German Last Names Starting With M: A Comprehensive Guide

Looking for a unique and meaningful German last name starting with the letter M? You've come to the right place! This comprehensive list explores a wide range of surnames, offering insights into their origins, meanings, and historical significance. Whether you're researching your family history or simply seeking inspiration for a fictional character, this guide will help you discover the perfect German last name beginning with M.
1. **Mayer:** A common German surname, meaning "farmer" or "tenant farmer." It derives from the Old High German word "maer," meaning "farm."
2. **Müller:** Another widespread German surname, signifying "miller." It originates from the Old High German word "muol," meaning "mill."
3. **Meier:** A German surname indicating a "manager," "steward," or "administrator." It derives from the Old High German word "mehtar," meaning "manager."
4. **Martin:** A popular German surname, meaning "warlike" or "dedicated to Mars," the Roman god of war. It originates from the Latin name "Martinus."
5. **Meyer:** Similar to Mayer, this surname means "farmer" or "tenant farmer." It shares the same root, the Old High German word "maer."
6. **Muller:** A variant of Müller, this surname also signifies "miller" and traces back to the Old High German word "muol."
7. **Maier:** A variant of Mayer and Meier, this surname also refers to a "farmer," "steward," or "administrator," with roots in the Old High German word "mehtar."
8. **Maurer:** A German surname meaning "mason" or "bricklayer." It derives from the Old High German word "mur," meaning "wall."
9. **Mann:** A common German surname, meaning "man" or "human." It originates from the Old High German word "mann," meaning "man."
10. **Männle:** A German surname, meaning "little man" or "small man." It is a diminutive form of "Mann."
11. **Möller:** A German surname meaning "miller," similar to Müller and Muller. It shares the same root, the Old High German word "muol."
12. **Michel:** A German surname derived from the Hebrew name "Michael," meaning "who is like God?"
13. **Mertz:** A German surname meaning "boundary" or "border." It derives from the Old High German word "mertza."
14. **Moser:** A German surname meaning "dweller by the moor," "moor dweller," or "swamp dweller." It originates from the Old High German word "mos," meaning "moor."
15. **Möser:** A variant of Moser, this surname also signifies "dweller by the moor" or "moor dweller." It shares the same root, the Old High German word "mos."
16. **Müller-Mertens:** A compound German surname, combining the common surname "Müller" with "Mertens," a surname meaning "dweller near the border."
17. **Meissner:** A German surname meaning "resident of Meissen," a city in Saxony. It originates from the German word "Meissen."
18. **Mielke:** A German surname meaning "milkman" or "dairyman." It derives from the Old High German word "milch," meaning "milk."
19. **Mischke:** A German surname meaning "little Michael" or "small Michael." It is a diminutive form of the name "Michael."
20. **Morgenstern:** A German surname meaning "morning star." It is a combination of the German words "Morgen" (morning) and "Stern" (star).
21. **Münster:** A German surname meaning "monastery" or "cloister." It derives from the Old High German word "munster," meaning "monastery."
22. **Marquardt:** A German surname meaning "guardian of the boundary" or "boundary guard." It originates from the Old High German words "marc" (boundary) and "ward" (guard).
23. **Marx:** A German surname meaning "protector" or "warrior." It derives from the Old High German word "march," meaning "border" or "boundary."
24. **Mauer:** A German surname meaning "wall" or "fortification." It originates from the Old High German word "mur," meaning "wall."
25. **Maurer-Mauer:** A compound German surname, combining the surname "Maurer" (mason) with "Mauer" (wall), reflecting a family's historical connection to building and construction.
26. **Matthews:** A German surname meaning "gift of God." It derives from the Hebrew name "Mattityahu."
27. **Matuschek:** A German surname meaning "little Matthew" or "small Matthew." It is a diminutive form of the name "Matthew."
28. **Metzger:** A German surname meaning "butcher" or "slaughterer." It derives from the Old High German word "metzgar," meaning "butcher."
29. **Meurer:** A German surname meaning "wall builder" or "fortifier." It is a variant of Maurer, sharing the same root, the Old High German word "mur."
30. **Meyer-Münster:** A compound German surname, combining the surname "Meyer" (farmer) with "Münster" (monastery), suggesting a family's historical connection to agriculture and religious institutions.
31. **Meyn:** A German surname meaning "power" or "strength." It derives from the Old High German word "magi," meaning "strength."
32. **Mies:** A German surname meaning "lesser" or "inferior." It derives from the Old High German word "min," meaning "less."
33. **Mielitzer:** A German surname meaning "resident of Mielitz," a village in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. It originates from the German word "Mielitz."
34. **Milkau:** A German surname meaning "dweller by the mill stream" or "mill stream dweller." It is a combination of the German words "Mühle" (mill) and "Aue" (meadow).
35. **Moeller:** A variant of Müller and Möller, this surname also signifies "miller" and traces back to the Old High German word "muol."
36. **Mohr:** A German surname meaning "moor" or "dark-skinned person." It derives from the Old High German word "mōr," meaning "moor."
37. **Mölter:** A German surname meaning "miller." It is a variant of Müller, Möller, and Moeller, sharing the same root, the Old High German word "muol."
38. **Mönch:** A German surname meaning "monk." It derives from the Old High German word "munih," meaning "monk."
39. **Mönke:** A German surname meaning "little monk" or "small monk." It is a diminutive form of "Mönch."
40. **Morell:** A German surname meaning "dark" or "black." It derives from the Old French word "morel," meaning "dark."
41. **Moser-Meier:** A compound German surname, combining the surname "Moser" (moor dweller) with "Meier" (steward), reflecting a family's historical connection to both rural life and administration.
42. **Mühle:** A German surname meaning "mill." It derives from the Old High German word "muol," meaning "mill."
43. **Müller-Mühle:** A compound German surname, combining the surname "Müller" (miller) with "Mühle" (mill), highlighting a family's long-standing association with milling.
44. **Münch:** A variant of Mönch, this surname also means "monk" and originates from the Old High German word "munih."
45. **Münzer:** A German surname meaning "coin-maker" or "minter." It derives from the Old High German word "münze," meaning "coin."
46. **Muth:** A German surname meaning "courage" or "bravery." It derives from the Old High German word "mōd," meaning "courage."
47. **Myr:** A German surname meaning "myrtle" or "myrtle tree." It derives from the Old High German word "myrta."
48. **Mylius:** A German surname meaning "soldier" or "warrior." It derives from the Old High German word "militia," meaning "military."
49. **Mertz-Meyer:** A compound German surname, combining the surname "Mertz" (boundary) with "Meyer" (farmer), suggesting a family's historical connection to land ownership and territorial boundaries.
50. **Mönkemeyer:** A compound German surname, combining the surname "Mönke" (little monk) with "Meyer" (farmer), possibly reflecting a family's historical connection to a monastic farm or a family member who was a monk but also engaged in farming.