor's personality or to a family crest.
41. **Lutz**: Strong fighter. This surname combines the elements "luto" (strong) and "z" (fighter).
42. **Mayer**: Mayor. This surname indicates the ancestor's position as a mayor or leader of a town.
43. **Miller**: Miller. This surname indicates the ancestor's occupation as a miller who ground grain.
44. **Mueller**: Miller. Another variant of "Miller", indicating the same occupation.
45. **Neumann**: New man. This surname indicates the ancestor's arrival in a new place or a new beginning.
46. **O'Brien**: Descendant of Brian. This surname is of Irish origin, although it may be found among German Americans.
47. **Peters**: Son of Peter. This surname is a patronymic, meaning it is derived from the father's name.
48. **Pfister**: Baker. This surname indicates the ancestor's occupation as a baker.
49. **Pfost**: Post. This surname could refer to a place of origin near a post or a landmark.
50. **Pohl**: Pole. This surname could refer to a place of origin near a pole or a landmark.
51. **Reinhardt**: Strong ruler. This surname combines the elements "rein" (strong) and "hart" (ruler).
52. **Richter**: Judge. This surname indicates the ancestor's position as a judge or a legal professional.
53. **Ritter**: Knight. This surname indicates the ancestor's status as a knight or a warrior.
54. **Roeder**: Rowing oar. This surname could refer to the ancestor's occupation as a boatman or a rower.
55. **Roth**: Red. This surname could refer to the ancestor's hair color, complexion, or a family crest.
56. **Schmidt**: Smith. This surname indicates the ancestor's occupation as a blacksmith or metal worker.
57. **Schneider**: Tailor. This surname indicates the ancestor's occupation as a tailor or clothes maker.
58. **Schroeder**: Cutter. This surname indicates the ancestor's occupation as a cutter of wood or metal.
59. **Schulz**: Steward. This surname indicates the ancestor's occupation as a steward or administrator.
60. **Schumacher**: Shoemaker. This surname indicates the ancestor's occupation as a shoemaker or cobbler.
61. **Schwarz**: Black. This surname could refer to the ancestor's hair color, complexion, or a family crest.
62. **Seidel**: Glass of beer. This surname could refer to the ancestor's occupation as a brewer or a drinker of beer.
63. **Senn**: Dairyman. This surname indicates the ancestor's occupation as a dairy farmer or cheese maker.
64. **Siebert**: Victory. This surname indicates the ancestor's strength or success in life.
65. **Simon**: Hearing. This surname indicates the ancestor's ability to listen or their role as a wise counselor.
66. **Smith**: Blacksmith. This surname indicates the ancestor's occupation as a blacksmith or metal worker.
67. **Sommer**: Summer. This surname indicates the season in which the ancestor was born or a significant event occurred.
68. **Steiner**: Stone worker. This surname indicates the ancestor's occupation as a stone mason or quarry worker.
69. **Stieve**: Strong, steadfast. This surname indicates the ancestor's strong character and resilience.
70. **Stoll**: Chair. This surname could refer to the ancestor's occupation as a chair maker or a place of residence near a chair shop.
71. **Straub**: Bush. This surname could refer to the ancestor's residence near a bush or a forest.
72. **Strauss**: Bush. Another variant of "Straub", indicating the same meaning.
73. **Teller**: Plate. This surname could refer to the ancestor's occupation as a dish maker or a place of residence near a plate shop.
74. **Thomas**: Twin. This surname indicates the ancestor's birth as a twin or a possible family connection to twins.
75. **Walter**: Ruler of the army. This surname indicates the ancestor's leadership or military power.
76. **Weber**: Weaver. This surname indicates the ancestor's occupation as a weaver of cloth.
77. **Wegner**: Way, road. This surname could refer to the ancestor's residence near a road or a path.
78. **Weiss**: White. This surname could refer to the ancestor's hair color, complexion, or a family crest.
79. **Werner**: Defender, protector. This surname indicates the ancestor's strength and courage.
80. **Wiese**: Meadow. This surname could refer to the ancestor's residence near a meadow or a field.
81. **Wilhelm**: Strong will. This surname indicates the ancestor's determination and willpower.
82. **Williams**: Son of William. This surname is a patronymic, meaning it is derived from the father's name.
83. **Winkler**: Wine maker. This surname indicates the ancestor's occupation as a winemaker or vintner.
84. **Wolf**: Wolf. This surname could refer to the ancestor's personality or to a family crest.
85. **Zimmerman**: Carpenter. This surname indicates the ancestor's occupation as a carpenter or woodworker.