Amish Last Names: A Comprehensive List with Meanings

Are you looking for a comprehensive list of Amish last names? Amish families often have unique surnames that have been passed down through generations, each carrying its own rich history and meaning. This detailed guide provides an extensive list of common Amish last names along with their origins and interpretations, offering valuable insights into the cultural heritage of this fascinating community.
1. **Beiler:** A German surname derived from "Beil," meaning "axe," possibly indicating a blacksmith or someone who used an axe for their profession.
2. **Bender:** This surname originates from the German word "Bender," which means "one who bends." It could have referred to someone who was a skilled craftsman, like a carpenter or a cobbler, or someone who was known for their flexibility.
3. **Berkey:** A German surname derived from "Berg," meaning "mountain," possibly indicating someone who lived near or on a mountain.
4. **Bontrager:** This surname has roots in the German word "Bontruger," which likely indicates a person associated with the "Bontruger" family, a prominent family in the region.
5. **Borntrager:** This surname is another variant of "Bontrager," with the same potential meanings.
6. **Byler:** A German surname derived from the word "Byl," meaning "axe," likely indicating someone associated with the use of an axe, potentially a woodcutter or blacksmith.
7. **Coblentz:** This surname originated in Germany, possibly from a place called "Coblenz" or "Coblentz," a town in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
8. **Cline:** A German surname derived from "Klein," meaning "small," possibly indicating someone who was of short stature or lived in a small village.
9. **Detweiler:** A German surname that originated from "Detwiler," which means "from Detwil," a place name in Switzerland.
10. **Eicher:** A German surname that originated from "Eich," meaning "oak," possibly indicating someone who lived near an oak tree or had an oak tree on their property.
11. **Fisher:** This surname has English origins and is derived from the word "fisher," referring to someone who fished for a living.
12. **Gingerich:** A German surname that originates from "Ginger," which means "ginger." It may have been used to describe someone with reddish-brown hair or who had ginger as a profession.
13. **Graber:** A German surname derived from the word "Graber," meaning "grave digger," possibly indicating someone who had this profession or lived near a cemetery.
14. **Hershberger:** A German surname that originated from "Hersh," meaning "deer." It may have been used to describe someone who hunted deer or lived in an area with a large deer population.
15. **Hochstetler:** A German surname originating from the place name "Hochstetten," meaning "high homestead," likely referring to a village or property situated on a hill or high ground.
16. **Hostetler:** A German surname that originated from "Hostetter," which means "homesteader." It likely refers to someone who lived on a homestead or had a farm.
17. **Huber:** This surname is derived from "Hube," a German word meaning "homestead" or "farm," likely indicating someone who owned or worked on a homestead.
18. **Kauffman:** A German surname derived from the word "Kaufmann," meaning "merchant," possibly indicating someone who was involved in buying and selling goods.
19. **King:** A surname of English origin, meaning "a man of royal descent" or "a person of high status."
20. **Knepp:** This surname is derived from the German word "Knepp," which means "knob" or "handle," potentially indicating someone who was a craftsman or worked with objects that had knobs or handles.
21. **Kraybill:** A German surname derived from "Kray," meaning "chalk" or "clay," possibly indicating someone who lived near a chalk or clay deposit or worked with those materials.
22. **Lamb:** A surname of English origin, likely indicating someone who raised lambs or was associated with sheep farming.
23. **Lehman:** A German surname that originated from "Lehman," meaning "landowner." It likely refers to someone who owned land or was associated with land ownership.
24. **Lentz:** A German surname derived from the word "Lenz," meaning "spring," potentially indicating someone who was born in the spring or who lived in a place known for its beautiful springtime.
25. **Miller:** A surname of English origin, indicating someone who worked as a miller, grinding grain into flour.
26. **Mullett:** A surname of English origin, meaning "mule" or "muleskinner," possibly indicating someone who worked with mules or was a muleteer.
27. **Nolt:** A German surname, possibly derived from "Nold," meaning "bold" or "brave," potentially indicating someone who was known for their courage or strength.
28. **Peachey:** A surname of English origin, likely derived from the word "peacock," possibly indicating someone who raised peacocks or lived in a place where peacocks were common.
29. **Reich:** A German surname, meaning "rich," potentially indicating someone who was wealthy or who lived in a rich and fertile area.
30. **Reimer:** A German surname, possibly derived from the word "Reim," meaning "rhyme," potentially indicating someone who was a poet, songwriter, or storyteller.
31. **Richey:** A surname of English origin, meaning "ruler" or "powerful," possibly indicating someone who held a position of authority.
32. **Roth:** A German surname, meaning "red," possibly indicating someone with red hair, a red complexion, or who lived in a place known for its red soil.
33. **Sensenig:** A German surname, possibly derived from the word "Sense," meaning "scythe," potentially indicating someone who worked as a reaper or who was associated with the use of a scythe.
34. **Stoltzfus:** A German surname, possibly derived from the word "Stolz," meaning "proud," potentially indicating someone who was proud of their heritage or accomplishments.
35. **Swartzentruber:** A German surname, possibly derived from the word "Schwarz," meaning "black," potentially indicating someone with dark hair, a dark complexion, or who lived in a place known for its dark soil.
36. **Troyer:** A German surname, possibly derived from the word "Troyer," meaning "one who is loyal" or "faithful," potentially indicating someone who was known for their loyalty or commitment.
37. **Weaver:** A surname of English origin, indicating someone who worked as a weaver, creating fabrics or textiles.
38. **Whitmer:** A surname of English origin, possibly derived from the word "whit," meaning "white," potentially indicating someone with fair hair, a light complexion, or who lived in a place known for its white soil.
39. **Yoder:** A German surname, possibly derived from the word "Joder," meaning "one who is pious" or "devout," potentially indicating someone who was known for their strong faith.
40. **Zook:** A German surname, possibly derived from the word "Zug," meaning "journey," potentially indicating someone who traveled frequently or who lived near a road or path.