West Germanic Submitted Surnames

This is a list of submitted surnames in which the language is West Germanic.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Spradlin English (British)
Originally Spradling, mean one who spreads seed
Sprague English
English from northern Middle English Spragge, either a personal name or a byname meaning "lively", a metathesized and voiced form of "spark."
Sprenger German
German form of the surname Springer
Spring German
From Middle High German sprinc, Middle Low German sprink "spring, well", hence a topographic name for someone who lived by a spring or well, or habitational name from Springe near Hannover.
Springall English
Means (i) "operator of a springald (a type of medieval siege engine)" (from Anglo-Norman springalde); or (ii) from a medieval nickname for a youthful person (from Middle English springal "youth").
Springborn German
Derived from Middle Low German sprinkborn meaning "spring, well", hence either a nickname for someone who lived by a spring or a water well, or from various place names in Germany.
Springer German, English, Dutch, Jewish
Nickname for a lively person or for a traveling entertainer, from springen "to jump, to leap". A famous bearer was Ludwig der Springer (AKA Louis the Springer), a medieval Franconian count who, according to legend, escaped from a second or third-story prison cell by jumping into a river after being arrested for trying to seize County Saxony in Germany.
Springer English
An occupational name for a dancer, or perhaps a hunter, from either Old English springen "to leap" or Middle English springe "snare, trap".
Springfield English
Dusty Springfield 1939-1999
Sprout English
This name is derived from the name of an ancestor, meaning "the son of Sprot".... [more]
Spruance English
Possibly a variant of Spruce. A notable bearer was Raymond A. Spruance (1886-1969), a United States Navy admiral during World War II.
Spruce English
Altered form of Prowse.
Spruijt Dutch
Means "sprout" in Dutch, originally a nickname for a young person or a descendant of a wealthy, powerful or important family.
Spruit Dutch
Variant of Spruijt.
Spruyt Dutch
Variant of Spruijt. This surname is especially common in Belgium.
Spry English
Was apparently a nickname for an active, brisk, or smart person. The word spry is of obscure origin.
Spurgeon English
Unexplained meaning.
Spurrell English (British, Rare), English (British)
Most likely from a place called Spirewell in southern Devon.
Spurrier English
Derived from the Old French word “esperonier,” meaning “to spur on”. It was likely given as a nickname to someone who was known for encouraging or motivating others. The name could have also referred to someone who was skilled at using spurs to control horses.
Spurrill English (British, Rare)
Most likely from a place called Spirewell in southern Devon.
Squibb English
Nickname for an irascible, unpredictable or petty person, derived from Middle English squibbe meaning "firework, firecracker". A famous bearer is the American actress June Squibb (1929-).
Squire English
Surname comes from the occupation of a Squire. A young man who tends to a knight.
Squires English
Surname is plural of Squire. A young person that tends to his knight, also someone that is a member of a landowner class that ranks below a knight.
Staal Dutch
From Old Dutch stal meaning "steel", a metonymic occupational name for a steelworker or blacksmith.
Stackhouse English
habitational name from Stackhouse in Giggleswick (Yorkshire) from Old Norse stakkr "stack pile rick" and hus "house".
Stadtmueller German
From Middle High German stet meaning "place", "town" + müller meaning "miller", hence an occupational name for a miller who ground the grain for a town.
Staff English
Derived from Middle English staf "rod staff, stave" (Old English stæf) used as a nickname either for a tall thin person someone who made staves or for anyone who carried a staff of office.
Stahl German, Danish
Metonymic occupational name for a smith or armorer, from Middle High German stahel "steel, armor".
Stähle German
Variant of Stahl.
Stahler German
Occupational name for a foundry worker, from an agent derivative of Middle High German stal 'steel'.
Stahling German (Rare)
Denoted a person who worked with steel. Derived from the name "Stähling", which was derived from "Stalin."
Staley English
Byname from Middle English staley "resolute, reliable", a reduced form of Stallard.
Stallard English
Byname for a valiant or resolute person, from a reduced pronunciation of Middle English stalward, stalworth "stalwart" (an Old English compound of stǣl "place" and wierðe "worthy").
Stallkamp German, Low German
Llikely originates from Old German or Middle Low German. It's a descriptive or occupational surname, possibly meaning "stall area" or "place where stalls are located,". The element "Stall" likely refers to a stall in a market or a building where animals are kept, and "kamp" refers to a field or open area, sometimes specifically a battleground.
Stallman German
Variant of Staller. German: topographic name for someone who lived in a muddy place, from the dialect word stal. English: habitational name from Stalmine in Lancashire, named probably with Old English stæll 'creek', 'pool' + Old Norse mynni 'mouth'.
Stalton English
Etymology uncertain. Possibly derived from a place name, as the last element resembles the suffix -ton "town".
Stam Dutch
Means "trunk (of a tree), stem" in Dutch, a nickname for a blocky or heavily built man.
Stanaway English
Possibly a variant form of English Stanway, a habitational name from any of the places called Stanaway, in Essex, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and Shropshire, all named with Old English stān ‘stone’ + weg ‘track’, ‘road’
Stancel German
Probably an altered spelling of Stancil or possibly of German Stenzel.
Stancil English
English habitational name from a place so named in South Yorkshire.
Stancliff English
Habitational name from Scout in Northowram (Yorkshire) recorded as Staynclif in 1309 and Stancliff Skoute (the home of Edward Stankliff) in 1536. The placename derives from Old English stan 1 "stone rock" with influence from Old Norse steinn "stone rock" and Old English clif "cliff bank" later with Middle English scoute "projecting cliff overhanging rock" (Old Norse skúti).
Standen English
Habitational name predominantly from Standen in Pendleton (Lancashire) and Standean in Ditchling (Sussex) but also from other places similarly named including Standen in East Grinstead (Sussex) Standen in Biddenden (Kent) Standen in Benenden (Kent) Upper and Lower Standen in Hawkinge (Kent) Standen (Berkshire Wiltshire Isle of Wight) and Standon (Devon Hampshire Hertfordshire Staffordshire)... [more]
Standfuß German
It literally means "pedestal".
Standish English
Habitational name Standish (Lancashire Now Part Of Greater Manchester, and Yorkshire) meaning Old English Stān ‘Stone Rock’ + Edisc ‘Enclosure; or Enclosed Park’.
Stang German, Jewish
German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) from Middle High German stang, German Stange ‘pole’, ‘shaft’, hence a nickname for a tall, thin person, a metonymic occupational name for a maker of wooden shafts for spears and the like, or a metonymic occupational name for a soldier.
Stanislaw Polish, German
Polish from the personal name Stanisław, composed of the Slavic elements stani ‘become’ + slav ‘glory’, ‘fame’, ‘praise’... [more]
Stannard English
From the medieval personal name Stanhard, literally "stone-strong" or "stone-brave".
Stansfield English (British)
Habitational name from a place in West Yorkshire, probably named with the genitive case of the Old English personal name Stan 1 "stone" and Old English feld "pasture, open country"... [more]
Stanson English
Means "son of Stanley".
Stantz German
Possibly an altered spelling of German Stanz, a habitation name from places called Stans or Stanz in Austria and Switzerland (see also Stentz).
Stanwick English
Habitational name from a place so called in Northamptonshire, named in Old English with stan ‘stone’ + wic ‘outlying dairy farm’.
Stanwood English (American)
From Old English stan meaning "stone, rock" and weald meaning "forest, wooded area".
Stanwyck English
Variant spelling of Stanwick. This name was borne by the American actress, model and dancer Barbara Stanwyck (1907-1990).
Stapleford English
Habitational name from any of a number of places, in Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, and Wiltshire, so named from Old English stapol meaning "post" + ford meaning "ford".
Stapleton English
Habitational surname from any of various places in England.
Star German, Jewish
Means "starling (bird)" in German, probably denoting a talkative or perhaps a voracious person. Alternatively, an Anglicized form of Stern 2.
Star Dutch
Means "stiff, frozen, rigid" in Dutch, from Middle Dutch staer "having a troubled or gloomy expression; tight, stiff", a nickname either for a gloomy person or for someone who was rigid and inflexible.
Star English
Variant of Starr.
Starbuck English
After Starbeck village in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England. A famous bearer of this name was the fictional character, Starbuck, the first mate of the Pequod in Herman Melville's novel Moby-Dick.
Starke German, Dutch, English
Variant of German and English Stark and Dutch and German Sterk. Nickname for a strong bold person from Middle High German stark Middle Dutch starcke staerke "strong brave".
Starkey English, German
From a diminutive of Stark. This surname is borne by the English musician Sir Richard Starkey (1940-), also known as Ringo Starr.
Starling English
From a medieval nickname for someone thought to resemble a starling, especially in constantly chattering.
Start English
Habitational name from any of the various minor places named from Old English steort "tail".
State German
Nickname from Middle High German stæt(e) meaning "firm", "steadfast", "constant".
Stater English
Occupational name for an official in charge of a public weighing machine derived from Middle English stater(er), from Latin statera "balance, scales, steelyard; value", ultimately from Ancient Greek στατήρ (stater) "a weight, a standard; a type of coin".
Stather English
Habitational name derived from a place in England by the River Trent 1, derived from Old Norse stǫðvar "jetties, wharfs, landing stage".
Staub German (Swiss), German, Jewish
German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) occupational nickname for a miller, from Middle High German stoup, German Staub ‘dust’. The Jewish surname may also be ornamental.
Stauber German, Jewish
An occupational name from Staub, with the addition of the German agent suffix -er.
Stauch German
From Middle High German stuche, a term used to denote both a type of wide sleeve and a headcovering. Also a habitational name from a place called Staucha, near Dresden.
Stauffer German
This surname refers either to various towns named Stauffen or else it might be derived from Middle High German stouf "high rock/cliff/crag".
Stay English, American
Possibly related to the word Stay, or a nickname for Stanley.
St Clair French, English
From the place name St Clair
Steacy English
Variant of Stacy.
Stead English
Dweller at the homestead.
Steel English
Variant spelling of Steele, or an Americanized form of the German and Swedish cognates Stahl or Stål.
Steelworker English (Rare)
Modern version of Smith, meaning "someone who works with steel". Comes from the occupation Steel Worker .
Steely English (American)
Americanized form of Swiss German Stühle, a variant of Stuhl .
Steenbok Afrikaans, Dutch
Dutch and Afrikaans form of Steinbock.
Steenkamp German
Variant spelling of Steinkamp.
Steffes Dutch, German
A patronymic from a shortened form of the personal name Steffen.
Stegal English
Variant of Styles.
Stegall German
Grandmother marian name
Stegeman Dutch
Derived from Middle Dutch stēge "lane, alleyway; steep path, slope" and man "person, man".
Steger German
Means "head miner" or "overman" from the German verb steigen meaning "to climb" or in this case "to lead a climb".
Steger German
From a derivative of Middle High German stec "steep path or track, narrow bridge". The name was likely given to someone living close to a path or small bridge.
Stegerhoek Dutch
Derived from Old Dutch stega "lane, alleyway; steep path, slope" and huok "corner, angle, hook".
Stehr German
From Middle High German ster ‘ram’, hence probably a nickname for a lusty person, or possibly a metonymic occupational name for a shepherd.
Steier German
Variant of Steiger.
Steiert German
Variant of Steiger and Steier.
Steifvater German
from Middle Low German stēfvader 'stepfather' hence a relationship name.
Steiger German
Occupational name from Middle High German stiger 'foreman', 'mine inspector'
Steinauer Medieval German
Dweller at or near a stone or rock, often a boundary mark; one who came from Stein, in Germany and Switzerland; descendant of Staino or Stein ("stone").... [more]
Steinbach German, Jewish
German habitational name from any of the many places named Steinbach, named with Middle High German stein ‘stone’ + bach ‘stream’, ‘creek’. ... [more]
Steinbeck German
Denotes a person hailing from one of the many places in Germany called Steinbeck or Steinbach, from Middle High German stein "stone" and bach "stream, creek". In some cases it is a South German occupational name for a mason... [more]
Steinberg German
From stony mountain. From "stein" meaning stone, and "berg" meaning mountain.
Steinbock German
From German 'stein' meaning "stone" and 'der bock' meaning "goat".
Steinbrecher German
occupational name for someone who worked in a stone quarry from Middle High German stein "stone" and an agent derivative of brechen "to break".
Steinbrenner German
occupational name for a lime burner from Middle High German stein "stone" (in this case limestone) and an agent derivative of brennen "to burn".
Steinfeld German
Means "stone field" in German.
Steingräber German
occupational name for a quarry worker from Middle High German stein "stone" and agent derivative of Middle High German graben "to dig".
Steinhagen German
Derived from Old High German stein "stone" and hag "enclosure, hedge, pasture".
Steinhart Jewish, German, Polish, Hungarian
The surname Steinhart is more associated with the locality Steinhart in Bavaria (Germany).... [more]
Steinhaus German, Jewish
topographic name for someone living in a stone-built house from Middle High German stein "stone" and hus "house" or a habitational name from any of the many places called Steinhaus for example near Fulda and near Wels in Austria... [more]
Steinhilber German
Habitational name for someone from Steinhilben, from Old High German stein "stone" and hülwe or hülbe "hollow, depression; pond, puddle".
Steininger German
an occupational name for a stone cutter.
Steinkamp German
North German topographic name for someone living by a field with a prominent rocky outcrop or boulder in it, and derived from Middle Low German sten meaning "rock, stone" and kamp meaning "enclosed field".
Steinmeier German
Distinguishing name for a tenant farmer (Meyer) whose farm was on stony ground or was distinguished by a conspicuous rock formation (Middle High German stein 'rock').
Steinmetz German, Jewish
Occupational name from Middle High German steinmetze, German steinmetz "stonemason", "worker in stone".
Steins German
Variant of Stein.
Steinwedel German
From the German word "stein" and "wedel" which mean "stone frond", which was a name given to someone who lived near a stone wall covered in plants.
Steinwender German (Austrian)
From the German words stein "stone" and wender "turner"
Stekelenburg Dutch
Derived from Middle Dutch stekel meaning "prickle, stickle, spine, spike" and burg meaning "fortress". A famous bearer is the retired Dutch soccer goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg (1982-).
Steketee Dutch
Derived from the biblical Greek word στήκετε (stekete) meaning "I stand (firm)", probably of Protestant or Huguenot origin.
Stell English
Unknown origin, possibly a variant of Steel, from the English word "steel", originating in Yorkshire, UK. Alternatively, it may be derived from North German dialect word stel meaning "bog", denoting someone who lived near a marsh; or from Latin stella meaning "star", eg for a person who lived at an inn with a star on its sign.
Stellmacher German
occupational name for a cartwright from late Middle High German stelle "carriage" (originally "frame chassis") and mahhon "maker"... [more]
Stellrecht German
Occupational name for a cartwright, from Middle High German stel "framework" and reht (from Old High German wurht-) "maker". Compare English -wright.
Stellwagen German
metonymic occupational name for a carter or a cartwright from Middle High German stelle "cart" and wagen "wagon".
Stelter German
nickname for a disabled person; from Middle Low German stelte, stilt "wooden leg"
Stelzner German
Variant of Stelzer, probably an occupational name for a stilt-maker. Also, a habitational name for anyone from any of the places named Stelzen.
Stem German
Tis is my Surname, of German ancestry.
Stemle English
FROM KUPPENHEIM, BADEN, GERMANY, WHERE IT WAS (AND IS TODAY) SPELLED WITH 2 Ms: STEMMLE.... [more]
Stempfer German
Derived from occupation means 'Stump remover'
Stender German
Occupational name for a carpenter.
Stenson English
Means "son of Stephen".
Stenson English
From the name of a hamlet (now called Twyford and Stenson) in Derbyshire, England. The name is a combination of the Old Norse name Steinn and Old English tun "settlement, enclosure".
Stent English (Archaic)
Derived from the Old Norse name Steinn meaning "stone". Recorded in several forms including Stein, Steen, Stone and Ston, this surname is english. It is perhaps not surprisingly one of the first recorded surnames anywhere in the world.... [more]
Stenzel German
German from a reduced pet form of the Slavic personal name Stanisław (see Stencel, Stanislaw).
Stephan French, English
From the given name Stephan
Stephanie English (American)
Directly from the given name Stephanie.
Sterk Dutch, German
Dutch cognate and German variant of Stark. Nickname from Middle Low German sterk and Middle High German stark Middle Dutch sterke starcke staerke "strong brave".
Sterken Dutch
From Dutch sterk meaning "strong".
Sterley English
This is an English locational surname. Recorded as Starley, Stearley, Sterley, Sturley, and others, it originates from a place called 'ster-leah', meaning "steer" or "cattle farm". However no such place in any of the known surname spellings is to be found in England, although there is place called Starleyburn in Fifeshire in Scotland... [more]
Sternhagen German
topographic name from Middle High German ster "ram" (and -n- either the plural ending or a folk etymological insert by association with Middle High German stern "star") and hagen "enclosed field or pasture".
Sternke Low German (Rare, ?)
From the German word or surname Stern meaning "star" and the Low German diminutive "-ke". The exact origins of this surname are unknown.
Steurer German
Occupational name for someone who collects taxes from Middle High German stiurære "court assistant, tax collector".
Steve English
From the given name Steve.
Steven Scottish, English, Dutch, Low German, English (New Zealand)
From the personal name Steven, a vernacular form of Latin Stephanus, Greek Stephanos "crown".
Steward English
Occupational name for an administrative official of an estate or steward, from Old English stig "house" and weard "guard".
Steyn Afrikaans
Derived from Old Dutch stēn "stone" referring ot a (bowl) stone or a weapon made of stone or rock.
St George English
From Saint George.
Stich German, Jewish
metonymic occupational name for a tailor or cobbler from Middle High German stich German stich "stitch".
Stickman English (Canadian)
The Origin for the surname Stickman comes from the YouTube series Iron Hand character "Tim Stickman" and his wife (season 3) his kids (season 4) and parents (all seasons) made in 2016 and premiering in 2017.
Stiefel German
Either from stiefel "boot", which could mean a boot maker or from middle low german stief which means "stiff", a nickname for a stubborn person
Stieglitz German
Meaning goldfinch, Stiglitz was borrowed into German from a Slavic language, probably Old Czech stehlec. Several possible origins: of the surname can be: ... [more]
Stiff English (American)
Used sometimes as a derogatory term, stiff means uptight. It is used in a surname in American culture as well as in the media, such as novels, movies or tv shows.
Stifflemire English (American)
Derived from Old English words "stiff" and "mere," which together could have referred to a stiff or rigid body of water, perhaps a lake or pond.
Stift German (Austrian), Dutch
Means "religious foundation, monastery".
Stifter German, German (Austrian)
Means "founder" in Middle High German, from stiften "to bring about, endow, donate", a name for a tenant farmer on previously unoccupied land, or a habitational name from the related word Stift meaning "endowed monastery, secular convent, church foundation".
Stiglitz German
Variant of Stieglitz
Stikvoort Dutch
Derived from Middle Dutch voort "ford" and an uncertain first element; perhaps from a relation of Middle High German stickel "hill, slope".
Stile English
Variant of Styles.
Stiles English
From Old English stigel, stigol ‘steep uphill path’ (a derivative of stigan ‘to climb’).
Stillman English
From German still "quiet" and Mann "man", hence, "calm man".
Stinchcomb English
Habitational name from Stinchcombe in Gloucestershire, recorded in the 12th century as Stintescombe, from the dialect term stint meaning "sandpiper" + cumb meaning "narrow valley".
Stinnes German
Indicated that the bearer lived near a prominent stone. See also Stein
Stinson English, Scottish
This is one of the many patronymic forms of the male given name Stephen, i.e. son of Stephen. From these forms developed the variant patronymics which include Stim(p)son, Stenson, Steenson, and Stinson.
Stirrup English (British)
Originated in Merseyside, England.
Stiver English
Occupational name from Old French “estivur” meaning “plowman”, coming from Latin “stivarius”. This has also been used as a name for someone who played the stive, a type of bagpipe.
St James English
St. James has English and French origins and is a rare surname in the United States.
St Leger Irish, English
Anglo-Irish surname, from one of the places in France called Saint-Léger, which were named in honour of St. Leodegar.
St Louis French, English
In honor of Saint Louis.
St Mary English, French
This name is probably used in reference to Mary, Mother of Jesus or one of the many places called St Mary.
St Nicholas English
Indicated the original bearer was from a place named after Saint Nicholas.
Stoakley English
This is an English locational name of Anglo-Saxon origin. The meaning is either the wood from which stocks, that is to say tree stumps or logs were obtained and derived from the Old English pre 7th Century word stocc, meaning a stump and leah, "a wood or glade"... [more]
Stoaks English
A name of unknown meaning that was brought to Britain as a result of the Norman Conquest.
Stobrawa Polish, German
Uncommon Polish surname.
Stock Medieval English
English: A topographic name for someone who lived near the trunk or stump of a large tree, Middle English Stocke (Old English Stocc)... [more]
Stockdale English
Habitational name from a place in Cumbria and North Yorkshire, England. Derived from Old English stocc "tree trunk" and dæl "valley".
Stocke English
English: A topographic name for someone who lived near the trunk or stump of a large tree, Middle English Stocke (Old English Stocc)... [more]
Stockhardt German
Nickname for a stiff person, from Stock "stick, staff, trunk" and hart "hard".
Stockholm Danish (Rare), English (American)
Danish variant of Stokholm. English usage could be a habitational name for someone from Stockholm, Sweden (see Stockholm), but this etymology does not apply to Scandinavian usage of the name.
Stocking English
Topographic name from Middle English stocking 'ground cleared of stumps'.
Stockley English
Derived from Old english stocc (tree bark) and leah (clearing), indicating that the original bearer of this name lived in a wooded clearing.
Stocks English (British)
meaning "lives near tree stumps"
Stockton English
Habitational surname for a person from any of the places (e.g. Cheshire, County Durham, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Shropshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, Worcestershire, and North and West Yorkshire) so called from Old English stocc "tree trunk" or stoc "dependent settlement" + tun "enclosure", "settlement".
Stockwell English
An English boy's name meaning "From the tree stump spring"
Stoehr German
From Middle Low German store ‘sturgeon’, hence a metonymic occupational name for someone who caught or sold sturgeon, or a nickname for someone with some supposed resemblance to the fish... [more]
Stofflet Alsatian (Rare)
Derived from the given name Stoffel in combination with the diminutive suffix -et.
Stogdill English
Possibly a variant of Stockdale.
Stogner German (Austrian, Americanized)
Americanized spelling of Stögner, itself a variant form of Steger or Stegen.
Stohr German
North German (Stöhr): see Stoehr.... [more]
Stokely English
Variation of Stockley.
Stoker Dutch
Means "stoker, one who stokes a fire" or "firestarter, agitator" in Dutch, an occupational name or a nickname for a troublemaker.
Stolk Dutch
Contracted form of Stolwijk, a town in South Holland, Netherlands, probably derived from Middle Dutch stolle "lump, chunk" and wijc "farmstead, village".
Stoller German, Jewish, English
Habitational surname for someone from a place called Stolle, near Zurich (now called Stollen).... [more]
Stollerman German
A man from Stoll, a province of Germany.
Stolte German
Derived from Middle Low German stolt "proud; stately; magnificent".
Stoltenberg German, Norwegian
Habitational name from places so called in Pomerania and Rhineland. A famous bearer is Jens Stoltenberg (b. 1959), Prime Minister of Norway 2000-2001 and 2005-2013.
Stoltzfus German
Stoltzfus is a surname of German origin. It is common among Mennonites and Amish. All American Stoltzfuses are descended from Nicholas Stoltzfus (1719–1774), an Amish man who migrated from Germany to America in 1766.
Stolz German
The surname "Stolz" means "Proud" or "pride" in German.
Stonefield English
Meaning "stone field".
Stonehill English
Meaning "stone hill".
Stonehouse English
From Middle English ston stan 1 "stone" (Old English stan 1) and house "house" (Old English hus)... [more]
Stoneman English
Combination of Stone and English man. Sometimes used an English form of German Steinmann.