Swiss
names are used in the country of Switzerland in central Europe.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Monteverdi ItalianDerived from Italian
monte meaning "mountain" and
verdi meaning "green"; literally means "green mountain".
Montigny Frenchhabitational name from (Le) Montigny the name of several places in various parts of France (from a Gallo-Roman estate name Montiniacum formed either from a personal name or from a derivative of
mons "mountain" and the locative suffix
acum)... [
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Montisci ItalianOriginated in Sardinia, Italy in the 17th century given to fishermen
Montone Italiannickname from
montone "ram" (from Medieval Latin
multo genitive
multonis). Or a habitational name from any of numerous places called Montone ("big mountain").
Montoro Spanish, ItalianA Spanish habitational name from any of the places called Montoro in particular those in Córdoba or Teruel provinces. Italian habitational name from any of the places called Montoro in particular Montoro Inferiore and Montoro Superiore in Avellino province.
Montpelier English, FrenchEnglish and French variant of
Montpellier. This is the name of several places in the United States, for example the capital city of the state of Vermont, which was named after the French city of
Montpellier.
Montpellier FrenchMeans "woad mountain", derived from French
mont (itself from Latin
mōns) meaning "mountain" and
pastel (Latin
pastellus,
pestellus) meaning "woad, dye", referring to someone who lived near a mountain that was covered with woad (a plant that produces a blue dye)... [
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Monty French, EnglishTopographic name for a mountain dweller, from Old French mont 'mountain' (Latin mons, montis).
Monvoisin FrenchMarried surname of a infamous 17th century fortune teller and poisoner, Catherine Monvoisin nee Deshayes, known as La Voisin. Executed for witchcraft in 1680 in the affair of the poisons. Her clients included the elite of Paris including a mistress of Louis XIV.
Monzo ItalianPossibly a variant of Monsu, which may be an occupational name for a cook, Calabrian munsu, or a nickname or title from Milanese monsu ‘sir’, ‘lord’, ‘gentleman’.
Mook GermanThis surname means 'flying insect' from a German word that is mauke. (I think it is mauke, I am SO not sure.)
Morabito ItalianUltimately from Arabic
مُرَابِط (
murabit) "holy man, one who preaches in the street; soldier stationed in an outpost", from which comes Sicilian
murabitu "moderate, sober" and
murabbiu "teetotal".
Moralee English, FrenchFirst found in Norfolk where they were seated from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings.
Morant English, FrenchFrom the Old French personal name
Morant, perhaps from a nickname meaning "steadfast", or alternatively of Germanic origin and meaning literally "courage-raven". A known bearer was the British-born Australian soldier and poet Breaker Morant, original name Edwin Henry Murrant (?1864-1902).
Moranville FrenchHabitational name from a commune in France named Moranville, probably derived from the personal name
Morand and Old French
ville "city, town, settlement".
More Frenchnickname for a dark-skinned man from Old French
more "Moor" (from Latin
Maurus). French cognitive of
Moore 3.
Morell RomanshDerived from Latin
maurus "Moorish, North African" as well as a derivation from a diminutive of the given name
Maurus.
Moreschi ItalianNickname for a dark-skinned person, derived from the Medieval Latin word
moro, actually from the Latin
Maurus, meaning, "dark-skinned".
Moro Italian, SpanishNickname from
moro "moor" from Latin
maurus "moor, north african" and Italian variant of
Mauro.
Morreale ItalianHabitational name from the town of Monreale in Sicily, derived from Italian
monte regale meaning "royal mountain".
Mosbrucker GermanTopographic name for someone who lived by a bridge over a swamp, from Middle High German mos meaning "bog", "swamp" + brucke meaning "bridge".
Mosca RomanshYounger form of
Muos-cha which was derived from Romansh
muos-cha "fly (animal)".
Moscatelli ItalianThe name Moscatelli has its origins in a type of grape called Moscatel. This grape has its origin in ancient Egypt or Greece, but it was in Italy that it became famous. Here the farmers that planted the grape became known as the Moscatelli.
Moscato ItalianVariant of the personal name Muscato, also Americanized spelling of Greek Moskatos, a metonymic occupational name for a grower of muscat grapes.
Mosel GermanHabitational name from any of several places so named. topographic name from the
Mosel river in western Germany a tributary of the Rhine that rises in the Vosges and flows through
Lorraine and then a deep winding valley from
Trier to
Koblenz.
Mosele Italian, German (Austrian)This surname is to be found in north-eastern Italy, more specifically in the Vicenza and Verona provinces. Families with this name are certain to be originally from the mountain town of Asiago, situated on a plateau north of Vicenza and now a well-known skiing resort... [
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Most GermanMetonymic occupational name for a producer or seller of must, i.e. unfermented grape juice, from Middle High German
most, ultimately derived from Latin
mustum vinum meaning "young (i.e. fresh) wine"... [
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Motel FrenchTopographic name from a derivative of Old French motte ‘fortified stronghold’.
Motte French, Walloon, Flemish, Germanfrom old French
motte "motte" a word of Gaulish origin denoting a man-made protective mound or moat surrounding a castle or other fortified strongholds; or a habitational name from any of the various places in France and in Belgium named with this word.... [
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Mouton FrenchNickname from Old French
mouton "sheep" used for a docile mild-mannered person for someone easily led or perhaps for a curly-haired man... [
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Möwer German (Rare)Possibly derived from Middle High German
moven "to torment, trouble, burden".
Mozart GermanThe surname was first recorded in the 14th century as
Mozahrt, and later as
Motzhardt in Germany. It is a compound word, the first part of which is Middle High German
mos, also spelt
mosz, and meaning “bog, marsh” in southern dialects (compare modern German
Moos)... [
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Mulè ItalianFrom Arabic
مولى (
mawlan) "guide, chief, lord, master".
Müllerleile GermanDerived from Middle High German
mülnære,
müller meaning "miller" (see
Müller), and the German given names
Lawlin,
Lauwelin and
Lawelin, medieval diminutives of
Nikolaus.
Mullinix FrenchA locational name "of de Moloneaux" probably from the noble family who trace their descent from William the Conqueror, from Molineaux-sur-Seine, near Rouen. The name came to England during the wake of the Norman Conquest... [
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Munich GermanFrom the lower German word for monk, most likely first used as a surname for a former member of a monastery.
Munk German, Scandinavian, Dutch, EnglishFrom Middle High German
münich Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish
munk Middle Dutch
munc "monk" a nickname for someone thought to resemble a monk or a metonymic occupational name for someone in the service of a monastery... [
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Münster German, Dutchhabitational name from any of the places called Münster (in Germany) or Munster derived from Latin
monasterium "monastery" or a topographic name for someone living near a monastery.
Müsch GermanEither a habitational name from a place named Müsch in Germany, or a topographic name meaning "bog", perhaps given to someone living near a bog.
Musch Dutch, GermanFrom Middle Dutch
mussche "house sparrow", a nickname for a quick person, or perhaps someone who was small and weak.
Muskat German, JewishOccupational name for a spice merchant from Middle High German
muscāt meaning "nutmeg mace". As a Jewish name however it is mainly ornamental.
Musso ItalianNickname for someone with some peculiarity of the mouth.
Mutter German(also Mütter): occupational name for an official employed to measure grain, from Middle High German mutte, mütte 'bushel', 'grain measure' (Latin modius) + the agent suffix -er.
Nabrotzky GermanSupposedly means "lived near water". Originated from Prussia.
Nachtmann German, JewishDerived from German
nacht "night" and
mann, referring to a night watchman. As a Jewish name it is ornamental.
Nachtrieb GermanIt possibly comes from the German name of a
nachtrab, which is a "night bird like the owl". Another possible meaning is "night tribe".
Nadeau FrenchVariant of Nadal, which can be a name or the meaning "Christmas".... [
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Nadel German, JewishMetonymic occupational name for a maker of needles, or in some cases for a tailor, from Middle High German
nadel(e), German
Nadel "needle".
Nadig German (Swiss), RomanshDerived from from Old High German
(gi-)nadig "kind", this was a nickname for a kind and benevolent person.
Naitana Italian, SardinianProbably from the name of a disappeared village, itself derived from Latin
navita "sailor, navigator".
Nantz GermanFrom a pet form of a Germanic compound name formed with Nant- (for example, Nantwig, Nantger); its meaning is reflected in Middle High German nenden 'to dare'.
Napello Italiana nickname taken from the plantname
Aconitum napellus, possibly for someone with a 'venerous' character (because the plant is venerous)
Narr GermanNickname for a foolish or silly person, from Middle High German narr ‘fool’, ‘jester’.
Nasers GermanHabitational, derived from any of several places called Nesse in Oldenburg and Friesland.
Nassau German, Dutch, JewishFrom the name of the town of
Nassau in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany (formerly the seat of an independent duchy in the 19th century), derived from Old High German
naz meaning "damp, wet" and
ouwa meaning "water meadow"... [
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Nasser GermanSomeone from any of the places called Nassen, in Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, and Bavaria.
Nast GermanTopographic name for someone who lived in a thickly wooded area, or a metonymic occupational name for a woodcutter, from Middle High German nast meaning "branch", a regional variant of ast, resulting from the misdivision of forms such as ein ast meaning "a branch".
Nau GermanA variant of Neu; meaning "ship" or "boat."
Nault FrenchFrom a short form of various medieval personal names derived from Germanic personal names formed with wald 'rule' as the final element, in particular Arnold.
Navarre FrenchThe name means "By the sea". Originally a country of its own, located between Spain and France, Navarre became a part of France in 1284 when the Queen of Navarre married King Philip IV of France. After much war, becoming independent once again, and falling into Spanish rule, the Kingdom of Navarre is now split between Spain and France.
Necker GermanDenoted a person who lives near the Neckar River, a major tributary of the Rhine.
Neff German, German (Swiss)From Middle High German neve 'nephew', hence probably a distinguishing name for a close relation or familiar of a prominent personage.
Negro Italian, Spanish, Galician, Portuguese, JewishNickname or ethnic name from
negro "black" (continuation of Latin
niger), denoting someone with dark hair, dark eyes, a dark complexion, someone who wore dark clothes, someone who worked a job in the night, or was otherwise associated with the night.
Neher GermanAn occupational name for a tailor from a deritive of Middle Low German, 'nehen' which means 'to sew' or 'to embroider'
Neidhardt GermanFrom the Germanic given name
Nithart, which is derived from Germanic
nit meaning "ambition, hatred" and
hard meaning "hardy, brave, strong".
Nein GermanUnexplained. Perhaps from a short form of a Germanic personal name formed with an element cognate with Old High German niuwi meaning "new".
Neisser GermanGerman demonym of the town of Neisse (nowadays Nysa, in Poland), itself from the name of the river Neisse (Nysa) which runs through the city.
Nenninger GermanHabitational name for someone from Nenningen in Württemberg.
Nerz GermanFrom the German word Nerz meaning "Mink".
Nestler GermanDerived from the middle high German word
nesteler meaning "maker of string or thread".
Neubaum Germantopographic name meaning "new tree" or a habitational name from a place so named. Derived from the elements
niuwi "new"
boum "tree".
Neubert GermanDerived from the German word “neu,” meaning “new,” and the word “Bert,” which is a shortened form of the Germanic given name “Berthold,” meaning “bright ruler.” So, it means “new bright ruler”.
Neuburg GermanFrom the name of various places in Germany and Austria.
Neudorf GermanDerived from various places named Neudorf. From German neu meaning "new" and dorf meaning "village". This surname had been used by the Mennonite communities in Mexico.
Neuenfeldt GermanHabitational name for someone from places so named in Brandenburg and Pomerania, or from places in Lower Saxony or Westphalia called Neuenfelde.
Neufeld German, EnglishNeufeld is a surname of German origin, meaning "new field". It is not seldom in Germany and it is common among German speaking Mennonites from Russia.
Neuger German, French (?)Was popularized by the German community. Famous bearers include investors Win Neuger and Dan Neuger, author Christie Cozad Neuger.
Neuhaus German, JewishTopographical name for someone who lived in a new house, Middle High German niuwe hus, modern German neu Haus, or a habitational name for someone from any of several places named Neuhaus ('new house') in various parts of Germany and Austria, also in Bohemia.
Neujahr Germannickname for someone who owed feudal dues at the New Year, or sometimes a name given to someone born on that day
Neumeyer GermanGerman: distinguishing name for a newly appointed steward or tenant farmer, or one who was a newcomer to an area, from Middle High German niuwe ‘new’ + meier ‘steward’, ‘tenant farmer’ ( see
Meyer 1)... [
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Neuser German (Rare)Person who had ancestors that lived in Germany near Dusseldorf in the town called Neuss.
Neustädter GermanHabitational name for someone from any of many places in Germany and Austria called Neustadt.
Neuwirth GermanGerman and Jewish (Ashkenazic): nickname for a new innkeeper, from Middle High German niuwe ‘new’ + wirt and German neu + Wirt ‘master of a house’, ‘innkeeper’.
Neve FrenchDerived from the place name
En Nève, derived from a misdivision of Old French
en nève "in water".
Neve English, Dutch, German, Danish, SwedishUltimately derived from Old Germanic
nefo "nephew, grandson". In Middle English, it also became a term meaning "wastrel, spendthrift".
Never GermanHabitational surname denoting someone from the town of Nevern (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern), Germany.
Neveu FrenchRelationship name from Old French
neveu "nephew" also "grandson" used to distinguish the two bearers of the same personal name.
Nibbe GermanNickname meaning ‘beak’, or from a short form of a Germanic personal name
Nippo, composed of Old High German
nit ‘hostility’, ‘eagerness’ +
boto ‘messenger’.
Nichter German, YiddishPossibly means "negator, negate" from Middle High German
nicht meaning "not", or "sober", from Middle High German
nüchter. Perhaps it originally denoted a person who was a philosopher, judge, or bartender.
Niederhäuser German, SwissHabitational name from any of numerous places named Niederhaus or Niederhausen, denoting the lower of two dwellings or settlements or one in a low-lying position.
Niedermeier German, German (Austrian)Occupational name for a farmer who had a farm lower than the neighboring one(s). This surname and its variant spellings are common to Austria and the state of Bavaria in Germany.
Niedermeyer GermanMeans "lower farmer", a distinguishing name for a farmer who worked further south or in a low-lying location.
Niedfeldt GermanTopographic name for a person who lived by a lower area of open land, derived from Middle Low German
nider meaning "lower" and
feld meaning "open country".
Niehaus GermanNorth German: topographic name from Middle Low German nie ‘new’ + hus ‘house’; or a habitational name from a common North German and Westphalian farm name with the same meaning.
Nies GermanGerman: from a reduced form of the personal name
Dionys (see
Dennis), which was stressed on the last syllable; this was a popular personal name as a result of the influence of the French Saint
Denis... [
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Nievo ItalianFrom
nievo "grandchild, grandson; nephew", probably used to differentiate between relatives of the same name.
Nimitz GermanDerived from Russian немчин (
nemchin) meaning "German", of Slavic origin. This surname was borne by Chester W. Nimitz (1885-1966), a fleet admiral of the United States Navy during World War II.