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
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Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Gottfried German, Jewish
Derived from the given name Gottfried. A famous bearer was the American comedian and actor Gilbert Gottfried (1955-2022).
Göttgen German
From a Rhenish pet form of the given name Gottfried.
Gottlob German
From the given name Gottlob.
Gottstein German
Topographic name from a field name meaning literally "God's rock" derived from the elements got "god" and stein "stone"... [more]
Götz German
Originally a hypocorism of Gottfried, which is derived from an Old High German given name. Variants include the surnames Getz and Goetz, as well as the given name Götz.
Götze German
From the given name Götz.
Goudier German
Germanic patronym from "godhari" meaning "army of God".
Grabe German
Topographic name for someone who lived by a dike or ditch, or habitational name from either of two places in Thuringia named with this word: Grabe and Graba.
Grabenstein German
Habitational name from Grafenstein near Wohlau, Silesia.
Grable German
Means "digger of ditches or graves" (from a derivative of Middle High German graben "ditch"). A famous bearer was US actress, dancer and singer Betty Grable (1916-1973).
Graef Dutch, German
Variant form of Graf or De Graaf.
Grämlich German
Nickname for an irascible person, derived from Middle High German gramelich, gremlich meaning "angry".
Grammer German, English
Variant of Krämer or a habitational name for someone possibly from German places called Gram or Grammen. It can also be an English occupational name for a scholar or an astrologer, derived from Old French gramaire meaning "grammarian, scholar, astrologer"... [more]
Grass English, German
Topographic name for someone who owned or lived by a meadow, or a metonymic occupational name for someone who made or sold hay, from Middle English gras, Middle High German gras "grass, pasture, grazing".
Gratz German
From a short form of a Germanic personal name reflected by Old High German gratag 'greedy'
Grau German, Jewish
Nickname for someone with gray hair or a gray beard, from German grau "gray".
Graue German
Habitational name from a place so named near Hannover.
Graue German
Variant of Grau.
Graupman German
Occupational name for someone who produced or dealt with grits and legumes, from early modern German graupe "pot barley" (bohemian krupa) and man "man".
Grave German
Either from the northern form of Graf, but more commonly a topographic name from Middle Low German grave "ditch", "moat", "channel", or a habitational name from any of several places in northern Germany named with this word.
Graves English, French, German
Derives from someone who had an occupation as a grave digger or a caretaker for a graveyard.
Grawert Low German, German (East Prussian)
As a Low German name, Grawert is derived from Middle High German grā and Old High German grāo "gray" (originally "shimmery, gleaming"). As a surname, it was a nickname given to someone with gray hair.... [more]
Grebenstein German
Means "stone from the cliff or ridge" from German greben, (cliff or ridge) and stein (stone).... [more]
Greenberger German, Jewish
Anglicized form of the German surname Grünberger, which is formed from the words grün "green", Berg "mountain", and the habitational suffix -er. This name indicated a person who lived on or near a forest-covered mountain.
Greenburgh German, Jewish
The surname Greenburgh is anglicized for the German Jewish surname Greenberg which translates into English as green mountain.
Greenfield English, German (Americanized)
habitational name either from any of numerous minor places called Greenfield, for example in Bedfordshire, Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire, Sussex, and Yorkshire, from Old English grene "green" and feld "pasture, open country"... [more]
Greet German
Americanized form of German Fried.
Greif German
Means "Griffin" in German. From the mythological creature.
Greiner Upper German, German (Swiss)
Nickname for a quarrelsome or cantankerous person, derived from Middle High German grīner meaning "squabbler, quarreler" (ultimately an agent derivative of grīn meaning "loud, cry, screaming, shouting")... [more]
Grell German
Nickname for an irritable or irascible person, from Middle High German, Middle Low German grellen "to be angry".
Grell German
Habitational name from a place named Grelle.
Grelle German
Variant of Grell.
Gretzinger German
Habitational name for someone from any of three places named Grötzingen (Old High German Grezzingun) in Baden-Württemberg.
Grewe German, Low German
Low German form of Graf via Middle Low German grave / greve.
Griebe German
Occupational name for a butcher or fat dealer from Middle High German griebe griube "rendered bacon pieces crackling".
Griece German
Presumably a variant of Griese or Grieser.
Gries Upper German
Topographic name for someone who lived in a sandy place from Middle High German griez meaning “sand pebble” or a shortened form of German Griese.
Grieser Upper German
topographic name for someone living on a sandy site, from Middle High German griez ‘sand’ + -er suffix denoting an inhabitant.
Griessler German
Topographic name for someone who lived or farmed in an area of sand.
Griezmann German (Rare)
This is the surname of French professional footballer Antoine Griezmann.
Grill German
From a nickname for a cheerful person, from Middle High German grille "cricket" (Old High German grillo, from Late Latin grillus, Greek gryllos). The insect is widely supposed to be of a cheerful disposition, no doubt because of its habit of infesting hearths and warm places... [more]
Grimké German (Americanized)
Americanised form of the German surname Grimk or Grimke with French inspiration. This was the name of a prominent American family of abolitionists.
Grimme German
Variant of Grimm.
Grindstaff German (Anglicized)
Americanized form of German Frenzhof or Grenzhof, a place near Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg or Granzow, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in Germany.
Grindy German (Modern), French
I have seen elsewhere explanations about this name being German or French in origin. Sorry, I do not have the sources to hand
Griner German (Anglicized), Jewish
Americanised form of German Greiner. It could also denote a person who came from various German places called Grüna or Grünau. In Jewish, it is a topographic name for someone who lived in a green of leafy area, derived from Yiddish grin meaning "green" or Middle High German gruene meaning "greenery".
Grob German
A nickname for a strong, heavy man, or for a lout, from Middle High German g(e)rop "coarse".
Grohl German
Meaning uncertain, but likely a variant of Groll.
Groll German
Derived from grollen, 'to be angry', often used as a nickname for an angry or sulky individual.
Grosch German
Either a metonymic occupational name for a moneyer or possibly a nickname for an avaricious person from Middle High German Middle Low German grosche "groschen" a medieval thick silver coin its name ultimately derived from medieval Latin denarius grossus literally "thick coin".
Großkreutz German
From German "groß" meaning big and "kreutz" meaning cross.
Grove German
Form of Grob.
Grove German
Habitational name from any of several places named Grove or Groven in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, derived from Middle Low Germany grove "hole, pit, ditch, channel"... [more]
Grove German
Variation of Graf.
Grube German
Name for someone who lived in a depression or hollow, from Middle High German gruobe "pit", "hollow". See also Gruber.
Grube German
From the personal name Grubo.
Grumbach German (Swiss), Alsatian
From the name of various places in Switzerland and Germany, for example the municipality of Grumbach in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Grün German, Jewish
from Middle High German gruoni "green fresh raw" hence a nickname for someone who habitually dressed in green a topographic name for someone who lived in a green and leafy place or a habitational name for someone from a place called with this word such as Gruna Grunau in Silesia... [more]
Grünbaum German, Jewish
from Middle High German gruoni "green" and boum "tree" probably a topographic or habitational name referring to a house distinguished by the sign of a tree in leaf... [more]
Grundel German, Swedish
A German/swedish name. Meaning unknown, possibly means "bottom". A person bearing this surname is Heinz Grundel, a former footballer. ... [more]
Grünfeld German, Jewish
Habitational name from any of several places in northern and central Germany named Grünfeld named with elements meaning "green open country" derived from the elements gruoni "green" and feld "field"... [more]
Grünwald German, Jewish
Habitational name from any of various places called Grünewald from Middle High German gruoni "green" and wald "wood forest"... [more]
Grunwald German, German (Swiss), Jewish
German and Swiss German (Grünwald): habitational name from any of various places named Grün(e)wald, from Middle High German gruene ‘green’ + walt ‘wood’, ‘forest’. ... [more]
Gschwendtner German (Austrian)
From the German word "schwenden", which means "swidden agriculture" in English
Gubler German (Swiss)
Means "Of the Mountains"... [more]
Guengerich German (Americanized)
Potentially from German “junge” and “reich,” meaning “rich at a young age.” Anglicized by immigrants as either Guengerich or Gingrich.
Guenther German
German: from a Germanic personal name composed of gund ‘battle’ + hari, heri ‘army’.
Guggenberger German
A habitation surname originating from Guggenberg, Bavaria.
Guido Italian, German
From the given name Guido.
Guilleaume French, German
Possibly related to the French given name Guillaume.
Gülden German
Variant of Gulden, a metonymic occupational name for a craftsman who gilded objects, or a habitational name referring to a house name such as In den silvren Gulden ("In the Silver Guilder"), De Gulden Hoeve ("The Gilded Farmhouse") or De Gulden Zwaan ("The Gilded Swan").
Gulden Dutch, German
Means "golden, gilded" or "guilder, florin (coin)", possibly an occupational name for a goldsmith, or a habitational name derived from a house.
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."
Gutherz German, Jewish
Nickname for a kindly or righteous person. Derived from Middle High German guot meaning "good" and herz meaning "heart".
Gutjahr German, German (Swiss)
nickname for someone born on New Year's Day from a New Year's greeting meaning "Good year".
Gutknecht German, German (Swiss)
Status name for a page of noble birth (Middle High German guot kneht).
Gutknecht German, German (Swiss)
status name for a page of noble birth (Middle High German guot kneht). Derived from the elements guot "good" and kneht "servant, apprentice".
Gütlin German, Yiddish
Diminutive of GUTE and GUTA, recorded in Frankfurt, Germany throughout the 14th century.
Gutmann German, Jewish (Ashkenazi)
German cognate of Goodman. from Middle High German guot man literally "good man, capable man" derived from the elements guot "good" and man "man"... [more]
Gutting German
Of uncertain origin. Probably from a Germanic personal name formed with god "good" or god, got "god".
Gutwald f German
Gutwald is a surname of German origin, which can be derived from the German words ‘Gut’ meaning ‘good’ and ‘Wald’ meaning ‘woods’, thus creating the meaning ‘good woods’. The surname is also derived from the German personal name 'Gottwald', which was derived from the Old High German 'Gottwalt' meaning ‘rule of God’ or ‘God’s power’.
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.
Häberli German (Swiss)
Derived from Alemannic and Upper German Haber, a variant of Standard High German Hafer "oats" in combination with the diminutive suffix -li. This name denoted a young farmer of oats.
Habermann German, Jewish
Occupational name for a grower or seller of oats, composed of the elements Haber and the agent suffix -mann.
Habermehl German
metonymic occupational name for a producer or seller of oatmeal from Middle High German habaro "oats" and melo "flour".
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.
Hackler German
Occupational name for someone who used a small hoe in the field or a vineyard.
Hackmann German, Jewish
Occupational name for a butcher or a woodcutter.
Haefele Upper German
Occupational name for a potter.
Häfeli German (Swiss)
Occupational name for a potter.
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.
Hagedorn German, Dutch
German and Dutch cognate of Hawthorne. Topographic name from Middle High German hagedorn "hawthorn" from hag "hedge" and dorn "thorn"... [more]
Hagelberg German
From German hagel meaning "hail" and berg meaning "mountain".
Hagelstein German
nickname for a hot-headed irascible man from Middle High German hagelstein "hailstone" derived from the elements hagel "hail" and stein "stone"
Hageman German (Americanized)
Americanized form of German Hagemann.
Hagemann German, Danish
Derived from Middle Low German hage "enclosure, hedge" and mann "person, man".
Hagen German, Dutch, Danish
from the ancient Germanic personal name Hagen a short form of various compound names formed with hag "enclosure protected place" as the first element... [more]
Hägler German (Swiss), Jewish
Accented form of Hagler. Primarily used in Switzerland.
Hagler German (Austrian), Jewish
Topographic name for someone who lived by a hedge or enclosure.
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.
Haircut English (Australian, Archaic), German (Anglicized, ?)
Possibly an occupational name for a barber. Alternatively, it could also be an anglicized form of Herrgott.
Halberstadt German
Habitational name from any of various places so named, notably the city near Magdeburg and Halberstadt near Königstein in Saxony.
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 German, Jewish
Habitational name from the town of Hamelin, which sits on the Hamel river.
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.
Hans German, Dutch, Alsatian, Romansh
Derived from the given name Hans.
Hänsel German
Derived from the given name Hänsel.
Hansli German (Swiss), Romansh
Derived from a diminutive form of the given name Hans.
Hantel German (Rare)
Rare Bukovina German variant of Händel.
Hanz German
Variant of Hans.
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.
Harmann German
Derived from the name Hermann and Harmann. German cognate of Harman and variant of Hermann and Herrmann.
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.
Hartlieb German
Derived from the given name Hartlieb.
Hartnagel German
Occupational name for a nailsmith from the Middle High German elements hart "hard" and nagal "nail".
Hartranft German
descriptive nickname for a pauper from Middle High German hart "hard" and ranft "rind crust".
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.
Harvick German
Possible anglicized version of Herwig or Hartwig. Also possible anglicized version Harwick.
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.
Hasselhof German
Derived from a village named "Hasselhof" near Frankfurt.
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.
Hausknecht German
occupational name from Middle High German hus "house" and kneht "boy servant" also "town-hall, messenger".
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'.
Häuter German, Jewish
German cognate of Skinner, from German haut "skin, hide".
Haver English, German, Dutch, Norwegian, Jewish
Occupational name for someone who grows or sells oats.
Haverkamp German, Dutch
Topographic name for someone who lived on an oat field from Middle Low German haver "oats" and kamp "field".
Havertz German
Variant of Hafer.
Havner German
Variant of Hafner.
Haydn German
Meaning "heathen". Famous bearer is Austrian composer Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809).
Haydt German
Varient of Heid.
Hayner English (American), German
Possibly a variant of Heiner.
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.
Hebert French, German
From the personal name Hebert or Egbert.
Hecht German
Means "pike (fish)" in German, 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.
Heckenlaible German (Rare)
Probably derived from Middle High German hecke "hedge" and a diminutive form of loube "arbour, bower".
Hecker German
German form of Hatcher.
Hecking German
The surname "Hecking" is a German language surname, likely of topographic origin. It is thought to derive from the Middle High German word "hecke" or "hegge", meaning "hedge". This suggests that individuals with this surname may have originally lived near a hedge or boundary... [more]
Hedrick German (Americanized)
This name has a very obscure origin. With the name being of German origin but with notably more people living in England. It means, "Combatant ruler/Ruler of the heathland
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]
Heiche German, Low German
Possibly a short form of a Germanic personal name, such as Heinrich, Hugo, or Hagen.
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 heide, heidr, haith all meaning "heath"... [more]
Heidel German
Possibly derived from the given name Heidi.
Heidelberg German, Jewish (Ashkenazi)
Habitational name from any of the places called Heidelberg, of which the best-known example is in Bade.
Heidemann German, Jewish
Topographic name for a heathland dweller from heida "heath" (see Heid) and mann "man".
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.
Heier German
The Heier surname is an occupational name from the Middle High German word "heie", which means "ranger guard".
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.
Heil German, Upper German, Dutch
1. German: from a pet form of Heinrich. ... [more]
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.
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