Related: 100 Italian Last Names and Surnames with Meanings, Relates to someone with dark hair, as it means "raven.". An occupational name for someone who made bonnets. This French surname holds the meaning "golden village.". Bernard Bernard derives from the Germanic given name Bernhard or Beornheard, meaning "strong or brave as a bear". Many Croats have arrived in Slovakia over recent centuries. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/german-surnames-meanings-and-origins-1420789. Abbe Acord Acy Adrien Agard Agee Agen Agent Agent Ager Aguillard Aguillon Aide Aime Airoldi Alarie Alexandre Alexis Alice Alix In 1945, the Allies declared victory in the Second World War on the French coast during the Battle of Normandy. And in France, the name Schmidt is the 484 th popular surname with an estimated 9,229 people with that name. This is followed in popularity by the name Schmidt (along with variants such as Schmitt or Schmitz, this comes from the blacksmith's trade), with Meier coming in third place. There are in France approximately 240,000 people with the surname Martin. The surname occasionally appears as Zajonc due to the Polish pronunciation of as on, however, the vowel is usually rendered as a outside Poland, producing Zajac. Similarly, various artists may be interested in French surnames for the purpose of naming characters in upcoming novels or screenplays, using them in song lyrics, as inspiration for the titles of paintings, sculptures, or other artwork, and more. If you wish your surname had more of a noble connotation, it may be possible to legally change your name to include that aristocratic Von or Zu prefix. . Take a trip to Germany with us, and keep reading to discover more about the surnames behind this rich and beautiful country. Madeleine's background in languages and linguistics has led to baby names becoming one of her favorite topics to write about. Beginning consonant clusters such as Kn (Knopf), Pf (Pfizer), Str (Stroh), Neu (Neumann), or Sch (Schneider) indicate possible German origins, as do endings such as -mann (Baumann), -stein (Frankenstein), -berg (Goldberg), -burg (Steinburg), -bruck (Zurbrck), -heim (Ostheim), -rich (Heinrich), -lich (Heimlich), -thal (Rosenthal), and -dorf (Dusseldorf). Horvat is the most frequent surname in Croatia. We still see examples of this custom in modern times. In German, the word von is used to reflect where a person is from similar to of in English, de in French and di in Italian. Europe is so well gardened that it resembles a work of art, a scientific theory, a neat metaphysical system. Reviewing a wide-ranging list of French surnames and their meanings (or the "claim to fame" of a specific individual) can spark a lot of creativity and encourage the imagination. "What Does Your German Last Name Mean?" Famous Namesakes: German poet and philosopher Friedrich Schiller, German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. By the time periods covered by MyHeritages birth and marriage indexes from Hesse, for example, surnames were used for the entire family. Powell, Kimberly. Find your French last name and learn about its meaning and origins. Related: 50 German Last Names and Surnames with Meanings 41. Sometimes you will only see the Von (or Zu) aspect of a German surname when the full title is given. Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=Category:German_surnames_from_French&oldid=50207290, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Virgin IslandsU.S. The Portuguese surnames have the prefixes Da with Dos while the Spanish last names have Las, De, De las, as well as Del before them. 5 of the Most Unusual German Surnames (with English Translations) Bierhals - beer-throat Durchdenwald - through-the-forest Handschuh - glove Nachtnebel - night fog Trinkenschuh - drink-shoe Most Popular German Last Names on Family Education: Abbas, Altergott, Adler Find your last name and learn about its meaning and origins. Lavigne - This French surname means "vine" or "vineyard" in Old French. By the way, the second most common surname in Romanian is Popescu (meaning the son of Popa) this is because -escuand -(e)anu are the most common name suffixes for Romanian names. Only about 10% of Icelanders have surnames as understood in the rest of Europe. They were often documented as "a young girl of nine", "the prettiest woman in town", "the rich woman", "the reverend of" According to Jrgen Udolph there are in total about 700 000 German named Mller. Sound familiar? Bauer (Austrian Origin), meaning "Peasant, Farmer". ", Related: 50 German Last Names and Surnames with Meanings. Did you know the meanings behind these awesome and unique German surnames? During the World Wars, many German Americans anglicised their German surname of Schmidtto Smithto avoid discrimination. While the von Braun name and noble connection was inherited from his fathers side of the family, Wernher von Brauns mother had an equally impressive lineage, reportedly dating back to medieval European royalty, including kings of France, Denmark, Scotland and England. Lapointe. Pages in category "French surnames from German" The following 64 pages are in this category, out of 64 total. Abel Abel is a patronymic name which means 'noble one'. Another variation of this name is "LeBlanc.". This research takes time and patience. In the Baltic countries, people tend to laugh at the Estonians, whereas in Balkan countries, they do jokes about the Bosnians. This derives from the time of the House of Habsburg, when these regions belonged to Hungary. Martin - Derived from Mars, the Roman God of War and fertility, Martin. Is there anyway you can help me out? _____ SURNAMES FROM FRANCE This occupational surname originally referred to someone who worked as a carrier of goods. 7. I didnt see it among the German surnames . These 100 French surnames are sure to intrigue. Schfer/Schaefer Meaning: Shepherd. Three suffixes which often indicate a German occupational name are: -er (one who), commonly found in names such as Fischer, one who fishes; -hauer (hewer or cutter), used in names such as Baumhauer, tree chopper; and -macher (one who makes), found in names like Schumacher, one who makes shoes. 1. This very common French last name is a patronymic from Mars, which is also the Roman god of fertility and war. A French surname derived from the first name of Matthewor Matias, meaning "gift of God." Germany (GER) It is very well known that it has a much wider occurrence in Europe, especially in Sweden and Spain (as Burgia). Dubois - A name given to people who live in the woods. In this post, we will explore the origins of German family names, how they developed, and how to research the surnames in your own family. The name "France" comes from the Latin word Francia, which literally means "land of the Franks" or "Frankland". Select titleFrench Feudal Barony (from 7000)French Viscount (from 9000)French Count (from 10000)French-Germanic Feudal Barony (from 12000)French Marquisate (from 12000)Italian Feudal Barony (from 7000)Italian Marquisate (from 12000)Italian Duchy (from 15000)Italian Principality (from 20000)German Lordship (from 3900)German Viscount (from 4900)German Barony (from 7000)German Count (from 9000)German Duchy (from 18000)German Principality (from 30000)Italian Lordship (from 2900)French Lordship (from 2900), Country (required) From around year AD 870 to 1648, the . German surnames derived from family origin Some names signified tribal affiliation, such as: Baier Franke Friese Hollnder Preu (Preuss) Sachse Others were based on place names: Hans from Nrnberg might be called Hans Nrnberger. Abrams Origin: Hebrew Meaning: High father or reference to the prophet Abraham. In the United States, Dubois is the 1459th most common last name. With a meaning of "forest," this name typically applied to lumbermen. That's likely thanks to the current president of FranceEmmanuel Macron. While Von or Zu can often indicate a history of aristocracy, or at least be a clue to a link to a noble lineage, it is not always an accurate indicator of aristocratic status. French surnames of German origin. For example, they might have called him, There are plenty of other resources for researching German family names and plotting their distribution, many of which can be found among, Still, even if you cant determine the precise meaning of your German family names, its never been easier to research your German roots thanks to the availability of online records some of which, like the, , are exclusive to MyHeritage. First German Baptist Church: French Settlement Cemetery: St Francis Roman Catholic Cemetery - INDEX of surnames A-G: St Francis Roman Catholic Cemetery - INDEX of surnames H-O . This practice obviously results in a dilemma for genealogists, with such possibilities as children in one family being born under different surnames. https://www.thoughtco.com/german-surnames-meanings-and-origins-1420789 (accessed March 5, 2023). When in 1808 a law signed by Napoleon forced all French Jews to take hereditary surnames, local Jews retained the family names they used for many centuries such as Crmieu (x), Milhaud,. This is the most common surname in Flanders but only the 67thname in French-speaking Wallonia and the second name in the city of Brussels after Janssens. Powell, Kimberly. Simon - A Hebrew name that means "to hear.". These French last names are magnificent and meaningful surnames that the people of this great nation can be proud of. -- 1 v. . Now a bit of logical thinking: the part ov designates possession: Petrovmeans Peters. "What Does Your German Last Name Mean?" It is shared by over 200,000 people in these countries. Determining the meaning of these names involves special challenges. Get in touch! There is a famous painter named Popa, as well as a politician, a playwright, a guitarist and a gymnast. While the name Kazlauskas was probably mostly brought from Poland via migration, there is also a possibility that it was adopted by some Lithuanians who had the word for a goat in their original surname during the era of polonisation. A topographical reference to a family who lived in an area with roses. Abel The patronymic name means 'noble one' and is derived from the Old German personal name 'Albrecht.' 2. These typical German names are full of history and tradition, so keep reading to learn more about each one. It means son of a priest (is it allowed? It is not tied to any nationality and it derives from Petar, which is equivalent to Peter in English. The etymology of surname comes from Middle English and the Anglo-Saxon/ Old French word "surnum" and "surnoun," which translates to "above-or-over name.". Occupational: Occupational names derive from a person's job or societal role. naming characters in upcoming novels or screenplays, German Last Names and Surnames with Meanings, Italian Last Names and Surnames with Meanings. Rue du March 7 Meaning without surprise the son of Jens, Jensen is the most common surname in Denmark where it is shared by about 5% of the population (288,050 people). Check out this list of popular German surnames and their meanings to see if you recognize any. Achen These additions eventually evolved into the surnames we know today: These surnames were not always family names, in the sense that they were not necessarily passed down in the family. Looking goodthis surname means "to dress up.". Perhaps you could use Von with your current surname, or as a prefix for the place you were born, or indeed anywhere you like (subject to the legal requirements in your country.). youve probably been spending a lot of time with their surnames. But these words might be retained in names such as place names and names of rivers. You will find it with different spellings in surnames like Hodja, Hoda (Slovak), Hoca (Turkish), Hodi (Bosnian), Hotzakis (Greek), Hoxha (Albanian) or Al-Khawaja. Bardin: This surname is derived from old high German 'barta' which means 'battle axe'. An occupational name for someone who collected tolls from travelers. Additionally common some names indicate regional origins: Gega/Gegaj (for one of Gheg origin ), Tosku/Toskaj (signifying Tosk origin) and Chami (for Cham origin ). It was only in the 19th century that surnames became hereditary. Aubert The term "surname" actually has Old French origins. Some names signified tribal affiliation, such as: Others were based on place names: Hans from Nrnberg might be called Hans Nrnberger. Talk about fitthis name means "to walk fast.". This however would not explain its lack of occurrence in Sicily itself. Many accepted this in order to conform to the new ideology but others, in particular political opponents, were willing to risk imprisonment and even execution in order to retain their own ethnic identity. Most Popular French Surnames on FamilyEducation: Allard, Beaumont, Deschamps, Fournier Guillaume Lambert, Tremblay. Youll start swearing before you reach page 10 Meanwhile, in Germany, Mlleris so frequent that you may end up in a supermarket! Bourreau French Variant of Bureau. However, in Canada, the name Schmidt is ranked the 196 th most popular surname with an estimated 19,008 people with that name. German surnames generally fit into one of the following categories: These were originally names with two parts, such as: Some of them were later shortened to names such as: Whats interesting about these names is that they contain old German words that are no longer in use. This occupational name would generally apply to a locksmith. (For a modern example, think of the Earl. 6. So, without further ado, say "bonjour" to this mix of common and unique French oh-la-last names that are sure to inspire! Its less common in northern and western Slovenia and in the Gorika region on the border with Italy, it is quite rare. The suffixiis a diminutive designation, or descendant designation. Boucher French Means "butcher" in French. Jewish (Ashkenazic): occupational name for a baker from German Bcker (compare 1 and Backer ) or Yiddish beker 'baker'. Fundamental All languages French Terms by semantic function Names Surnames From German, French surnames of German origin. It means priest. And theres a reason for that rarity: since 1925, Icelanders are not allowed to adopt a family name unless they have a good legal reason linked to their inheritance. A number of the names on this list are also words that describe traits, either physical or personality traits, which is in keeping with the style of the time. An occupational name for a farm bailiff, it's familiar in pop culture thanks to the Harry Potter character Hermoine Granger. These are available from specialist agencies around the world who have access to bona fide aristocratic titles such as Duke, Baron, Lord or even Prince, and while availability is increasingly scarce in modern times, there are usually titles from various countries, including Germany, as well as France, Spain, Italy and some lesser-known ancient kingdoms. Accola. In . A man might also change his surname to his wife's maiden name if she inherited a farm. The most famous Papadopoulos (in Greek,) may be the mean Greek character in the adventures of Tintin. The most prevalent Norwegian family name is Hansen, of which there are about 55000 in the country. Family names are at the heart of the history of each nation: a prime illustration of the social contract which binds people together in a society. Information on our advertising guidelines can be found. Brandt Meaning: Burn or burnt. 2. Regional differences. , and suggests a noble family being resident at a particular place, usually a country estate, family seat or inherited region. This last name would apply to a person from the Picardy, a region of France. 2022 Sandbox Networks Inc. All rights reserved. This French last name would likely refer to someone who either made or wore a particular hat or cape. 6. For example, the common last name "Chastain" means "near chestnut trees.". These additions eventually evolved into the surnames we know today: Heinrich dictus Schneider became Heinrich Schneider. Johansson is a patronymic family name meaning son of Johan and is the surname of more than 265,000 people. This surname is typically linked to the first name Albert. Would you put it rather on the left hand? A family with this surname would likely have needle-making in their occupational history. Durchdenwald (German origin) meaning "through-the-forest". Bourdillon French Diminutive form of Borde. Have you ever experiencedsaudade in Sintra? This should come as no surprise: Portugal has long been a richly forested nation, a fact which has influenced its culture and folklore. This enormous popularity is often attributed to Saint Martin of Tours, who is among the most popular French Saint there is even a Pain de Saint-Martin to show you how well-liked the guy is in France. It literally means son of Hans, and is also spelled as Hanssen. Almost 86,500 people in Netherlands bear the name De Jong, which represents 0.53% of the population. These typical German names are full of history and tradition, so keep reading to learn more about each one. Some variations derived from regional traditions and dialects. For the most part, the name was chosen by people who knew the person and who used the name to describe him. This surname corresponded to people who were from various valley landscapes in France. This location-based name refers to someone who lives near aspen trees. French singer Vanessa Paradis shares children Lily-Rose Depp and Jack Depp with actor Johnny Depp. There are plenty of other resources for researching German family names and plotting their distribution, many of which can be found among MyHeritages German historical records. The thing which makes them different from traditional surnames, however, is that when a person moved onto a farm, he would change his name to that of the farm (a name which usually came from the farm's original owner). For example, Names like these might have been shortened to, Brckner (someone who lives near a bridge), Buschmann (someone who lives near bushes), Weidemann (willow man or pasture man), Krger (innkeeper or merchant of glass and pottery), Richter (legal official, from the word for to make right), When first approaching a German surname, its important to remember that each name originally had a meaning. Another difficulty encountered in the interpretation of German names is the consequences of population shifts as a result of World War II. But who are we laughing at? Rossi is the plural of Rosso (meaning red or red-haired in Italian) although it is argued this surname derives from another source (come on:how many ginger people have you met in Italy?) Melnyk means, as in Germany, the profession of miller, which also exists asMelnik in Russia. Laurier. I was surprised about the Irish. Which title do you prefer? The guide will also explain how to look up French surname frequency. If this name sounds familiar, it's likely thanks to famous French writer Alexandre Dumas. In the Land of Honey,3,3% of the population share the same surname Borg(13,200 people). Or how about a friends? Some nobles prefer to downplay their aristocratic status or heritage, and so they use another family surname, a chosen name or a version of their surname that doesnt reflect the noble aspect. Mitzis real name and full title is Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber. For more parenting tips and tricks, find us on Pinterest: Are you a writer, expert, or influencer? Here are some German family surnames for you. Archambeau This unique-sounding French last name means 'bold' or 'daring'. 1854. As the French and Dutch version of the name Aloysius, this name is another version of the name Louis. Rossi is the most common surname in Italy it even inspired the name of a sweet. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice or consultation. Ackermann. Top 100 African Boy Names and Their Meanings, 100 Beautiful and Traditional Italian Baby Girl Names, 100 Cool Hispanic Boy Names (and Meanings), 100 Gorgeous Hispanic Girl Names (and Meanings). There were a lot of birch trees in Latvia in the early 1800s, at the time when laws were enacted requiring that peasants be given surnames: so lots of men just adopted a name that was to hand. The most common surname in Austria shared by 0,4% of the population is a surname from Bavaria. Hungarian surnames, just like in other countries, often refer to a profession such as Smith, Tailor or Miller. The root of Martin, Mar, means "gleam". First Trimester To-Do List: Take Care of Yourself. Occupational. However, as populations increased, the multitude of people who shared the same first name became confusing. Our team is comprised of parents, experts, and content professionals dedicated to bringing you the most accurate and relevant information in the parenting space. 2. In a similar way, the prefix Zu in a German surname can also be an indication of nobility. Haddad Origin: Mizrahi Meaning: Blacksmith. To understand the meaning of a name derived from these languages, you need to have a background in the Slavic, Baltic, Finno-Ugric, Romanic, Turkic, and other languages not only the modern vernaculars, but the historical development of these languages and their dialects. Croatians just call themselves Croats! McDowell. Irish: Anglicized form of Gaelic Mrtain 'descendant of Martin' (compare 1 above). Due to immigration from across the Pyrenees, in fact, Garcia is now also the 14th most common surname in France. This job-related surname was connected to the grower and/or seller of pears. (This includes names derived at an older stage of the language.). 2. Bernard - Strong or brave like a bear. -- Baton Rouge : Geoscience Publications, Louisiana State University, 1986 . Can you help me whit that? If someone refused to change their name, they were not entitled to benefits from Socialist Macedonia. In the country of fantastic creatures and monsters, this family name is quite imaginative as it means small deaf. Leblanc. Renault. The Germans who married into the French family had the surnames Rule ( Rhl ), Smice ( Schmeiss ), Shively ( Schnebele ), and Sheets ( Sheetz ) and many more. There are two noble Nowak lines of Polish origin: the Bohemian barons from 1660 (Anatol Nowak, archbishop of Wrocaw, died in 1456) and Antoni and Jzef Nowak in Masovia known from 1750 they were Lieutenant Generals in the Polish Army during Napoleons Campaign. And no! This patronymic is one of the most common French surnames. Yep, its a weird but old tradition there. Among the most prominent Kazlauskas, we found Charles Kazlauskas (b. and it even has a female version: Papadopoulou. Prof. Dr. Udolph is a name researcher, father of 4, and a tenured professor at Leipzig University, and he is the most sought-after expert today when it comes to the interpretation of names. Common places used as surnames include Dibra, Laci, Shkodra, Prishtina, Delvina, Koroveshi and Permeti, as well as the famous Frasheri surname of the Frasheri family. List Of Popular German Last Names Or Surnames 1. 1982), an american football player of Lithuanian descent, Jonas Kazlauskas (b. Flett. Still, even if you cant determine the precise meaning of your German family names, its never been easier to research your German roots thanks to the availability of online records some of which, like the North Rhine-Westphalia collection, are exclusive to MyHeritage. Have you noticed that Polish, Czech and Slovenes share the same most commun surname Novak which means simply new man. 1 in piedmont - north italy. It may sound a bit clich but the most common surname in Portugal is Silva or Da Silva deriving from the Latin word for a wood, a forest, a bush or a plantation. German family names can be a fascinating gateway to the past not only your familys past, but also the history of Germany and the German language. One reason many German surnames feature the Von or Zu prefixes is that the right to include them in a surname was one of the few remaining aristocratic privileges allowed when the nobility was abolished in Germany in 1919. The term "Alsace-Lorraine" ("Elsass-Lothringen" in German) refers to a territory created by the German Empire in 1871 at the end of the Franco-Prussian war. Also, ever wondered why the most common surnames in some Balkan countries actually designate the neighbours nationality? Text is in German and English. For example, the current members of the British royal family style their surnames Windsor, in reference to the House of Windsor whose family seat (or at least one of) is Windsor Castle. The Huguenots are generally well-documented and it is often possible to trace them to their French home town. Birch trees even inspired one of the most beautiful European fairy tales. Matho. He has researched more than 10,000 names in the past ten years. ", This French last name means "a short sword.". Around the 12th century, people began to differentiate between individuals who shared the same name using the Latin word dictus (called), or later, with the German genant (called), giheizen/heisset (is called), den man sprichet (of whom you speak), den man nennt (the one who you call), and so on. Alternative Spellings & Variations: Fritz, Fred, Frederick, Rick, Rich. The name was often given to someone who came to a new city, or a convert to Christianity. This is because names are often based on words that come from Middle High German or Middle Low German, which are no longer spoken in Germany. Hesse , or the Palatine (Palatinate or Pfalz region), was the area of highest 18 th Century German . In Sweden, the first 18 most common surnames all end with -sson. Looking for more good German names? Unsurprisingly, this surname means "small.". It originates from the word Horvat an older version of the word Hrvatused to describe a Croat. As you might expect from the Von in his surname, Wernher von Braun has aristocratic roots a fact that is compounded by the term Freiherr in his full name, (Freiherr is the German word for Baron, or literally Free Lord). Youre looking for a friend called Pierre Martin? Petrovi is a Slavic surname, common in many countries with Slavic populations. Geneva, 1204 Throughout the evolution of the European aristocracy in the Middle Ages, these prefixes have related to a land-holding or estate that belonged to a noble family, or a region that was inherent in a noble title. The email address is kept private and will not be shown. Use the list below to find your last name and learn about its meaning and origins. So manywritersshare the name Hansen, it makes it quite complicated for Norwegians to find their favourite books in libraries especially ahead of their weird Easter tradition of readingcrime books. This writer is a part of the FamilyEducation editorial team. Watremez. One glamorous example of this practice is Mitzi Gaynor, the American actress popular in the 1950s who appeared in classic Hollywood films such as. Martin Derived from Mars, the Roman God of War, Martin originates from the tribe of Mairtine. Bret French French form of Brett. After all, whether you have visited France and fell in love with the experience, have French ancestry that you'd like to highlight, or have a soft-spot for all things Frenchmusic, film, culture, language, etc., there are many reasons why French surnames could make their way onto your own baby name or pet name list. Its always more appreciated than an insult! Barreau: This French surname is a derivative of barrer, which means 'to bar', 'to close or block off'. Aigner (Austrian Origin), last name referring to the tribal conflicts in ancient times. The German surname is also found in France (mainly Lorraine and Alsace). The root "Mar" means "Gleam" in French. A Anspach Asperger Auf der Maur B Bauer Bernstein Blauschild Blumenfeld Blumenthal Bollinger D Dietemann Dreyfus E Eisenberg Eisenhauer 4. Keep all this in mind when you delve into. Where does the surname WIELAND derive from? is used to reflect where a person is from similar to, Throughout the evolution of the European aristocracy in the Middle Ages, these prefixes have related to a land-holding or estate that belonged to a noble family, or a region that was inherent in a noble title. Or German Schadenfreude? In the flat country, the most prevalent surname is Peeters with 32,700 owners. 3. In Germany Klein is primarily found in: North Rhine-Westphalia, where 28 percent live, Rhineland-Palatinate, where 13 percent live and Baden-Wrttemberg, where 12 percent live. As in the Czech Republic, the most common family name in Poland means new man and 203,506 people share it. Be aware that there were thousands of German witches executed during the Medieval and Early Modern Era whose names were never recorded. Your use of the site indicates your agreement to be bound by our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.