Submitted Surnames with "occupational" in Description

Henker German
Occupational name for an Executioner, from the German word "Henker" meaning Hangman.

Herald English
Occupational name for a herald.

Herbster German
Occupational name for a grape picker or vintner from Middle High German herbest "(grape) harvest".

Herder German
An occupational surname in reference to herding animals. The anglicized pronounciation is "Her-der", but is Germanically pronounced, "Herr-der".

Herfurth German
Either a metonymic occupational name for a soldier from Middle High German hervart "campaign military expedition" (from Old High German heri "army" and vart "journey")... [more]

Herradura Spanish (Philippines)
Means "horseshoe" in Spanish, possibly an occupational name for someone who worked with horseshoes.

Herring German, English, Dutch, Scottish
Occupational name for a fisherman, someone who caught or sold herring, or perhaps someone known for eating herring. It could have also been a nickname from the medieval phrase "to like neither herring nor barrel", meaning something of little value.

Heuermann German
Occupational name for (a freshly hired hand, a day laborer) from Middle High German huren "to hire" and man "man".

Heumann German
Occupational name from German heu meaning "hay".

Hew English
English: variant of the name Hugh. This was at one time the usual form of the personal name in Scotland. English: occupational name from Middle English hewe ‘domestic servant’

Heyer German, Dutch
Occupational name for a grower or reaper of grass for hay, from Middle High German höu "grass, hay" and the agent suffix -er. Could also be a variant spelling of Heier.

Hillier English
Occupational name for a roof tiler or thatcher from Middle English helier "roofer, slater, tiler", ultimately derived from Old English helan "to hide, conceal, cover".

Hine English
occupational name from Middle English Old English hine "servant member of a household" also "farm laborer" (such as a herdsman or shepherd)... [more]

Hipp German
From the middle high German word hippe meaning "waffle". Perhaps an occupational name for someone who cooks waffles.

Hodder English
Occupational name for a maker or seller of hoods, from a Middle English agent derivative of Old English hod

Hoed Dutch
Means "hat, cover", an occupational name for a hatmaker.

Hoen Dutch, German
From Middle Dutch hoen "chicken, hen", perhaps a nickname denoting a silly or foolish person, or an occupational name for someone who raised chickens.

Hogg English
An occupational name for someone who herded swine.

Holder German, Jewish, English
1. German: topographic name for someone who lived by an elder tree. Middle High German holder, or from a house named for its sign of an elder tree. In same areas, for example Alsace, the elder tree was believed to be the protector of a house... [more]

Hollier English, French
Occupational name for a male brothel keeper, from a dissimilated variant of Old French horier "pimp", which was the agent noun of hore "whore, prostitute". Hollier was probably also used as an abusive nickname in Middle English and Old French.... [more]

Hollister English
An occupational name for a female brothel-keeper, a feminine form of Hollier.

Holman English
Uncertain etymology. Could be a topographic name derived from Old English holh "hollow, hole" or holm, which can mean either "holly" or "small island" (see Holme), combined with man "man, person"... [more]

Holzhauer German
Occupational name for a "lumberjack, woodsman" with the element holz "forest".

Holzschuh German
Occupational - from German holz "wood", and schuh "shoe".

Homolka Czech
From homolka meaning "(cone-shaped lump of) cream cheese". The word homolka itself is derived from homole "cone". This was either a nickname for a mild person or an occupational name for someone who made cheese.

Hoorn German (Austrian)
From the Germanic word horn meaning "horn". This was an occupational name for one who carved objects out of horn or who played a horn, or a person who lived near a horn-shaped geographical feature, such as a mountain or a bend in a river.

Hop Dutch
Variant form of Hopp. Alternatively, an occupational name derived from Dutch hop referring to the common hop (Humulus lupus), a kind of plant traditionally used to preserve and flavour beer.

Hopf German
An occupational name for a brewer or farmer, from German Hopfen meaning "hops", a plant used in preserving and flavouring beer.

Horta Catalan, Portuguese
Means "garden" (Latin hortus), hence a topographic name for someone who lived by an enclosed garden or an occupational name for one who was a gardener.

Hosekin Dutch (Archaic)
Occupational name for a maker or seller of hose (garments for the legs), from Middle Dutch hose "stocking, boot".

Hosner German
Occupational name for a knitter of hose (garments for the legs), from the plural form of Middle High German hose + the agent suffix -er (see Hose 3).

Hotchner Scottish, English
An occupational surname for a person who drove cattle.

Hottmann German
probably either from an ancient Germanic personal name formed with hut "protection helmet" (compare German hut "hat")... [more]

Houdin French
Variant of Bodin , a pet form of Bodo, a short form of any of various ancient Germanic personal names with the element bod ‘messenger’.... [more]

Hout Dutch
Means "wood, forest", a Dutch cognate of Holt. Can also be an occupational name (see Houtman).

Hoy English
Metonymic occupational name for a sailor, from Middle Dutch hoey "cargo ship".

Hucko Slovak
Hucko is from a diminutive of the occupational name Hudec meaning 'fiddler'.

Hudec Czech, Slovak
Occupational name for a fiddler, hudec, a derivative of housti meaning "to play the fiddle".

Hufnagel German
Metonymic occupational name for a farrier from Middle High German hufnagel "horseshoe nail" (literally "hoof nail"). Derived from huof "hoof" and nagal "nail".

Huisman Dutch
Literally "houseman", an occupational name for a farmer, specifically one who owned his own farm.

Human English, South African, Dutch
Means "Hugh’s man", an occupational name for a servant of a man named Hugh. Alternatively, from the given name Hugheman.

Hundt German
From Middle High German hund "dog" applied as a metonymic occupational name for a keeper of dogs for hunting or other purposes or as a nickname for someone thought to resemble a dog in any of many possible physical or abstract ways.

Hütter German
German and Jewish (Ashkenazic): occupational name for a hatter from an agent derivative of Middle High German huot ‘hat’; Yiddish hut, German Hut ‘hat’. German (Hütter): topographic name from Middle High German hütte ‘hut’... [more]

Ienca Italian (Rare)
Derived from a regional variant of Italian giovenca "heifer (young cow that has not had a calf)", derived from Latin iuvenca "heifer; young woman". Could be a nickname, an occupational name for a cowherd or milker, or a toponymic surname from any of several locations named with the element ienca or jenca... [more]

Infante Spanish
From infante literally "child", but in Spain also a title borne by the eldest sons of noblemen before they inherited, and in particular by the son of the king of Castile; thus the surname probably originated either as a nickname for one of a lordly disposition or as an occupational name for a member of the household of an infante.

Inga Italian, Spanish
Possibly from Sicilian inga "ink", an occupational name for a scribe. Alternatively, it could derive from the Germanic given name Inge.

Inman English (British)
Anglo-Saxon in Origin. Occupational surname given to a person who "tended a lodge or an inn". Surname first found in Lancashire, England.

Insalaco Italian, Sicilian
Believed to come from an occupational name for a tanner in Arabic, which would be دباغ (dabbag), combined with the southern Italian prefix in- meaning "from the family of".

Jägerstätter Medieval German
Jäger meaning "hunter" + stätter, a suffix indicating a dwelling or home, literally translates to "hunter's dwelling" or "hunter's home".... [more]

Jardin French, English
Derived from Old French jardin meaning "enclosure, garden", hence a topographic name for someone who lived by a garden or a metonymic occupational name for someone who worked as a gardener.

Jaunzeme Latvian
Feminine form of Jaunzems, a Latvian occupational surname meaning "new farmer", composed of jauns meaning "new" and zeme meaning "land" (compare zemlja).

Javaheri Persian
Occupational name for a jeweller from Persian جواهر (javaher) meaning "jewel".

Jenner English
Occupational name for an engineer.

Jessie English
Possibly a variant of Jessey, an occupational name for someone making jesses (a short strap fastened around the leg of a bird used in falconry).

Judge English
Occupational name for a public official whose duty it is to administer the law, or a nickname for someone who acted like a judge, derived from Old French juge "judge, arbiter", from Latin iudex.

Juhasov Slovak
Hungarian (Juhász): occupational name for a shepherd from juh 'sheep' + the occupational suffix -ász.

Jupin French
from a diminutive of Old French jupe a term denoting a long woolen garment hence a metonymic occupational name for a maker or seller (or a nickname for a wearer) of such garments. This word ultimately derives from Arabic.

Kachel German
Occupational name for a potter, from Middle High German kachel "pot", "earthenware vessel".

Kaeser German, German (Swiss)
Occupational name for a cheesemaker or a cheese merchant from an agent derivative of Middle High German kæse "cheese". Variant of Käser.

Kahveci Turkish
Occupational name for a coffee seller or producer, derived from Turkish kahve meaning "coffee".

Kakos Hungarian
Habitational name from a place in Szatmár County. Also a variant of Kakas, from kakas meaning "rooster", hence a nickname for someone thought to resemble a rooster or a metonymic occupational name for a farmer who kept chickens.

Kalejs Latvian
Occupational name for someone who works as a blacksmith.

Kalk German, Dutch
Occupational name for a lime burner from Middle High German kalc and Middle Dutch calk "lime" (both a loanword from Latin calx).

Kalkbrenner German
Occupational name for a lime burner from Middle High German kalc "chalk lime" and brenner "burner".

Kalkreuth German
Derived from German kalk meaning "lime," and reut meaning "cleared land". Most likely an occupational name for a lime burner.

Kalp German, Jewish
From Middle High German kalp ‘calf’, German Kalb, probably applied as a metonymic occupational name for someone who reared calves.

Kamble Indian, Marathi, Konkani
Occupational name for a weaver of blankets or a nickname for a person who often carried blankets with them, derived from Sanskrit कम्बल (kambala) meaning "blanket".

Kamm German, Estonian
Means "comb" in German, an occupational name for a wool comber or fuller, or perhaps a maker of combs. In some cases it might have been used in the sense of "ridge of mountains, hills", making it a topographic name... [more]

Kämpf German, Jewish
From middle high German kampf, German kamf "fight, struggle" an occupational name for a champion a professional fighter (see Kemp ) or a nickname for someone with a pugnacious temperament.

Kan Dutch
Means "jug, teapot, can" in Dutch, from Middle Dutch kanne "pitcher, tankard, flagon", a metonymic occupational name for a potter, pewterer, or tinsmith.

Kanat Turkish
Occupational name for a seller of poultry from Turkish kanat meaning "(bird) wing".

Kandt German
Probably from Middle High German kant meaning "jug" (from Latin olla cannata meaning "pot with one spout") and hence an occupational name for a maker or seller of jugs.

Kanis Dutch, German
Dutch metonymic occupational name for a pedler from Dutch kanis "basket hamper". variant of Canis a humanistic surname a translation into Latin of Dutch De Hond or De Hondt German Hund or Hundt surnames meaning "dog"... [more]

Kanner German Jewish
Occupational name for a person who makes jugs. It was borne by Leo Kanner who first recorded the neurological disorder, Autism

Kanters Dutch
An occupational name for a singer, such as a precentor (someone who leads songs or prayers in a church, monastery, or synagogue) or choir member. Ultimately derived from Latin cantor "singer, leader of song at a ceremony; prayer leader in a Jewish ceremony".

Kapadia Indian, Gujarati
Occupational name for a cloth maker from Gujarati કાપડ (kāpaḍ) meaning "cloth, fabric".

Kapel Dutch, Dutch (Surinamese)
Means "chapel" in Dutch, a habitational name for someone who lived near a chapel (or in a place named after one), or an occupational name for a chaplain.

Kapela Polish
Occupational name for a musician, derived from Polish kapela "music band; court orchestra".

Kapetanović Croatian, Bosnian
Occupational surname derived from kapetan meaning "captain".

Karch Jewish
1 Jewish (Ashkenazic): Americanized spelling of Karcz .... [more]

Karki Nepali
Occupational name for a tax collector from Nepali कर (kar) meaning "tax" (ultimately of Sanskrit origin).

Karman Jewish
From Russian карман (karman) meaning "pocket, bag pocket", probably an occupational name for someone who made such items. Alternatively, could derive from Hungarian Kármán.

Karmazinas Lithuanian
Perhaps a habitational name taken from the Lithuanian village Karmazinai. The name of the village is allegedly derived from Polish karmazyn "crimson". See also Karmazsin, a Hungarian occupational name for a dyer or for someone making dyestuff (taken directly from Hungarian karmazsin "crimson").

Karp Polish
From Middle High German karp(f)e Middle Low German karpe or Slavic (Russian and Polish) and Yiddish karp ‘carp’ hence a metonymic occupational name for a carp fisherman or seller of these fish or a nickname for someone thought to resemble the fish.... [more]

Kartmann German
Derived from German karte meaning "card". Possibly an occupational name for someone who makes, sells or trades cards. In an alternative representation, it could be a nickname for someone who gambles.

Käsemann German
Occupational name for someone who makes or sells cheese.

Käser German, German (Swiss)
occupational name for a cheesemaker or a cheese merchant (see Kaeser ). topographic name for someone who lived by a summer dairy in the Alps from a Tyrolean dialect word derived from Ladin casura... [more]

Katsav Hebrew
Occupational name for a butcher, derived from Hebrew קַצָּב (qatzav) meaning "butcher, purveyor of meat". A famous bearer is former Israeli president Moshe Katsav (1945-), born Musa Qassab.

Katzir Hebrew
Occupational name derived from Hebrew קָצִיר (qatsiyr) meaning ""harvesting, reaping", ultimately from קָצַר (qatsar). A famous bearer was the Israeli president and scientist Ephraim Katzir (1916-2009), born Efraim Katchalski.

Kau German
From Middle High German gehau "(mountain) clearing" hence a topographic name for a mountain dweller or possibly an occupational name for a logger.

Kauk German
probably a variant of Kauke from Middle Low German koke "cake" (dialect kauke) hence a metonymic occupational name for a baker or confectioner or a nickname for a cake lover.

Kauke German
Variant of Kauk from Middle high German kauke "cake" hence a metonymic occupational name for a baker or confectioner or a nickname for a cake lover.

Kaut German
Netonymic occupational name for a flax grower or dealer, from Middle High German kute, from Kaut(e) "male dove", hence a metonymic occupational name for the owner or keeper of a dovecote.

Kazan Jewish
From Hebew chazan, which is an occupational name for a cantor in a synagogue.

Kazan Greek
Reduced form of Kazandis which is an occupational surname for a maker of cauldrons or someone who uses a cauldron for the distillation of ouzo or raki... [more]

Kazancı Turkish
Occupational name for a maker or seller of cauldrons, kettles or boilers, from Turkish kazan meaning "cauldron, boiler".

Kebel German (Americanized)
Possibly an Americanized form of German Kübel "tub, vat", a metonymic occupational name for a cooper or barrel-maker.

Keel English
English habitational name from Keele in Staffordshire, named from Old English cy ‘cows’ + hyll ‘hill’, or from East and West Keal in Lincolnshire, which are named from Old Norse kjolr ‘ridge’... [more]

Keeler English
English: occupational name for a boatman or boatbuilder, from an agent derivative of Middle English kele ‘ship’, ‘barge’ (from Middle Dutch kiel). Americanized spelling of German Kühler, from a variant of an old personal name (see Keeling) or a variant of Kühl.

Keicher German
from the East Prussian dialect word keicher "small cake, pastry" hence a metonymic occupational name for a pastry chef or cook.

Kelch German
nickname from Middle High German kelch "double chin", "goiter". from another meaning of Middle High German kelch "glass", "chalice", hence a metonymic occupational name for a chalice maker or a habitational name for someone living at a house distinguished by the sign of a chalice.

Kellner German, Dutch, Jewish, Czech, Slovak, Polish, Hungarian, French
Means "waiter, cellarman" in German, ultimately derived from Latin cellarium "pantry, cellar, storeroom". This was an occupational name for a steward, a castle overseer, or a server of wine.

Kemmer German
Kemmer is a surname. The surname Kemmer is an occupational surname. Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Old German word "kämmerer," which means "chamberlain." A chamberlain was the person in charge of the noble household; to him would fall the duty of ensuring that the castle and court of the noble ran smoothly... [more]

Kemper German, Dutch
From Kamp "field, piece of land", an occupational name denoting a peasant farmer. It could also indicate someone from a place named using the element. Alternatively, a variant of Kempf meaning "fighter".

Kempes German, Dutch
German and Dutch variant of Kemp or Kamp. It could also be a habitational name for a person from any of the various places named Kempen on the border between Germany and the Netherlands (for example the town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, close to the Dutch border), a status name for a peasant farmer or serf, or an occupational name for an official calibrator who marked the correct weight and measures for verification, derived from Middle Low German kempen... [more]

Kepler German
From Middle High German kappe meaning "hooded cloak". This was an occupational name for someone who made these kind of garments. A notable bearer was German astronomer and mathematician Johannes Kepler (1571–1630).

Kern German, Dutch, Jewish
Means "kernel, grain, core" in Dutch, German, and Yiddish (as קערן), an occupational name for a farmer or a nickname for a physically small person. As a Jewish name, it is ornamental.

Kessel German
Occupational name for a maker of cooking vessels from Middle High German kezzel meaning "kettle, cauldron, boiler".

Khandakar Bengali
Means "teacher, scholar" (literally "one who reads"), derived from Persian خواندن (khandan) meaning "to read, to study" and the occupational suffix گار (kar).

Kidder English
English: possibly an occupational name from early modern English kidd(i)er ‘badger’, a licensed middleman who bought provisions from farmers and took them to market for resale at a profit, or alternatively a variant of Kidman... [more]

Kidman English
Occupational name for a goatherd or someone in charge of young livestock, from Middle English kid "young goat" and man.

Kiebler German
Comes from the Middle High German word "kübel" meaning a "vat," or "barrel." As such it was an occupational name for a cooper, or barrel maker.

Kiehl Medieval Low German
From Middle Low German kil ‘wedge’, applied as a metonymic occupational name or as a pejorative nickname for a ruffian. Possibly a habitational name from Kiel in Schleswig-Holstein, from Dutch and Frisian kil ‘stagnant water’ (see Kiel)... [more]

Kiel German
German surname of several possible origins and meanings.... [more]

Kiel Dutch
From Middle Dutch kidel, kedel "smock", hence a metonymic occupational name for someone who make such garments or perhaps a nickname for someone who habitually wore one. Also a Dutch habitational name from a place so named in Antwerp or from the German city Kiel in Schleswig-Holstein.

Kimmel German, Jewish
Derived from Middle High German kumin and German kümmel meaning "caraway" (related to Latin cuminum, a word of Oriental origin, like the plant itself), hence a metonymic occupational name for a spicer, literally a supplier of caraway seeds... [more]

Kimmich German
The surname hence a metonymic occupational name for a spicer.

Kinderknecht German
Occupational name for a servant in charge of the children at a manor, derived from kinder (plural of kind) meaning "child" and knecht meaning "servant".

Kindermann German, Jewish
occupational name for a schoolteacher literally "children man", from the elements kind "child" and man "man".

Kircher German
from Middle High German kirchner "minister, sexton patron" hence an occupational name for a priest or a church assistant.

Kirchmann German
From Middle High German kirihha "church" and man "man" hence an occupational name for someone working in the service of the church or possibly a topographic name for someone living near a church... [more]

Kirschenmann German
from Middle High German kirsche "cherry" and man "man" an occupational name for a grower or seller of cherries or a topographic name.

Kitchenham English
Occupational surname for a person who was in charge of the kitchen in a royal or noble house, or a monastery. From the Anglo Saxon cycene (German: Küche Dutch: kjøkken Latin: cocina Italian: cucina)

Kitching English
The surname is thought to have originally been an occupational name for a cook, deriving from the Old English word cycen.

Klaver Dutch
Means "clover" in Dutch, a topographic name for someone who lived by a field of clovers or a sign depicting them, or an occupational name for a clover farmer.

Kleiber German
Derived from an agent Middle High German kleben "to stick or bind" an occupational name for a builder working with clay or in Swabia for someone who applied whitewash. in Bavaria and Austria an occupational name for a shingle maker from Middle High German klieben "to split (wood or stone)".

Kleindienst German
Originally an occupational name for a farmhand or laborer, who was second in line to a more highly paid class of servant. Derived from German klein meaning "small, little" and dienst meaning "service, duty".

Kleinknecht German
A combining of the German word klein "small" and knecht "servant", originally an occupational name for a secondary hired hand. A famous historic figure who bore this surname was Jakob Friedrich Kleinknecht (8 April 1722 in Ulm - 11 August 1794 in Ansbach), a German composer of many works of chamber music and symphonies, flutist and Kapellmeister (chapel master).

Kleinschmidt German
Occupational surname which means "small smith", that is, a maker of small forged items and metal hand tools.

Kliebert German
Occupational name for a woodsman or woodworker, from an agent derivative of Middle High German klieben meaning "to cleave or split".

Kliewer German, German (West Prussian), Mennonite
Germanized form of Dutch Kluiver, an occupational name for a court official, originally a hangman or torturer.

Kling Dutch
Occupational surname meaning "blade" in Dutch, referring to a person who made knives. A Dutch cognate of Messer.

Klingbeil German
From Middle High German klingen "to ring or sound" and bīl "axe", literally "sound the axe", an occupational nickname for a journeyman, carpenter, shipwright (or any occupation involving the use of an axe)... [more]

Klingemann German
Occupational surname for a knife maker, literally meaning "knife maker, weapons smith". It is derived from German klinge meaning "blade".

Klingler German
Occupational name for a bladesmith.

Klobučar Slovene, Croatian, Serbian
Occupational name derived from Serbian, Croatian and Slovene klobučar meaning "hatter" (a derivative of klobuk meaning "hat"), originally indicating a person who made, sold or repaired hats.

Klock German, Dutch
As a German name this is formed from German glocke "bell", ultimately possibly borrowed from the Irish clocc "bell". It may be an occupational name for a crier or bell ringer, or an habitational name for someone who lived closer to a bell or the sign of a bell... [more]

Klok Dutch
From Middle Dutch clocke "bell", an occupational name for someone who made or rang bells, or perhaps for a clockmaker. Compare Van Der Klok and Kloek.

Klomp Dutch, Low German
Means both "lump, block, compact heap" and "clog, wooden shoe" in Dutch, often an occupational name for someone who made such shoes. It could also be a nickname for a stocky or clumsy person, or a habitational name for someone who lived by a sign depicting a clog.

Kloosterboer Dutch
Occupational name derived from Dutch klooster meaning "monastery, convent, cloister" and boer meaning "peasant, farmer".

Klopfer German, Jewish (Ashkenazi)
Derived from Middle High German klopfen "to knock, pound, hammer", an occupational name for a clothmaker, metalworker, miner, or hunter. As a Jewish name, it can refer to a shulklopfer, someone who knocks to call people to synagogue.

Knapp German
Occupational name from the German word Knapp or Knappe, a variant of Knabe "young unmarried man". In the 15th century this spelling acquired the separate, specialized meanings "servant", "apprentice", or "miner"... [more]

Knecht German, German (Swiss), Dutch
Means "servant, assistant" in German and Dutch, an occupational name for a journeyman or male servant derived from Old Germanic kneht meaning "servant, knight" or "youth, boy"... [more]

Knick German
German: from Knick “hedge”, “boundary”, hence a topographic name for someone living near a hedge or hedged enclosure or a metonymic occupational name for someone who lays hedges. Hedging is a characteristic feature of the pastureland of Holstein, Mecklenburg, Westphalia, and Lower Saxony.

Knickerbocker Dutch (Americanized)
Americanized spelling of the Dutch occupational name Knickerbacker "marble baker", i.e., a baker of children's clay marbles. This lowly occupation became synonymous with the patrician class in NYC through Washington Irving's attribution of his History of New York (1809) to a fictitious author named Diedrich Knickerbocker... [more]

Knoedler German
Occupational name, probably for someone who made dumplings, from an agent derivative of Middle High German knödel.

Knol Dutch
Derived from Middle Dutch knolle "tuber, turnip, lump of earth", a nickname for a fat or clumsy person, or an occupational name for a farmer.

Kő Hungarian
From kő ‘stone’, a word from the ancient Finno-Ugric word stock of Hungarian (cognate with Finnish kivi, Estonian keve), hence a topographic name for someone who lived on stony ground or by a notable outcrop of rock, or alternatively a metonymic occupational name for a mason or stonecutter.

Kober German, Jewish (Ashkenazi)
From Middle High German kober "basket". This was used as either an occupational name for a basket maker or a nickname for someone who carried a basket on his back.

Kodikara Sinhalese
Derived from Sinhala කොඩිය (kodiya) meaning "flag, banner" and Sanskrit कार (kara) meaning "maker, doer", possibly an occupational name for a person who made flags.

Koelewijn Dutch
Derived from Dutch koel "cool, cold" and wei "whey", a metonymic occupational name for a dairy farmer. Altered by folk etymology to mean "cool wine". Can also derive from a place name.

Koelzer German
From a noun derived from kolzen "ankle boots" (from Latin calceus "half-boot walking shoe") hence an occupational name for a boot maker or a cobbler. Or a habitational name for someone from Kölzen near Merseburg.

Koerner German
Koerner is an occupational name for a grain merchant or possibly an administrator of a granary. ... [more]

Koger German
South German: occupational name for a knacker, from an agent derivative of koge ‘carrion’.

Kohlman German
This surname comes from the Middle High German word kol which translates into English as coal. However, German Kohl, kol or Kohle also translate into English as cabbage. Middle High German man and German Mann translate into English as man... [more]

Kohr German
1. occupational name for a guard or watchman on a tower, Middle Low German kure.... [more]

Kojo Japanese
Occupational name for a gardener.

Kolarov Serbian, Bulgarian
An occupational surname derived from kolar, meaning "wheelwright".

Kolber German
From an agent derived from Middle High German kolbe "club, cudgel" an occupational name for someone who made wooden clubs later for an armorer, or a habitational name for someone from Kolben in Württemberg or Cölbe in Hesse.

Kołodziejczak Polish
Occupational name for a person who made or repaired wheels, from Polish kołodziej meaning "wheelwright".

Konopásek Czech
From konopa meaning "hemp", probably an occupational name for a rope maker.

Kooij Dutch
From Dutch kooi meaning "cage", often referring to a pen or duck decoy (a plot of land with a pond set aside to lure in ducks). Occupational name for someone who raised or hunted ducks, or who made cages.

Kopernik Polish
Occupational name for a copper miner or copper smelter.

Korbel Czech
Occupational name for a maker of drinking vessels, from korbel "tankard".

Koren Slovene, Hebrew
Koren is a surname which has multiple origins. Koren may be a variant of the German occupational surname Korn, meaning a dealer in grain. Alternatively, it may be a variant of the Greek female name Kora... [more]

Kormos Hungarian
Means "sooty" in Hungarian. Most likely a nickname for someone with dark hair or a shabby appearance, but may also be an occupational name for a house painter who used soot as a raw material. ... [more]

Korn German
From Middle High German korn "grain", a metonymic occupational name for a factor or dealer in grain or a nickname for a peasant.

Korver Dutch
Derived from Dutch korf meaning "basket", an occupational name for someone who either made baskets or used them, such as a fisherman.

Kotlarz Polish, Jewish
Occupational name for a boilermaker or coppersmith, from the Polish word kotlarz meaning "boilermaker".

Kowalewski Polish, Jewish
Habitational name for someone from places called Kowalew or Kowalewo, named with kowal "smith" or an occupational name for a blacksmith.

Kraan Dutch
Means "crane" in Dutch, referring to both the bird and the machine. Usually a nickname for a tall or long-legged person, but can also be an occupational name for someone who worked a mechanical crane, or a habitational name from a place containing the element kraan.

Krabbe German, Dutch, Danish
Means "crab, shrimp", either a metonymic occupational name for someone who caught or sold shellfish, or a nickname based on someone’s way of walking.

Krag Danish, Norwegian, German (Rare)
An occupational name for someone making collars, or a nickname for someone wearing one. Ultimately from Middle Low German krage "collar".

Krapikas Lithuanian
From Lithuanian krapas meaning "dill". An occupational name for someone who grows or sells dill.

Kratt German
German metonymic occupational name for a ''basketmaker'', from Middle High German kratte ''basket''.

Kraut German
metonymic occupational name for a market gardener or a herbalist from Middle High German krūt "herb plant; cabbage".

Krengel German, Jewish
An occupational name for a pastry chef from Middle High German krengel German kringel "(cake) ring doughnut". As a Jewish name this may also have been adopted as artificial name.

Kress German
From Middle High German kresse "gudgeon", hence probably a nickname for someone thought to resemble the fish in some way or an occupational name for a fisherman.

Kretzer German
Occupational name for a basketmaker or a peddler, from an agent derivative of Middle High German kretze 'basket'.

Krier German, Luxembourgish
Occupational name from Middle High German krier "herald".

Kritzman German, Jewish
German (Kritzmann): topographic name for someone living near a cross.... [more]

Kroes Dutch, Low German
Means "chalice, cup, jug" in Dutch, an occupational name for someone who made drinking vessels, such as a potter. Could also be a habitational name for someone who lived by a sign depicting a cup.

Kross Low German
Occupational name for a maker of mugs and jugs, from Middle Low German krus, kros 'pitcher', 'ceramic drinking vessel'.

Krouwel Dutch
From Middle Dutch crauwel meaning "trident, hook, claw", an occupational name for someone who used such a tool, or habitational name for someone who lived near a landmark depicting it.

Krumholz Jewish, German
German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) from Krumbholz ‘bent timber’, ‘mountain pine’, hence probably a metonymic occupational name for a cartwright or wheelwright. As a Jewish surname it is ornamental.

Kübler German, German (Swiss)
Derived from Middle High German kübel "tub vat barrel", this is an occupational surname referring to a cooper.

Kuch German
German metonymic occupational name for a pastry cook, from German kuchen ‘cake’, or simply a variant of Koch ‘cook’.

Kuchenmeister German
Occupational name for a master cook (literally "kitchen master"), a court official.

Kucher German
Occupational name for a pastry cook from an agent derivative of Middle High German kuoche "cake pastry".

Kuijt Dutch
Occupational name for a brewer of beer, derived from Dutch kuit, koyt literally meaning "beer". A famous bearer of this name is retired Dutch soccer player Dirk Kuijt (1980-), also known as Dirk Kuyt.

Kul German, Dutch
Derived from Old High German kol meaning "coal", perhaps an occupational name for a miner or coal seller.

Kummell German
From the German word "Kümmel", which means caraway, a spice. Kummell is an occupational surname referring to someone who grew, sold, or used caraway in trade (e.g., a spice merchant, herbalist, or apothecary)... [more]

Kumpf Old High German
Derived from the Middle High German word “kumpf”, meaning bowl, pot, or cup. It was originally used as a nickname or occupational name for a potter or vessel maker.

Kupfer German, Jewish
German (Küpfer) and Jewish (Ashkenazic) metonymic occupational name for a worker or trader in copper, Middle High German kupfer, German Kupfer ‘copper’... [more]

Kürschner German
Occupational name for a furrier, Middle High German kürsenære, from Middle High German kürsen meaning "fur coat".

Kuşçu Turkish
Occupational name for a breeder, seller or trainer of birds, from Turkish kuş meaning "bird".

Kutsch German
Topographic name of Slavic origin, from Sorbian kut ‘corner’, ‘nook’. Variant of Kutsche, metonymic occupational name for a coachman or coachbuilder, from the Hungarian loanword kocsi (see Kocsis).

Kutscher German, Jewish
occupational name for a coachman or coach builder from a derivative of the 16th-century Hungarian loanword kocsi "coach" German kutsche. The German -u- vowel comes from Slavic (Polish kucer).

Kutzer German
Occupational name for a coachman or coach builder from old high German kutsche from Hungarian kocsi "coach". Variant of Kutscher.

Laborde French
Derived from the French word borde meaning "small farm" (from Frankish bord meaning "plank") with the definite article la. This is an occupational surname for a tenant farmer.

Lace English
Possibly a nickname for someone who wore braided laces as clothing ties or a belt, or an occupational name for someone made such articles.

Lacour French
topographic or occupational name for someone who lived at or was employed at a manorial court (see also Court).

Lakeman Dutch
Either a topographic name for someone who lived by a lake or pond, from Middle Dutch lake "lake, pool; stream, marshland" and man "person, man", or an occupational name from laken "broadcloth".

Lana Italian, Spanish
Means "wool" in Spanish and Italian. Occupational name for a wool merchant.

Lance French
From Old French lance "lance, long spear", an occupational name for a soldier or a nickname for a fighter who used the weapon.

Lançon French
Can be a habitational name from any of several locations in France, a diminutive form of Lance, or possibly derived from Old French lançon "branch", a topographic name for someone living in a forested area or an occupational name for a woodcutter... [more]

Lanier French, English
Occupational name designating one who worked in the wool trade (see Lane 2), derived from Old French lanier (ultimately from laine) meaning "wool", or for a keeper of donkeys, from Old French asnier literally "donkey keeper, donkey driver"... [more]

Lapp German
From Middle High German lap(pe) ‘cloth’, ‘patch’, ‘rag’; a metonymic occupational name for a mender of clothes or shoes, or a nickname for a simple-minded person.... [more]

Lasalle French
1. French: local name or occupational name for someone who lived or worked at a manor house, from Old French sal(e) ‘hall’ (modern French salle; see also Sale), with the definite article la... [more]

Laster English
Occupational name for a shoemaker, or for someone who made lasts, a wooden tool in the shape of a foot used for stretching and shaping leather when making boots.

Latimer English
Occupational name for an interpreter or clerk who wrote documents in Latin, ultimately derived from Latin latinarius "interpreter, speaker of Latin".

Lato Hungarian, Polish
From Hungarian látni meaning ‘to see’, hence a nickname for a wise person or an occupational name for a clairvoyant, or possibly for an official who checked the quality of products at markets.... [more]

Läufer German, Jewish
Habitational name for someone from a place called Lauf, also an occupational name for a messenger or a nickname for a fast runner, from an agent derivative of Middle High German loufen, German laufen ‘to run’.

Lauffer German
The lauffer name is generally thought to have evolved from a place name to a surname. ... Versions of the name that evolve from the word "läufer," which meant "runner," are thought to have originally been an occupational name for a messenger.

Lauwer Flemish
Occupational name for a tanner, from Dutch looien "to tan (leather)".

Lavender English, Dutch
Occupational name for a washerman or launderer, Old French, Middle Dutch lavendier (Late Latin lavandarius, an agent derivative of lavanda "washing", "things to be washed"). The term was applied especially to a worker in the wool industry who washed the raw wool or rinsed the cloth after fulling... [more]

Laver English
Occupational name for a washer, from French laveur (see Lavers). Also the name of a parish in Essex, England.

Laverdiere French (Quebec)
Said to be a locational or occupational name related to land and greenery. Related to the Cauchons, descended from Quebec. A noble Paris woman was sent to Quebec for marriage in the 17th century.

Lavers English
English (chiefly Devon and Cornwall): Medieval English and occupational, from pre-10th century Old French "lavandier". Introduced by the Normans after 1066, originally described a worker in the wool industry, and was a metonymic or nickname for a person employed to wash raw wool or rinse the cloth after fulling... [more]

Leachman English
Occupational name for a physician’s servant, from Leach 1 + Middle English man ‘manservant’.

Leather English, Scottish
A metonymic occupational name for a leatherworker or seller of leather goods, and derived from Middle English and Old English lether meaning "leather".

LeBoeuf French
Nickname for a powerfully built man, derived from French boeuf meaning "bull", with the definite article le. In some cases it may have been originally a metonymic occupational name for a herdsman.

Leconte French
from the Old French title of rank conte "count", an occupational name for a servant in the household of a count or who was one.

Ledger English
From the given name Leodegar or Legier. Alternatively, could be an occupational name for a stonemason, ultimately derived from Old English lecgan "to put, place, lay (down)".

Leduc French, Breton
From the Old French title of rank duc "duke" (from Latin dux "leader" genitive ducis) with the French masculine definite article le used as a nickname for someone who gave himself airs and graces or else as a metonymic occupational name for a servant employed in a ducal household.

Leffler German, Swedish
Occupational name for a spoonmaker. Derived from German Löffel "spoon".

Lehmkuhl German, Low German
topographic or occupational name for someone working or living by a clay pit from Middle Low German lēm "clay" and kule "pit" a habitational name from any of several places called with this term for example Lehmkuhlen near Kiel.

Leibniz German
The German surname Leibnitz emerged in the lands that form the modern state of Lower Saxony, which is presently bordered by the North Sea, the Hartz mountains and the Elbe and Ems rivers. Lower Saxony was previously a medieval dukedom... [more]

Leisenring German (Modern)
Occupational name for a blacksmith or wainwright who made or affixed iron rings to the support rods on ladder wagons. Composed of German leuchse "stake, stem bar, rung" and ring "circular band"

Leitão Portuguese
Occupational name for a keeper of pigs, derived from Portuguese leitão meaning "piglet, young pig".

Leitao Portuguese
Portuguese metonymic occupational name for a keeper of pigs, or nickname meaning ‘piglet’, from Portuguese leitão ‘(suckling) pig’.

Lemaître French
Means "the master" in French, either used as a nickname for someone who behaved in a masterful manner or an occupational name for someone who was a master of their craft.

Le Monnier French
Occupational surname for a miller, literally meaning "the miller" in French.

Lescher German
German metonymic occupational name for a mediator or arbitrator, or possibly for a fireman, from Middle High German leschære ‘extinguisher’.

Lesieur French
From old French sieur "lord, overlord" (from Latin senior "elder") fused with le either an occupational name for someone in service of a great lord or an ironic nickname for someone who gives himself airs or graces.

Létourneau French
Nickname for a chatty, gregarious person or an occupational name for a birdcatcher, derived from French l'étourneau meaning "the starling".

Lever French, English
Nickname for a fleet-footed or timid person, from Old French levre "hare" (Latin lepus, genitive leporis). It may also have been a metonymic occupational name for a hunter of hares.

Licht German, Dutch, Yiddish
Means "light" or "candle". Could be an occupational name for a chandler, a topographic name for someone who lived in a clearing (see Lichte), or a nickname for someone who had light hair, or who was agile and slender.

Lichter German, Jewish
Occupational name for someone who made candles or possibly for someone who tended a light, from an agent derivative of from Middle High German lieht, Yiddish likht "candle, light".

Licursi Italian
Of Albanian origin, either an occupational name for a tanner from lëkurë "skin, leather", or a habitational name.

Lieberknecht German
A compound name where lieber is derived from the given name Liebert and kneckt is an occupational surname for a journeyman, derived from the Middle Low German knecht meaning "knight’s assistant, servant".

Limon Spanish
An occupational name for a grower or seller of the fruit.

Lindt German, Dutch
Derived from given names containing the elements lind "tender, mild, gentle hearted" or lind "linden tree, shield"... [more]

Line English
Americanized form of German Lein: occupational name for a grower of or dealer in flax from Middle High German līn, meaning “flax”.... [more]

Liné French (Rare)
From Old French liné meaning "made of linen". This name was an occupational name for someone who weaved linen or was a linen merchant.

Ling Chinese
From Chinese 凌 (líng) meaning "ice", originally used as an occupational name for a palace official who was in charge of storing and handling ice.

Locke English
Occupational name for a locksmith.

Lockhart Scottish, German
Scottish: of uncertain origin, probably from a Germanic personal name composed of the elements loc ‘lock’, ‘bolt’ + hard ‘hardy’, ‘brave’, ‘strong’. English: occupational name for a herdsman in charge of a sheep or cattlefold, from Old English loc ‘enclosure’, ‘fold’ + hierde ‘herd(er)’.

Locklear English
Variant of Lockyer. Locklear is an occupational name of anglo-saxon origin meaning "locksmith".

Lockyer English
Variant of Locklear. Lockyer is an occupational name of anglo-saxon origin meaning "locksmith".

Lodge English
Local name for someone who lived in a small cottage or temporary dwelling, Middle English logge (Old French loge, of Germanic origin). The term was used in particular of a cabin erected by masons working on the site of a particular construction project, such as a church or cathedral, and so it was probably in many cases equivalent to an occupational name for a mason... [more]

Loesch German
German metonymic occupational name from Middle High German lösch ‘fine leather’.

Loescher German
German variant of Löscher, an occupational name for a fireman, from Middle High German leschen ‘to extinguish’. Als a variant of Loesch and Lescher or a derivative of Loesche.

Loft English
Possibly an occupational name for a servant who worked in the upper chamber of a household, from Middle English lofte "upper chamber, attic".

Loisel French
Derived from Old French oisel "bird" with fused definite article l' used as a nickname for a flighty individual or perhaps for a small birdlike person but possibly also as a metonymic occupational name for a bird-catcher.

Lokhande Indian, Marathi
Derived from Marathi लोखंड (lokhanda) meaning "iron", either a nickname for a person who was strong and well-built or an occupational name for a blacksmith.

Lokier English (British)
Variant of Lockyer, an occupational name for a locksmith.

Lopatin m Russian
Occupational name derived from Russian лопата (lopata) meaning "shovel, spade".

Lorain French
Occupational name for a saddler, derived from the Old French word lorain, meaning "a leather strap used on a horse's breastplate".

Lord English
A surname derived from someone of a lordly manner, or perhaps one who had earned the title in some contest of skill or had played the part of the ‘Lord of Misrule’ in the Yuletide festivities.... [more]

Lorimer English, Scottish
Occupational name for a maker or seller of bits and other metal parts of a horse's bridle, and other metal pieces, derived from Old French lorain "tackle, harness".

Lösch Low German, Upper German
North German metonymic occupational name for a maker of fine leather, from Middle Low German losche ‘fine leather’. South German variant of Lesch (see Loesch).

Lotspeich English
possibly from Bavarian lott ‘mud’ + speich ‘spittle’, ‘moist dirt’, either a topographic name for someone who lived on land in a muddy area or a nickname for someone who had a dirty appearance... [more]

Louwers Dutch
Either a patronymic from a short form of Laurentius, or an occupational name for a tanner from Dutch looien "to tan (leather)".

Luquette French (Quebec)
Canadian spelling of French Luquet, derived from a pet form of the given name Luc. It is also a variant of French Loquet, a metonymic occupational name for a locksmith.

Lussier French
Occupational name from old French ussier "usher, doorkeeper".

Luttrell English
From a diminutive of Old French loutre, meaning "otter" (from Latin lutra), applied as a nickname for someone thought to resemble an otter or a metonymic occupational name for someone who hunted otters (for their pelts).

Macadangdang Filipino, Cebuano, Ilocano
Derived from Cebuano dangdang "to broil, to grill" or Tagalog dangdang "heating, toasting, or drying through exposure to fire or glowing coals", possibly an occupational name for someone who dries things by the fire.

Maccarone Italian
from maccaroni "macaroni" (or in northern Italy "gnocco") perhaps applied as a metonymic occupational name for a maker of pasta or in the North as a nickname for a silly or foolish person.

Mace English, French
English: from a medieval personal name, a survival of Old English Mæssa, which came to be taken as a pet form of Matthew.... [more]

Machen English
Occupational name for a stonemason, Anglo-Norman French machun, a Norman dialect variant of Old French masson (see Mason).

Macon French, German
French: See Maçon. An occupational name for a mason, French maçon. Habitational name from places so called in Saône-et-Loire, Allier, Aube, the Côte d’Or, Gers, and Deux-Sères... [more]

Madiga Indian, Telugu
Telugu occupational name for a leather worker, a job historically considered polluting and impure in India, where the surname belongs to Dalit, or "Untouchables" - members of the lowest caste.

Maestre Portuguese, Spanish
Occupational name from old Spanish and Portuguese maestre meaning 'master', 'master craftsman', 'teacher'.

Magsino Filipino, Tagalog
Means "to look closely", derived from Tagalog sino meaning "who". It was probably used as an occupational name for an investigator.

Mahler German
Variant of Maler, a German occupational surname meaning "painter", particularly a stained glass painter.... [more]

Maidment English
Occupational name for a servant of maidens (such as nuns), from Middle English maiden (ultimately from Old English mægden) meaning "young girl, virgin, maiden" and man ending with an excrescent -t.

Maisel Yiddish, German, French
Predominantly seems to be a matronymic surname from the Yiddish feminine name Mayzl. Although it is believed that it derived from the Hebrew name Meïser, which means “representative of God”... [more]

Maître French
occupational name for the head of a craft or trade guild from Old French maistre "master" (from Latin magister)... [more]

Maitre French
occupational name for one who was the head of a craft or trade guild, from Old French maistre ‘master’ (Latin magister).

Maker Dutch (Rare)
An occupational name for someone who makes or repairs things, from Dutch maken "to make, mend, create".

Mali Indian, Marathi, Hindi, Bengali, Assamese, Odia, Gujarati
Occupational name for a gardener or florist, derived from Sanskrit माला (mala) meaning "garland, wreath".

Maller German
An occupational name given to a painter of stained glass.

Mallet Anglo-Norman, Medieval English, French, Catalan
Originated in Norman France and spread to England following the Norman conquest of 1066. The surname comes from the given name Malle, an Old English diminutive of Mary or from the given name Malo, a popular form of the name of Saint Maclovius, a 6th-century Welsh monk who the church of Saint Maclou in Rouen is named for.... [more]

Malthouse English
Occupational name for a maker of malt or a malt merchant. It could also be a topographic name for a person who lived at a malt house.

Manalili Filipino, Pampangan, Tagalog
Occupational name derived from Pampangan alili or Tagalog halili meaning "successor, substitute, replacement".

Mancebo Spanish
Spanish: Occupational Or Status Name For A Serf Or Servant Also ‘Youth Single Man’ Old Spanish Mancebo (From Late Latin Mancipus From Classical Latin Mancipium ‘Slave’).

Manera Italian
Either a habitational name from any of two places called Manera in the Italian provinces of Cuneo and Como, a nickname and perhaps a metonymic occupational name (from the dialect word manèra meaning "executioner's axe, cleaver" or from Italian manero "well-behaved, skilled"), or derived from the given name Mainiero (ultimately from Frankish Maginhari, composed of the Ancient Germanic elements magin "strength, might" and hari, heri "army").

Manganaro Italian
occupational name from manganaro agent noun from Mangano (see Mangano) in any of its various senses. Manganaris and Manganaras are also found as Greek surnames.

Mangano Italian
occupational name from mangano "mangle" (a device consisting of a pair of rollers used to press textiles and clothes) or "calender" (a similar device used in making paper). The term mangano also denoted a bucket elevator (used for raising water from a well) and any of various other devices including a catapult... [more]

Mangone Italian
habitational name from Mangone a place in Cosenza province. Or an occupational name for a merchant from Latin mango (genitive mangonis) "dealer, slave trader". Or possibly also from an ancient Germanic personal name (see Mangold ).

Manikas Greek
Occupational name for a maker of handles (e.g. of knives), from medieval Greek manikion "sleeve", "handle", from Latin manicae "sleeve, manacle".

Mantilla Spanish
Spanish: from mantilla ‘mantilla’, ‘scarf worn over the head and shoulders’, presumably an occupational name for a maker of mantillas or a descriptive name for someone who habitually wore such a garment.

Maquet French
From a derivative of bac meaning "tub", also meaning "ferry", used as a metonymic occupational name for a maker or for a boatman. Also a habitational name from Le Baquet, the name of several places in various parts of France.

Marchal French, Walloon
Either a status name or occupational name from Old French mareschal "marshal" (from Late Latin mariscalcus)... [more]

Marchese Italian
From the title of rank marchése "marquis" (in Italy the rank immediately below that of duke), probably applied as a nickname for someone who behaved like a marquis, or an occupational name for a servant in the household of a marquis... [more]

Marinaro Italian
Occupational name for a sailor from marinaro (from Late Latin marinus derived from mare "sea").

Mariner English, Catalan
Occupational name from Middle English mariner "sailor seaman boatman" (Anglo-Norman French mariner Old French marinier marnier merinier) Catalan mariner (from Late Latin marinarius a derivative of marinus "marine").

Markgraf German, Dutch
status name from Middle High German marcgrāve "margrave" (which is a title derived from marc "boundary" and grāve "royal judge")... [more]

Marksman English
An occupational surname indicating a person who was a hunter, especially a skilled one.