Swiss
names are used in the country of Switzerland in central Europe.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Guertin FrenchA French surname that evolved from the Old Germanic given name,
Warin, "meaning to guard", or "protection". This surname was often given as an occupational name for a guard, or someone who served as a protector in their community.
Guet FrenchFrench - From Old French
guet "lookout, watchman".
Guignard Frenchfrom the old Germanic name
Winhard composed of the elements
win "friend" and
hard "hard strong".
Guilbeau FrenchPossibly from Ancient Germanic
wil, meaning "will, power", and Latin
bellus, meaning "beautiful".
Guiles FrenchOf uncertain origin; it could be a variant of French Guill or of English Guile or Giles .
Guimond Frenchfrom the medieval French name
Guimond from the Germanic name
Wigmund composed of the ancient Germanic elements
wīg "battle combat" and
mund "protection".
Guin FrenchFrom the given name Guin the French form of
Wino a short form of names with the element
win "friend".
Guitry FrenchDerived from the given name
Witeric. A famous bearer of this name was Sacha Guitry (1885-1957), a French actor, playwright, screenwriter and director.
Gülden Dutch, Germanfrom
gulden "golden" derived from vergulden vergolden "to gild" a metonymic occupational name for a craftsman who gilds objects; compare Guldner. From gulden the name of the coin (English guilder) applied as a topographic or habitational name referring to a house name such as In den silvren Gulden ("In the Silver Guilder") or from related verb meaning "to gild" applied as a topographic or habitational name referring to a house name such as De Gulden Hoeve ("The Gilded Farmhouse") or De Gulden Zwaan ("The Gilded Swan").
Gullette FrenchComes from Guillemme or William of Normandy. Reference 1066: The Battle of Hastings.
Guntli RomanshDerived from Romansh
cunt "count" in combination with the diminutive suffix
-li.
Gunzenhauser German, JewishHabitational name for someone from either of two places named Gunzenhausen, one in Württemberg and the other in Bavaria.
Gust GermanGerman: from a short form of the personal name
Jodocus, which is either a Latinized form of a Breton name,
Iodoc, borne by a 7th-century Breton saint (compare
Jost and
Joyce) or from a reduced form of the personal name
Augustus.... [
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Gütlin German, YiddishDiminutive of GUTE and GUTA, recorded in Frankfurt, Germany throughout the 14th century.
Guttenberg German, JewishGerman and Jewish (Ashkenazic): habitational name from any of various places, for example in Bavaria, called Guttenberg, from the weak dative case (originally used after a preposition and article) of Old High German guot ‘good’ + berg ‘mountain’, ‘hill’... [
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Gutting GermanOf uncertain origin. Probably from a Germanic personal name formed with
god "good" or
god,
got "god".
Guy English, FrenchFrom a French form of the Germanic personal name
Wido, which is of uncertain origin. This name was popular among the Normans in the forms
Wi,
Why as well as in the rest of France in the form
Guy.
Habelt Germanfrom a pet form of the Germanic personal name Habo, a short form of various compound names formed with had(u) ‘battle’, ‘strife’
Haberland GermanTopographic name from Middle High German
haber(e) "oats" and
land "land", or a habitational name from any of various places so called.
Häberli German (Swiss)Derived from Alemannic and Upper German
Haber, a variant of Standard High German
Hafer "oats" in combination with the diminutive suffix
-li. This name denoted a young farmer of oats.
Habermann German, JewishOccupational name for a grower or seller of oats, composed of the elements
Haber and the agent suffix
-mann.
Habermehl Germanmetonymic occupational name for a producer or seller of oatmeal from Middle High German
habaro "oats" and
melo "flour".
Habsburg GermanThis surname may have been used by someone whose descendants originated from the House of Habsburg, which was one of the most important royal houses in Europe. It is assumed that the surname is derived from High German
Habichtsburg meaning "hawk castle," but some historians and linguists believe that it may actually be derived from Middle High German
hab/hap meaning "ford", as there is a river with a ford nearby.
Hafer German, JewishMetonymic occupational name for a grower of or dealer in oats, from German
Hafer "oats". Compare
Haber. As a Jewish surname, it is in many cases ornamental.
Hagelberg GermanFrom German
hagel meaning "hail" and
berg meaning "mountain".
Hagen German, Dutch, Danishfrom the ancient Germanic personal name
Hagen a short form of various compound names formed with
hag "enclosure protected place" as the first element.
Hahm GermanMetonymic occupational name for a sealer of weights and measures, from Middle High German hāme ‘(standard) measure’.
Hahner GermanOccupational name for a poultry farmer, from an agent derivative of Middle High German
hane "rooster".
Hahner GermanHabitational name for someone from any of several places called Hahn or Hag.
Halberstadt GermanHabitational name from any of various places so named, notably the city near Magdeburg and Halberstadt near Königstein in Saxony.
Ham English, German, Scottish, Anglo-SaxonAnglo-Saxon meaning the home stead, many places in England. One who came from Hamm in North-Rhine Westphalia, or one who came from Ham in Caithness Scotland's most northerly county. In Scotland this surname devires from the Norse word "Hami", meaning homestead.
Hamberg German, Danish, JewishGerman, Danish, and Jewish (Ashkenazic) habitational name from any of several places named Hamberg. Jewish (Ashkenazic) variant of
Hamburg.
Hamberger German, JewishGerman and Jewish (Ashkenazic) habitational name for someone from any of various places named Hamberg. Jewish (Ashkenazic) variant of
Hamburger.
Hamburg German, JewishGerman and Jewish (Ashkenazic) habitational name from the great city and port at the mouth of the river Elbe, named with the Germanic elements
ham ‘water meadow’ +
burg ‘fortress’, ‘fortified town’.
Hamel Frenchtopographic name for someone who lived and worked at an outlying farm dependent on the main village Old French
hamel (a diminutive from an ancient Germanic element cognate with Old English
hām "homestead"); or a habitational name from (Le) Hamel the name of several places in the northern part of France named with this word.
Hamer English, GermanFrom the town of Hamer in Lancashire from the old english word
Hamor combining "Rock" and "Crag". It is also used in Germany and other places in Europe, possibly meaning a maker of Hammers.
Hammer German, English, JewishFrom Middle High German
hamer, Yiddish
hamer, a metonymic occupational name for a maker or user of hammers, for example in a forge, or nickname for a forceful person.
Handschuh GermanOccupational name for a maker or seller of gloves or perhaps a nickname for someone who habitually wore gloves from Middle High German
hantschuoch "glove" literally "hand shoe" from the elements
hant "hand" and
schuh "shoe".
Harbach GermanHabitational name from any of several places named Harbach.
Harcourt FrenchThis name is of locational origin either from the town and ancient chateau of Harcourt near Brionne in Normandy.
Hardekop German (Rare)Derived from Middle High German
hart "hard" and
kopf "head". As a surname, it was given to a hard-headed, stubborn person.
Harlacher GermanHabitational name for someone from Ober- or Unter-Harlachen, near Überlingen.
Harless English, GermanEnglish: probably a variant spelling of
Arliss, a nickname from Middle English
earles ‘earless’, probably denoting someone who was deaf rather than one literally without ears.
Harpe GermanDerived from a short form of the given name
Harprecht.
Hartung GermanGerman, Dutch, and Danish: from a Germanic personal name, a derivative (originally a patronymic) of compound names beginning with hart ‘hardy’, ‘strong’.
Hassdenteufel GermanA German Satzname, from the expression "Hass den Teufel" meaning "hate the devil".
Hasselbach GermanHabitational name from any of the places in various parts of Germany called Hasselbach.
Hässli German (Swiss), French (Rare)Swiss German diminutive form of
Haas. This is a French surname via Alsace-Lorraine. A notable bearer is French footballer (soccer player) Eric Hassli (1981-).
Hattendorf German, JewishGerman and Jewish (Ashkenazic): habitational name from places called Hattendorf, near Alsfeld and near Hannover. The element
hatt,
had means ‘bog’
Haueis GermanDerived from Middle High German
houwen "to beat" and
isen "iron". This surname denoted a smith.
Hauptmann GermanDerived from German
hauptmann, a word used for a German military rank meaning "Captain".
Haus GermanTopographic and occupational name for someone who lived and worked in a great house, from Middle High German, Middle Low German
hus "house" (see
House).
Hausch GermanFrom the Germanic personal name
Huso, a short form of a compound name composed with
hus ‘house’, ‘dwelling’ as the first element.
Hauschild GermanPossibly from German
haus "house" or
hauen "to chop, to hack" combined with
schild "shield".
Hauser German, JewishFrom Middle High German
hus "house", German
haus, + the suffix -
er, denoting someone who gives shelter or protection.
Hausknecht Germanoccupational name from Middle High German
hus "house" and
kneht "boy servant" also "town-hall, messenger".
Hauswirth GermanFrom Middle High German
haus 'house' and
wirt 'owner' or 'master'.
Hay English, Scottish, Irish, Welsh, French, Spanish, German, Dutch, FrisianScottish and English: topographic name for someone who lived by an enclosure, Middle English
hay(e),
heye(Old English
(ge)hæg, which after the Norman Conquest became confused with the related Old French term
haye ‘hedge’, of Germanic origin)... [
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Haydn GermanMeaning "heathen". Famous bearer is Austrian composer Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809).
Hazard English, French, DutchNickname for an inveterate gambler or a brave or foolhardy man prepared to run risks, from Middle English, Old French
hasard, Middle Dutch
hasaert (derived from Old French) "game of chance", later used metaphorically of other uncertain enterprises... [
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Hebel German1 German: metonymic occupational name for a baker, from Middle High German hebel ‘yeast’.... [
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Heber GermanOccupational name for a carrier (someone who loaded or transported goods), from an agent derivative of Middle High German
heben "to lift".
Hecht German, DutchFrom Middle High German
hech(e)t, Middle Dutch
heect,
hecht "pike", generally a nickname for a rapacious and greedy person. In some instances it may have been a metonymic occupational name for a fisher and in others it may be a habitational name from a house distinguished by a sign depicting this fish.
Hefler GermanDerived from the Old German and German word hof, which means settlement, farm or court.
Heid German, JewishTopographic name from Middle High German heide, German Heide ‘heath’, ‘moor’. Compare Heath.... [
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Heidenreich GermanFrom the medieval personal name Heidenrich, ostensibly composed of the elements heiden 'heathen', 'infidel' (see Heiden 2) + ric 'power', 'rule', but probably in fact a variant by folk etymology of Heidrich.
Heider GermanCombination of German
Heide "heath, headland" and the suffix
-er denoting an inhabitant. The surname can be either topographic for someone living on or near a heath, or habitational for someone from any place named with the element
Heide.
Heil GermanMost recognisably known for meaning ‘Salvation’, it was also one used as an indication of a doctor or healer.
Heiland GermanSouth German: from Middle High German
heilant ‘savior’, ‘Christ’, presumably either a name given to someone who had played the part of Christ in a mystery play or an occupational name for a healer, from Middle High German
heilen ‘to heal’, ‘save’.
Heimburg GermanGerman for "home". Originates in the German village of Heimburg (not to be confused with
Hamburg) and the nearby castle of the same name.
Heimburger German, JewishStatus name for a village head, derived from Middle High German
heim meaning "homestead, settlement" and
bürge meaning "guardian". It could also be a habitational name for someone from numerous places called
Heimburg or
Heimberg in Germany.
Heimlich GermanNickname for a secretive person from Middle High German heimelich German heimlich "confidential secret".
Heinbokel German(Hein) is a short form of the name
Heinrich, (the German form of the name Henry) & Bokel is a place name in Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein & North Rhine-Westphalia.
Heisenberg GermanMade up of German words
heis and
berg, ultimately meaning “hot mountain.” This was the name of theoretical physicist Werner Heisenberg and the alias of Walter White in Breaking Bad.
Heitmeyer GermanGerman: distinguishing nickname for a farmer whose land included heathland, from Middle Low German heide ‘heath’, ‘wasteland’ +
Meyer.
Helber GermanOccupational name for a thresher, from Middle High German helwe 'chaff' + the agent suffix -er; alternatively, it could be a habitational name from a place called Helba near Meiningen.
Helbling GermanMeaning "half penny" or a cheap /stingy man Know surname in Germany andSwitzerland. Helblings were French Huguenot
Held GermanThe German word for "hero", ultimately derived from Middle High German
helt.... [
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Helder Dutch, German, Upper German, English1. Dutch and German: from a Germanic personal name
Halidher, composed of the elements
haliò “hero” +
hari,
heri “army”, or from another personal name,
Hildher, composed of the elements
hild “strife”, “battle” + the same second element... [
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Helfer GermanMetonymic occupational name for an assistant of some kind, or nickname for a helpful person, from Middle High German hëlfære, German Helfer 'helper', 'assistant'.
Hellenbrand GermanDerived from germanic: hildtja = battle, brandt = sword, or prandt = burning wood/torch. Other view: Hilda is the Nordic Queen of the Underworld, Goddes of Death, so Sword/Torch of Hilda.... [
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Heller GermanNickname from the small medieval coin known as the häller or heller because it was first minted (in 1208) at the Swabian town of (Schwäbisch) Hall.
Hellmich GermanDerived from a personal name composed of the Germanic elements
helm "helmet" and
wig "battle".
Hellwig German, DutchCuriously it started out life in ancient history as the baptismal name, Hell-wig. "luck" & "war;" this name literally translates to, "battle-battle."
Helmeyer German, Dutch, DanishFrom Hel in Norse mythology and Meyer meaning "higher, superior". It means ´blessed´ or ´holy´. The name is mostly found in Germany, but also in the Netherlands and some parts of Denmark.
Hence German, English, WelshAn American spelling variant of
Hentz derived from a German nickname for
Hans or
Heinrich or from an English habitation name found in Staffordshire or Shropshire and meaning "road or path" in Welsh.
Hendrickson GermanDerivative of the Old German personnel “Heimric” meaning “home rule”.
Hengst German, Dutchmetonymic occupational name for someone who worked with or bred horses or a nickname for a brave strong man from Middle High German and Middle Dutch
hengest "stallion" also "gelding" derived from Old Germanic
hangist "stallion"... [
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Henker GermanOccupational name for an Executioner, from the German word "Henker" meaning Hangman.
Henley English, Irish, German (Anglicized)English: habitational name from any of the various places so called. Most, for example those in Oxfordshire, Suffolk, and Warwickshire, are named with Old English
héan (the weak dative case of
heah ‘high’, originally used after a preposition and article) + Old English
leah ‘wood’, ‘clearing’... [
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Hennard FrenchFrom the ancient Germanic personal name
Haginhard composed of the elements
hag "enclosure protected place" and
hard "strong hardy".
Herbarth German, NormanReferences Old Norse Deity "Odin" being one of the "Son's of Odin". Remember that the Geats became the Ostrogoths through the Denmark pass--referenced in Beowulf. Or, it means "Warrior of the Bearded One", perhaps a King... [
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Herbolsheimer GermanHabitational name for someone from either of two places called Herbolzheim, in Baden and Bavaria.
Herbst German, JewishNickname from Middle High German
herbest "harvest". The modern German word
herbst has come to mean "fall" the time of year when the harvest takes place... [
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Herbster GermanOccupational name for a grape picker or vintner from Middle High German
herbest "(grape) harvest".
Herder GermanAn occupational surname in reference to herding animals. The anglicized pronounciation is "Her-der", but is Germanically pronounced, "Herr-der".
Hergenöther GermanHabitational name for someone from Hergenroth near Limburg or from Hergenrode near Darmstadt, both in Hessen.
Hermès FrenchEither a topographic name for someone who lived in a deserted spot or on a patch of waste land from Occitan
erm "desert waste" (from Greek
erēmia) and the topographic suffix -
ès, or from the given name
Hermès.