German Submitted Surnames

German names are used in Germany and other German-speaking areas such as Austria and Switzerland. See also about German names.
usage
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Guido Italian, German
From the given name Guido.
Gülden Dutch, German
from 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").
Gum German
North German:... [more]
Gunzenhauser German, Jewish
Habitational name for someone from either of two places named Gunzenhausen, one in Württemberg and the other in Bavaria.
Gust German
German: 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.... [more]
Gutfreund German
From the words gut freund, which means "good friend."
Guthrie Scottish, Irish, German
Scottish: habitational name from a place near Forfar, named in Gaelic with gaothair ‘windy place’ (a derivative of gaoth ‘wind’) + the locative suffix -ach. Possibly an Anglicized form of Scottish Gaelic Mag Uchtre ‘son of Uchtre’, a personal name of uncertain origin, perhaps akin to uchtlach ‘child’.... [more]
Gutknecht German, German (Swiss)
Status name for a page of noble birth (Middle High German guot kneht).
Gütlin German, Yiddish
Diminutive of GUTE and GUTA, recorded in Frankfurt, Germany throughout the 14th century.
Guttenberg German, Jewish
German 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’... [more]
Gutting German
Of uncertain origin. Probably from a Germanic personal name formed with god "good" or god, got "god".
Haack German
One who lived at the bend or hook in the river. (See Hooker)
Habelt German
from a pet form of the Germanic personal name Habo, a short form of various compound names formed with had(u) ‘battle’, ‘strife’
Haberfeld German
Means "oat field". From the words habaro "oat" and feld "field
Haberfield German (Anglicized)
Partial anglicization of Haberfeld
Haberland German
Topographic name from Middle High German haber(e) "oats" and land "land", or a habitational name from any of various places so called.
Habermann German, Jewish
Occupational name for a grower or seller of oats, composed of the elements Haber and the agent suffix -mann.
Habsburg German
This 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.
Hack German
Variant of Haack.
Hackmann German, Jewish
Occupational name for a butcher or a woodcutter.
Hafer German, Jewish
Metonymic 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 German
From German hagel meaning "hail" and berg meaning "mountain".
Hagemann German, Danish
Combination of Middle Low German hage "enclosure, hedge" and mann "man".
Hahm German
Metonymic occupational name for a sealer of weights and measures, from Middle High German hāme ‘(standard) measure’.
Hähner German
Pet form of Heinrich.
Hahner German
Occupational name for a poultry farmer, from an agent derivative of Middle High German hane "rooster".
Hahner German
Habitational name for someone from any of several places called Hahn or Hag.
Halberstadt German
Habitational name from any of various places so named, notably the city near Magdeburg and Halberstadt near Königstein in Saxony.
Ham English, German, Scottish, Anglo-Saxon
Anglo-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, Jewish
German, Danish, and Jewish (Ashkenazic) habitational name from any of several places named Hamberg. Jewish (Ashkenazic) variant of Hamburg.
Hamberger German, Jewish
German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) habitational name for someone from any of various places named Hamberg. Jewish (Ashkenazic) variant of Hamburger.
Hamburg German, Jewish
German 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’.
Hamburger German, Jewish
German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) habitational name for someone from Hamburg.
Hamel Yiddish, Dutch, German
The name Hamel has three origins.... [more]
Hamer English, German
From 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, Jewish
From 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.
Hammerschmidt German, Jewish
Occupational name for a blacksmith, from German hamer, 'hammer' and schmidt, 'smith. See Hammersmith.
Hammersmith German, English
Normally an anglicization of German Hammerschmidt. Perhaps also from Norwegian Hammersmed.... [more]
Hamp English, German
English: unexplained; compare Hemp.... [more]
Händel German
Derived from Hans or Heinrich.
Handschuh German
Occupational 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".
Häner German
Variant of Hanner.
Haner German
Altered spelling or variant of Hahner.
Hang German (Swiss)
From the given name Hank
Hänner German
Pet form of Heinrich.
Hanner German
From a pet form of Hann, short form of Johann.
Hantel German (Rare)
Rare Bukovina German variant of Handel.
Har German
Variant of Har.
Harbach German
Habitational name from any of several places named Harbach.
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 German
Habitational name for someone from Ober- or Unter-Harlachen, near Überlingen.
Harless English, German
English: 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.
Harnar German
Given to one who was noisy
Harold English, Norman, German
English from the Old English personal name Hereweald, its Old Norse equivalent Haraldr, or the Continental form Herold introduced to Britain by the Normans... [more]
Harpe German
Derived from a short form of the given name Harprecht.
Hartnagel German
Occupational name for a nailsmith from the Middle High German elements harte "hard" and nagel "nail".
Hartung German
German, Dutch, and Danish: from a Germanic personal name, a derivative (originally a patronymic) of compound names beginning with hart ‘hardy’, ‘strong’.
Hartwig German
From the given name Hartwig.
Haselbauer German
Translates to 'hazel farmer'
Hassdenteufel German
A German Satzname, from the expression "Hass den Teufel" meaning "hate the devil".
Hasselbach German
Habitational name from any of the places in various parts of Germany called Hasselbach.
Hasslacher German
hass=hate; lacher=laughter... [more]
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, Jewish
German and Jewish (Ashkenazic): habitational name from places called Hattendorf, near Alsfeld and near Hannover. The element hatt, had means ‘bog’
Hattler German
Occupational name for someone who raises goats.
Hauck German
Derived from the first name Hugo.
Haueis German
Derived from Middle High German houwen "to beat" and isen "iron". This surname denoted a smith.
Hauptman German
Variant spelling of Hauptmann.
Hauptmann German
Derived from German hauptmann, a word used for a German military rank meaning "Captain".
Haus German
Topographic 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 German
From the Germanic personal name Huso, a short form of a compound name composed with hus ‘house’, ‘dwelling’ as the first element.
Hauschild German
Possibly from German haus "house" or hauen "to chop, to hack" combined with schild "shield".
Hauser German, Jewish
From Middle High German hus "house", German haus, + the suffix -er, denoting someone who gives shelter or protection.
Hausle German (Austrian)
Topographical name for someone who's House was near the Woods, from German "Häus" House "le" Woods
Hausmann German
From Middle High German hus "house" (see Haus) + man "man".
Hauswirth German
From Middle High German haus 'house' and wirt 'owner' or 'master'.
Haverkamp German, Dutch
Topographic name from Middle Low German haver "oats" and kamp "field".
Havertz German
Variant of Ritz.
Havner German
Variant of Hafner.
Hay English, Scottish, Irish, Welsh, French, Spanish, German, Dutch, Frisian
Scottish 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)... [more]
Haydn German
Meaning "heathen". Famous bearer is Austrian composer Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809).
Haydt German
Varient of Heid.
Heartfield German (Anglicized)
Anglicised spelling of Herzfeld.
Heartman German (Anglicized)
Americanised spelling of Hartmann.
Hebel German
1 German: metonymic occupational name for a baker, from Middle High German hebel ‘yeast’.... [more]
Heber German
Occupational name for a carrier (someone who loaded or transported goods), from an agent derivative of Middle High German heben "to lift".
Hebert German
Variant of Heber.
Hecht German, Dutch
From 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.
Hecker German
German form of Hatcher.
Hefler German
Derived from the Old German and German word hof, which means settlement, farm or court.
Hefner German, Jewish
Recorded in several spellings including Hafner, Haffner, and Hevner, this is as surname of early Germanic origins. ... [more]
Heid German, Jewish
Topographic name from Middle High German heide, German Heide ‘heath’, ‘moor’. Compare Heath.... [more]
Heide German, Jewish, Dutch, Danish, Norwegian
Variant of German Heid, and Dutch Vanderheide. Danish and Norwegian surname from various places called Heide all from the German elements heida, heidr, haith all meaning "heath".
Heidenreich German
From 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 German
Combination 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.
Heigl German
Derived from the given name Hugo.
Heil German
Most recognisably known for meaning ‘Salvation’, it was also one used as an indication of a doctor or healer.
Heiland German
South 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’.
Heiliger German
Heiliger means "Holy" or "Holy One" in German.
Heilmann German
Variant of Heil.
Heimbach German
Town / City in Germany
Heimberger German, Jewish
Variant spelling of Heimburger.
Heimburg German
German 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, Jewish
Status 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.
Hein German, Dutch, Danish, Jewish
German, Dutch, Danish, and Jewish (Ashkenazic): from a short form of the Germanic personal name Heinrich.
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.
Heine German, Dutch, Jewish
Derived from a short form of Heinrich.
Heineken Dutch, German
Derived from Hein, a Dutch diminutive of Hendrik. A famous bearer was Gerard Adriaan Heineken (1841-1893), the founder of the Heineken N.V. brewing company... [more]
Heinemann German, Jewish
Combination of Heine, a short form of Heinrich, and Mann "man".
Heiner German
From the given name Heiner.
Heinisch German
From a pet form of the personal name Heinrich.
Heinl German
South German variant of Heinle.
Heinle German
This surname is derived from what may be a pet form of Heinrich.
Heintz German
Variant of Heinz.
Heintzelman German
From a pet form of Heinrich, with the addition of -mann ‘man’.
Heinze German
Variant of Heintze.
Heisenberg German
Made 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 German
German: distinguishing nickname for a farmer whose land included heathland, from Middle Low German heide ‘heath’, ‘wasteland’ + Meyer.
Helber German
Occupational 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 German
Meaning "half penny" or a cheap /stingy man Know surname in Germany andSwitzerland. Helblings were French Huguenot
Held German
The German word for "hero", ultimately derived from Middle High German helt.... [more]
Heldt German
Variant of Held.
Helfer German
Metonymic occupational name for an assistant of some kind, or nickname for a helpful person, from Middle High German hëlfære, German Helfer 'helper', 'assistant'.
Hellenbrand German
Derived 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.... [more]
Heller German
Nickname 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 German
Derived from a personal name composed of the Germanic elements helm "helmet" and wig "battle".
Hellwig German, Dutch
Curiously it started out life in ancient history as the baptismal name, Hell-wig. "luck" & "war;" this name literally translates to, "battle-battle."
Helmeier German, Dutch, Danish
Variant spelling of Helmeyer.
Helmeyer German, Dutch, Danish
From 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.
Helmke German
from a pet form of Helm
Helwig German
Variant of Hellwig.
Hence German, English, Welsh
An 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.
Hendel Yiddish, German, Dutch
From the given name Hendel, a Yiddish diminutive of Hannah.
Hendrickson German
Derivative of the Old German personnel “Heimric” meaning “home rule”.
Henke German
Derived from a diminutive of the name Heinrich.
Henker German
Occupational 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’... [more]
Hennen German, Dutch
Patronymic of Henne.
Henschel German, Jewish
From a pet form of the personal name Johannes (see John), or in some cases from a pet form of Heinrich.
Hentz German
From a nickname for Hans or Heinrich.
Hentze German, Faroese
Derived from the given names Heinrich or Hans.
Herbarth German, Norman
References 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... [more]
Herbolsheimer German
Habitational name for someone from either of two places called Herbolzheim, in Baden and Bavaria.
Herbst German
Nickname 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. The exact application of the nickname is not clear; perhaps it referred to a peasant who had certain obligations to his master at the time of the harvest or it may have been acquired for some other anecdotal reason which is now lost.
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".
Hergenöther German
Habitational name for someone from Hergenroth near Limburg or from Hergenrode near Darmstadt, both in Hessen.
Hermes German, Dutch
From a pet form of the name Herman.
Herold English, Dutch, German
From the given name Herold. This was the surname of David Herold, one of the conspirators in the Abraham Lincoln assassination plot.
Herrman German
Herrman is of ancient German origin. It is derived from a Germanic personal name made up of the elements heri meaning "army," and man meaning "man." Herrman was first found in Prussia, where the name emerged in medieval times as one of the notable families of the region.
Herschbach German
From the name of two municipalities in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany. A notable bearer is the American chemist Dudley R. Herschbach (1932-).
Hertig German
Hertig is associated with the popular German personal name Hartwig, meaning "hard-battle."
Hertzberg German
From Hertz "heart" and berg "mountain"
Hertzel German
The ancestral home of the Hertzel family is in the German province of Bavaria. Hertzel is a German nickname surname. Such names came from eke-names, or added names, that described their initial bearer through reference to a physical characteristic or other attribute... [more]
Herz German
German for 'heart'. Commonly a translation of the Hebrew surname 'Levi'.
Herzfeld German
Derived from the same name of a municipality in Bitburg-Prüm, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
Hess German (?)
It is arguably both tribal and residential, originating from the pre 10th century A.D. It is believed to have originally described people who came from the region known as Hesse. The translation of this name is the 'hooded people'
Heß German, Jewish
Variant spelling of Hess.
Heuer German
The name comes from the German word "Heu" meaning "hay."
Heuermann German
Occupational name for (a freshly hired hand, a day laborer) from Middle High German hūren "to hire" and man "man".
Heuser German
Deriving from one of several places named Hausen.
Hexenjäger German
Hexenjäger is a German last name meaning hunter of witches or witch Hunter.
Heydlauff German (Americanized, Modern)
people lived in the Black Forest region of Germany. Many migrated to Michigan, USA
Heyer English, German, Dutch
English variant of Ayer. ... [more]
Hick German
From a derivative of a Slavic pet form of Heinrich.
Hick German
From Hiko, a pet form of any of the Germanic personal names formed with hild "strife", "battle" as the first element.
Hickenlooper Dutch, German
This surname means hedge hopper.
Hieronymus Dutch, German
From the Greek given name ‘Ιερωνυμος (Hieronymos) meaning "sacred name". (See Jerome.)
Highbaugh German
The altered spelling of Heibach. A habitational name from a place so named in the Rhineland, near Lindlar.
Highland English, German
English, Scottish, and Irish: variant spelling of Hyland.... [more]
Hilbert English, French, Dutch, German
English, French, Dutch, and German: from a Germanic personal name composed of the elements hild ‘strife’, ‘battle’ + berht ‘bright’, ‘famous’.
Hildegard Germanic, German
From the given name Hildegard.
Hildenbrand German
Variant of Hildebrand
Hilfiker German (Swiss)
Altered spelling of Hilfinger, patronymic derivative of the personal name Hilfo, Helfo, a short form of a Germanic personal name based on helfe 'helper'.
Hilger German, Dutch
From a Germanic personal name composed of the elements hild 'strife', 'battle' + gar, ger 'spear'.
Hilgersen German
Means "son of Hilger”. From a Germanic personal name composed of the elements hild 'strife', 'battle' + gar, ger 'spear' and sen 'son'. Most common in Northern Germany.
Hillegas German
German: Variant of Hillegass from a variant of the Germanic personal name Hildegaud, composed of hild ‘strife’, ‘battle’ + got, of uncertain meaning (perhaps the same word as Goth).
Hillenburg English (American), German (Archaic)
Possibly taken from a place named Hallenberg in Germany.
Hilliker German
The last name of Dance Moms star, Kalani Hilliker.
Hiltz German
Variant of Hilz.
Himmel German
German word for "sky"
Himmler German, History
Derived from German Himmel "heaven, sky". This was a topographic name for someone living at a high altitude. ... [more]
Hinckle German (Americanized)
Americanized form of Hinkel.
Hinkebein Dutch, German
Nickname for someone with a limp, from Middle Low German hinken meaning "to limp" + bein meaning "leg".
Hinkel German
Nickname for a timid, fearful person, from dialect hinkel ‘chicken’
Hinkelman German
Elaborated variant of Hinkel, with the addition of Middle High German 'man'.
Hinson German
It means "son of Hinrich"
Hintzell German (Rare)
Variant from name Hintz which was popular in Saxony and Hessen. Name later used in German Prussia. The name Hintz originates as a short form of the personal name Heinrich.
Hinz German, Danish (Rare)
Derived from the given name Hinz, a diminutive of Heinrich.
Hipp German
From the middle high German word hippe meaning "waffle". Perhaps an occupational name for someone who cooks waffles.
Hippe German
Variant of Hipp.
Hirschberg German, Jewish
Derived from many places named Hirschberg in the states of Thuringia and North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany, or the historic city of Jelenia Góra in southwestern Poland. It is composed of Middle High German hirz meaning "deer, stag" and berg meaning "hill, mountain"... [more]
Hirschfeld German, Jewish, Yiddish
Ornamental name composed of German hirsch or Yiddish hirsh meaning "deer" and feld meaning "field". It is also a topographic name for someone who lived in an area of land frequented by deer or where millets grew.
Hirsekorn German
Hirsekorn - millet grain - seems to be of Jewish origin
Hirt Upper German (Anglicized)
From the word Hirten meaning sheep herder.
Hittle German (Anglicized)
Americanized form of German Hüttl (see Huettl).
Hittler German
Variant of Hitler.
Hochfeld German
Means "high field".
Hock German
Topographic name for someone living by a hedge, from a dialect variant of Heck.
Hockton German
In relation to Hock a wine producing region and probably being adopted into Britain via Anglo Saxon settlers.
Hodapp German
1 South German: probably a nickname for a clumsy person, from Middle High German hōh ‘high’, ‘tall’ + the dialect word dapp ‘fool’.... [more]
Hoehn German (Anglicized)
Anglicized spelling of Höhn.
Hoelzer German
German cognate of Holt
Hoen German, Dutch
Nickname from hoen 'chicken', 'hen', perhaps denoting a silly person.
Hoerman English, German
Variant of Herman. Variant of Hörmann.
Hofbauer German
Means - King farmer
Hoferle German (Austrian)
Means "Yard Clearing" from a Combination of the Austrian word Höfer meaning "yard" or "court" with the ancient suffix "le" meaning woodland or clearing.
Hoffa German
Altered form of Hofer. This surname was borne by American labor union leader Jimmy Hoffa (1913-1975?).
Hoffer German
The name Hoffer is derived from the Old German and German word hof, which means settlement, farm or court.
Hoffert German
Variant of Hofer
Hoheisel German
Topographic from the German elements hoh "high" and a diminutive of hus "house".
Hohensee German
Habitational name from any of several places so named in Pomerania and East Prussia, or perhaps from Hohenseeden near Magdeburg.
Hohenzollern German
Royal dynasty of the German Kaiserreich.
Hohn German
Derived from Middle High German hon "chicken". As a surname, it was given to someone who either bred or traded in chickens.... [more]
Holbrook English, German (Anglicized)
English: habitational name from any of various places, for example in Derbyshire, Dorset, and Suffolk, so called from Old English hol ‘hollow’, ‘sunken’ + broc ‘stream’. ... [more]
Holl German, Dutch, English
Short form of German HÖLD or a topographic name meaning "hollow" or "hole".