| 2 |
Schneider |
Austro-Bavarian, Jewish (Ashkenazic), and German surname based on the German occupational surname Schneider used to describe a person making fitted clothes, a tailor. The name derived from the Middle High German verb sniden, meaning "to cut" and the male suffix -er. It is a relative of the English surname Tailor. |
318,741 |
| 3 |
Fischer |
German surname based on the occupational surname for a person catching fish, a fisherman. The name derived from the Middle High German occupational surname vischaere meaning "fisherman." |
242,082 |
| 4 |
Weber |
German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname based on the occupational surname Weber for a person weaving cloth, a weaver. The name derived from the Middle High German word webaere meaning weaver. The English surnames Weaver, Webber, Webster, and Webb can be considered cognates. |
231,054 |
| 5 |
Wagner |
German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname based on the occupational surname Wagner for a person making, repairing, or driving carts and wagons, a cartwright, wainwright, or carter. The name derived from the Middle High German word wagenaere which meant "cart maker" or "carriage driver"; the English surnames Carter and Wainwright can be considered relatives. |
212,460 |
| 6 |
Meyer |
German surname based on the occupational surname for a chief farmer overseeing a manor and working in the service of a feudal landowner. The name derived from the Middle High German occupational surname Mei(g)er describing a steward on a farm or estate, a ruler's servant. The name is similar in its meaning to the German occupational surname Hofmann. Whereas in Northern Germany Meier and Meyer are more common, the spelling Maier and Mayer is more prevalent in the south. The English surname Meyer is the equivalent. |
206,577 |
| 7 |
Becker |
German surname based on the occupational surname for a maker and seller of breads and cakes, a baker. The name derived from the German word Bäcker (baker). |
206,005 |
| 8 |
Hoffmann |
German surname based on the occupational surname for a farmer mortgaged with a manor and working in the service of a feudal landowner. The name derived from the Middle High German occupational surname Hoveman to describe a steward on a farm or estate, a ruler's servant. It is a combination of the two German nouns Hof (farm, yard, or court) and Mann (man). The German surnames Meier, Meyer, Maier, and Mayer have the same meaning. |
180,754 |
| 9 |
Bauer |
German surname based on the occupational surname for a farmer or peasant, a Bauer in German. The name derived from the Middle High German word būr meaning "peasant." |
172,248 |
| 10 |
Schulz |
German surname based on a shortened version of the German occupational surname Schulze. The name derived from a contracted form of the Middle High German office title schultheize who was a village headman or communal conciliator, a lower ranking judge or arbiter, and also in charge of collecting the levies, dues, debts, and taxes. The English surname Shultz is a relative. |
171,878 |
| 11 |
Müller |
Austro-Bavarian, German, Swiss German, and Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname based on the occupational surname Müller describing a person who owns or works in a grain mill, a miller. The name derived from the Middle High German noun mül (mill) and the male suffix -er; it is related to the English surname Miller. |
167,104 |
| 12 |
Klein |
German surname based on a moniker developed from the German adjective klein meaning "little," "slender," and "short." The name derived from the Middle High German adjective klein of the same meaning. In Middle and Old High German, however, kleine could also mean "smart," "keen," and "perceptive." |
156,782 |
| 13 |
Richter |
German surname based on the German occupational surname describing a public officer authorized to hear and decide court cases and disputes, a judge or arbiter. The name derived from the Middle High German word rihte (court of law) and the male suffix -er. The name also referred to the hereditary position of a village headman or communal conciliator, a Dorfschulze in Germany. |
156,210 |
| 14 |
Koch |
German surname based on the occupational surname for a person who prepares food as a profession, a cook. The name derived from the Middle High German koch of the same meaning; the English surname Cook is a relative. |
149,486 |
| 15 |
Braun |
German surname based on the German adjective braun (brown). The name may have been used to describe someone of darker hair, skin, or eye colors. |
148,242 |
| 16 |
Meier |
German surname based on the occupational surname for a chief farmer overseeing a manor and working in the service of a feudal landowner. The name derived from the Middle High German occupational surname Mei(g)er describing a steward on a farm or estate, a ruler's servant. The name is similar in its meaning to the German occupational surname Hofmann. Whereas in Northern Germany Meier and Meyer are more common, the spelling Maier and Mayer is more prevalent in the south. The English surname Meyer is the equivalent. |
146,359 |
| 17 |
Neumann |
German surname based on the adjective neu (new) and the noun Mann (man), meaning "newcomer." The name derived from the Middle High German word niuwe (new); the English surname Newman is its equivalent. |
127,160 |
| 18 |
Schwarz |
Austro-Bavarian, Jewish (Ashkenazic), and German surname based on a moniker originating in the German word schwarz (black). The name derived from the Middle High German word swarz meaning "dark" or "black" and might have been used for a dark haired person or a person of darker skin. |
124,639 |
| 19 |
Mayer |
German surname based on the occupational surname for a chief farmer overseeing a manor and working in the service of a feudal landowner. The name derived from the Middle High German occupational surname Mei(g)er describing a steward on a farm or estate, a ruler's servant. The name is similar in its meaning to the German occupational surname Hofmann. Whereas in Northern Germany Meier and Meyer are more common, the spelling Maier and Mayer is more prevalent in the south. The English surname Meyer is the equivalent. |
122,924 |
| 20 |
Maier |
German surname based on the occupational surname for a chief farmer overseeing a manor and working in the service of a feudal landowner. The name derived from the Middle High German occupational surname Mei(g)er describing a steward on a farm or estate, a ruler's servant. The name is similar in its meaning to the German occupational surname Hofmann. Whereas in Northern Germany Meier and Meyer are more common, the spelling Maier and Mayer is more prevalent in the south. The English surname Meyer is the equivalent. |
120,100 |
| 21 |
Zimmermann |
German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname based on the occupational surname Zimmermann for a craftsman building or repairing wooden structures and objects, a carpenter. The name derived from the Middle High German word zimberman of the same meaning. Zimmerman is the Americanized spelling of this name, the English surname Carpenter is a relative. |
115,930 |
| 22 |
Hartmann |
German surname based on the male German given name Hartmann. It derived from the Germanic name Hardman, a Germanic compound consisting of hard for "brave" and man for "man." |
106,314 |
| 23 |
Werner |
German surname based on the male German given name Werner. It derived from the Germanic compound Warinhari which combined the elements warin (guard) and hari (army). |
105,272 |
| 24 |
Hofmann |
German surname based on the occupational surname for a farmer mortgaged with a manor and working in the service of a feudal landowner. The name derived from the Middle High German occupational surname Hoveman to describe a steward on a farm or estate, a ruler's servant. It is a combination of the two German nouns Hof (farm, yard, or court) and Mann (man). The German surnames Meier, Meyer, Maier, and Mayer have the same meaning. |
105,205 |
| 25 |
Schmitz |
German patronymic surname based on the German occupational surname Schmidt used to describe a person who forges and shapes horseshoes and other iron objects, a blacksmith, meaning "of the blacksmith." The name derived from the Middle High German word smit for "metal worker" or "smith" and is the equivalent of the English surname Smithson. |
102,246 |
| 26 |
Krause |
German surname most likely based on a moniker for a curly haired person. The name derived from the Middle High German word krus meaning "curly." It is also possible that the name developed as an occupational surname for the maker of jugs and cans based on the Middle High German kruse (earthenware jug). |
93,975 |
| 27 |
Huber |
Austro-Bavarian, Swiss German, and German surname based on the Middle High German noun huobe and the male suffix -er. A huobe was a piece of hereditary fief land of 30 to 60 acres, so the farmer who had leased or acquired this land through hereditary land tenure would be called Huber in Southern Germany and Austria. In Northern Germany, the name Hufner became the equivalent. The name could have also derived from a toponym related to one of the places called Hub in Bavaria and Austria. |
93,437 |
| 28 |
Lange |
German surname based on a moniker given to a tall person. The name derived from the German adjective lang (long, tall) which originated in the Middle High German adjective lanc. While the name Lang was traditionally more common in Germany's south, Austria, and Switzerland, the name's version Lange is more prevalent in Northern Germany. |
98,010 |
| 29 |
Schmitt |
German surname based on the German occupational surname Schmidt used to describe a person who forges and shapes horseshoes and other iron objects, a blacksmith. The name derived from the Middle High German word smit for "metal worker" or "smith" and is the equivalent of the English surname Smith. |
105,138 |
| 30 |
Lehmann |
German, Austro-Bavarian, and Swiss German surname based on caste system rank as a feudatory or vassal or on an occupational surname for a tenant farmer at a fiefdom. The name derived as a compound from the Middle High German word lehen used to describe a fiefdom, land granted by a lord to his vassal, and the noun Mann (man). The German surnames Lechner, Lehner, and Lehmann share the same meaning. |
93,437 |
| 31 |
Kaiser |
German surname based on a moniker or toponym related to the German word Kaiser which means "emperor." The name derived from the Middle High German noun keiser which originated from the Latin name Caesar. As a moniker, the name could have been used for someone pompous, self-important, or cocky. The name could have also developed from a place by a name such as "Zum Kaiser." |
91,285 |
| 32 |
Schmidt |
German surname based on the German occupational surname Schmidt used to describe a person who forges and shapes horseshoes and other iron objects, a blacksmith. The name derived from the Middle High German word smit for "metal worker" or "smith" and is the equivalent of the English surname Smith. |
90,848 |
| 33 |
Keller |
German surname based on the occupational surname for a medieval ministerial official overseeing the provisions and finances, a cellarer. The name derived from the Middle High German word kelleraere meaning "keeper of the cellar" or "cellarman." |
87,015 |
| 34 |
Lang |
German surname based on a moniker given to a tall person. The name derived from the German adjective lang (long, tall) which originated in the Middle High German adjective lanc. While the name Lang was traditionally more common in Germany's south, Austria, and Switzerland, the name's version Lange is more prevalent in Northern Germany. |
85,737 |
| 35 |
Schulze |
German surname based on a version of the German occupational surname Schulze. The name derived from a contracted form of the Middle High German office title schultheize who was a village headman or communal conciliator, a lower ranking judge or arbiter, and also in charge of collecting the levies, dues, debts, and taxes. The English surname Shultz is a relative. |
81,400 |
| 36 |
Jung |
German surname based on the German adjective for "young" (jung). The name derived from the Middle High German junc meaning "young" and "cheerful." The English surname Young is the equivalent. |
76,626 |
| 37 |
Vogel |
German surname based on a moniker, status, or occupational surname. The name derived from the Middle High German words fugel and vogel which meant "bird" and could have referred to someone cheerful, joyful, and singing a lot. The name could have also referred to someone declared an outlaw, vogelfrei. It is also possible that the name described a person catching birds. |
72,490 |
| 38 |
Friedrich |
German surname based on the male German given name Friedrich. The name derived from the Germanic compound of frid (peaceful) and ric (ruler) Friduric and is related to the English name Frederick. |
71,616 |
| 39 |
Berger |
German surname based on a toponym for someone living in the mountains or a mountaineer. It derived from the German noun Berg (mountain) and the male suffix -er. |
90,478 |
| 40 |
Walter |
German surname based on the male German given name Walter. It derived from the Germanic name Waldhari which combined the elements wald (ruler) and hari (army). The English name Walter is this name's equivalent. |
88,461 |
| 41 |
Fuchs |
German surname based on the German word Fuchs which means "fox." The name derived from the Middle High German as a moniker for a smart or red-haired person. |
82,543 |
| 42 |
Hahn |
German surname based on the German word Hahn meaning "rooster." The name derived from the Middle High German word hane for this animal and might have developed as a moniker for someone getting up early or also for someone cocky or feisty. It is also possible that the name Hahn developed as a short form of the male German given name Johannes. This name derived from the Greek name Ioannes originating in the Hebrew Yochanan meaning "Yahweh is gracious." It corresponds to the English surnames Jones and Johnson. Hahn also became a common ornamental surname for Ashkenazic Jews. |
70,540 |
| 43 |
Scholz |
German surname based on the Silesian version of the German occupational surname Schulz. The name derived from the Middle High German office title schultheize who was a village headman or communal conciliator, a lower ranking judge or arbiter, and also in charge of collecting the levies, dues, debts, and taxes. The English surname Shultz is a relative. |
69,296 |
| 44 |
Beck |
German surname based on the occupational surname for a maker and seller of breads and cakes, a baker, or on the toponym for someone living near a creek. The name could have derived either from a short form of the German noun Bäcker (baker) or from the dialect version Beck of the German noun Bach, meaning "creek." |
70,876 |
| 45 |
Herrmann |
German surname based on the male German given name Hermann. It derived from the Germanic compound Heriman in which heri meant "army" and man stood for "man." The English name Herman is a relative. |
80,526 |
| 46 |
Frank |
Surname based on the male German given name Frank. The name derived from a toponym for people from Franconia, the Germanic tribe of the Franks. The name also became common among speakers of English, Dutch, and French. |
70,843 |
| 47 |
Graf |
German surname based on the Middle High German title Grave which referred to an aristocratic dignitary or official. The title later became equivalent to a count's. The name most likely derived from an occupational surname for a servant or retainer of a count or from a moniker given to someone known for his airs and graces or someone aloof. |
70,674 |
| 48 |
Schubert |
German or Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname based on the German occupational surname Schubert used to describe a person making and repairing shoes, a shoemaker. The name derived from the Middle High German word schuochbüezaere which meant "cobbler" or "shoe mender." Shubert is the Americanized spelling of this name, the English surname Shoemaker is a relative. |
67,716 |
| 49 |
Roth |
German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname based on a moniker or toponym. It was used as a Jewish (Ashkenazic) ornamental surname. The name derived from the Middle High German word rōt meaning "red" and thus could have referred to a red haired person. The name could have also referred to someone coming from the town of Roth. |
66,203 |
| 50 |
Weiss |
German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname probably based on a moniker for a white haired or pale person. The name derived from the Middle High German adjective wiz for "white." It corresponds to the English surnames White. |
64,017 |
| 51 |
Lorenz |
German surname based on the male German given name Lorenz. It derived from the Roman toponym Laurentius which meant "from the city of Laurentum." The name of this place may have originated in the Latin word laurus meaning "laurel." The English names Laurence, Lawrence, Loren, and Lorin are relatives. |
64,353 |
| 52 |
Stein |
German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname based on a toponym or an occupational surname. The name derived from the Middle High German word stein which meant "rock," "stone," or "fortress." Thus, the name could have been used for a person living on stony ground, near a rock formation, or near a notable fort or castle. The name could also be based on an occupational surname for someone hewing rocks. The English surnames Stone and Steen can be considered relatives. |
63,782 |
| 53 |
Kraus |
German surname most likely based on a moniker for a curly haired person. The name derived from the Middle High German word krus meaning "curly." It is also possible that the name developed as an occupational surname for the maker of jugs and cans based on the Middle High German kruse (earthenware jug). |
63,009 |
| 54 |
Simon |
German surname based on the male German given name Simon. It derived from the Greek name Simon originating in the Hebrew name Shimon and means "He has heard." and corresponds to the English name Simon. |
62,471 |
| 55 |
Baumann |
German surname based on the occupational surname for a peasant or tenant farmer, combining the elements Bauer (farmer) and -mann (man). The name derived from the Middle High German noun būrman meaning "peasant." |
61,697 |
| 56 |
Kramer |
German surname based on the occupational surname Kramer for a peddler, schlockmeister, hawker, or merchant. The name derived from the Middle High German word kram which referred to a trading post's canvas sheet or tent roof where the goods were offered. |
61,630 |
| 57 |
Kuhn |
German surname most likely based on the short form Kuhn of the male German given name Konrad. This name derived from the Germanic compound Kuonirad in which kuoni meant "brave" and rad stood for "counsel." The English name Conrad is a relative. The name Kuhn could also have developed directly from the German adjective kühn (bold, brave) based on the Middle High German kuoni. |
60,151 |
| 58 |
Schäfer |
German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname based on the German occupational surname Schäfer describing a person tending to and guarding sheep, a shepherd. The name derived from the Middle High German word schaf meaning "sheep" and the male suffix -er. The English surname Shepherd is a relative. |
59,344 |
| 59 |
Sommer |
Austro-Bavarian and German surname most likely based on the German word Sommer for "summer." The name could have also derived from the Middle High German word summer which meant "wickerwork," "basket," or "drum" and could therefore refer to an occupational surname for the producer of any of these products. As a toponym or moniker, it could have referred to someone living on the sunny side. |
57,932 |
| 60 |
Winkler |
German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname probably based on a toponym or occupational surname for someone living at or owning a farm, house, or store at a street corner. This name derived from the Middle High German word winkel meaning "corner" or "edge." It is also possible that the name is based on an occupational surname for the keeper of a wine cellar, derived from the Middle High German word winkeller (wine cellar). |
57,898 |
| 61 |
Schuster |
German or Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname based on the German occupational surname Schuster used to describe a person making and repairing shoes, a shoemaker. The name derived from the Middle High German word schuochsutaere which meant "cobbler" or "shoe mender." The Yiddish spelling is Shuster; the English surname Shoemaker can be considered an equivalent. |
57,663 |
| 62 |
Schumacher |
German or Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname based on the German occupational surname Schumacher used to describe a person making and repairing shoes, a shoemaker. The name derived from the Middle High German word schuochmachaere which meant "cobbler" or "shoemaker." The English surname Shoemaker is a relative. |
59,209 |
| 63 |
Engel |
German surname based on a moniker or ornamental surname. The German word Engel means "angel"; the English name Angel is a relative. |
56,351 |
| 64 |
Albrecht |
German surname based on the male German given name Albrecht. The name derived from the Germanic name Adalbrecht which was a compound of adal meaning "noble" and beraht meaning "bright." The English name Albert is a relative. |
56,284 |
| 65 |
Franke |
Surname based on the male German given name Frank. The name derived from a toponym for people from Franconia, the Germanic tribe of the Franks. |
55,679 |
| 66 |
Ludwig |
German surname based on the male German given name Ludwig. It derived from the Germanic compound Chlodovech which represented hlud (famous) and wig (battle). The English names Lewis, Lou, Louie, and Louis are relatives. |
55,309 |
| 67 |
Heinrich |
German surname based on the male German given name Heinrich. It derived from the Germanic compound Heimirich in which heim stood for "home" and ric for "ruler." The English name Henry is a relative. |
53,998 |
| 68 |
Haas |
German surname based on the German noun Hase (hare). The name derived from a moniker for a swift or sometimes anxious person. It is most likely that the name also became an ornamental surname for Jewish (Ashkenazic) people in German speaking regions. It is not clear whether or not it could have also been used as an occupational surname for a hunter. |
51,308 |
| 69 |
Vogt |
German surname based on the occupational surname Vogt. The name derived from the Middle High German office title voget for a person with supervisory authority, a bailiff, or counsel. |
50,703 |
| 70 |
Jansen |
German patronymic surname based on the male German first name Jan, meaning "son of Jan." It derived from the male German given name Johannes which originated in the
Greek name Ioannes and the Hebrew Yochanan meaning "Yahweh is gracious." It corresponds to the English surname Johnson. |
50,064 |
| 71 |
Otto |
German surname based on the male German and English given name Otto. It derived from the Germanic word aud which meant "wealth" and "fortune." |
49,593 |
| 72 |
Ernst |
German surname based on the male German given name Ernst. The name derived from the Germanic root eornost which meant "serious." The German adjective ernst carries the same meaning today. The English names Earnest and Ernest are relatives. |
48,753 |
| 73 |
Groß |
German surname based on the moniker for a tall person. It derived from the Middle High German adjective gröz which stood for "big," "tall," and "respected." |
48,114 |
| 74 |
Dietrich |
Surname based on the male German given Dietrich. The name derived from the male Germanic given name Theodoric which meant "ruler of the people" based on theud (people) and ric (ruler). The English names Dederick and Derrick are relatives. |
47,441 |
| 75 |
Schreiber |
German or Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname based on the occupational German surname Schreiber used to describe a clerk, scribe, scrivener, or writer. The name derived from the Middle High German word schriben (to write) which originated in the Latin scribere and the male suffix -er. |
47,240 |
| 76 |
Schiefer |
German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname based on the German occupational surname for a craftsman laying or repairing roofs, a roofer. The name derived from the Middle High German word schiver which meant "slate." |
46,803 |
| 77 |
Brandt |
German surname based on the short form Brandt of male German given names like Hildebrand, Hadebrand, or Herbrand. Those names derived from Germanic compounds containing the element brand meaning "sword." |
46,634 |
| 78 |
Kern |
German surname based on an occupational surname. The name derived from the Middle High German kerne which meant "grain," "seed," "pip," or "core" and could have been used for a farmer. |
46,433 |
| 79 |
Hansen |
German patronymic surname based on the male German given name Hans and the Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, or Low German possessive suffix -sen, meaning "son of Hans." The name derived as a short form of Johannes, the Latin form of the Greek name and the Hebrew Yochanan meaning "Yahweh is gracious." It corresponds to the English surname Johnson. |
46,197 |
| 80 |
Wang |
As a German surname, this name could be based on a toponym referring to someone coming from the Bavarian municipality of Wang or on an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German word wangaere which meant "pillow" or "pillow maker." The name could also represent the Chinese or Vietnamese surname Wang derived from the Chinese word for "king." |
45,357 |
| 81 |
Bergmann |
German surname based on a toponym or occupational surname. The name derived from the German nouns Berg (mountain) and Mann (man) and could therefore refer to someone living in the mountains, a mountaineer, or a miner. |
45,088 |
| 82 |
Wolff |
German surname based on the male German given name Wolf or on the diminutive for the male German given names Wolfgang, Wolfram, or any others based on the Germanic syllable wolf meaning "wolf." It could also have derived as a moniker for "the wild one." The English names Wolf or Wolfe are equivalents. |
44,583 |
| 83 |
Seidel |
Austro-Bavarian and German surname based on the German occupational surname Seidel for a maker of wooden mugs or seidels. The name derived from the Middle High German word sidil which originated in the Latin noun situla meaning "urn," "jar," or "vase." |
44,180 |
| 84 |
Li |
Surname probably identical with the Korean ornamental surname derived from the word for "plum tree," a symbol for fertility and for spring triumphing over winter. |
46,298 |
| 85 |
Ritter |
Austro-Bavarian and German surname based on caste system rank as a knight or on an occupational surname for a warrior in the service of the ruler. The name derived from the Middle High German word ritaere which meant "horse rider," "combatant," and "member of the order of knights." English surname equivalents include the names Rider, Ryder, and Knight. |
44,012 |
| 86 |
Berg |
German surname based on a toponym referring to someone living on or near a mountain (Berg) and the male suffix -er or to someone coming from a place called Berg, Berga, Berge, or Bergen and the male suffix -er. |
43,810 |
| 87 |
Schulte |
German surname based on a version of the German occupational surname Schulze. The name derived from a contracted form of the Middle High German office title schultheize who was a village headman or communal conciliator, a lower ranking judge or arbiter, and also in charge of collecting the levies, dues, debts, and taxes. The English surname Shultz is a relative. |
45,525 |
| 88 |
Hermann |
German surname based on the male German given name Hermann. It derived from the Germanic compound Heriman in which heri meant "army" and man stood for "man." The English name Herman is a relative. |
42,095 |
| 89 |
Khan |
Turkish surname derived from the Turkic-Tatar name Khan; the name's original Mongolian meaning is "king" or "ruler." |
42,667 |
| 90 |
Sauer |
German surname based on a moniker given to a sour or cantankerous person. The name derived from the Middle High German adjective sur which meant "sour," "grim," or "embittered" and the male suffix -er. |
42,902 |
| 91 |
Lutz |
German surname based on the diminutive Lutz of the male German given name Ludwig. It derived from the Germanic compound Chlodovech which represented hlud (famous) and wig (battle). The English names Lewis, Lou, Louie, and Louis are relatives. |
42,970 |
| 92 |
Horn |
German surname based on the German word Horn (horn). As an occupational surname, it may have been used to describe a person who manufactured small articles out of horn or to a hornblower or player of a musical instrument made out of horn. As a toponym, it could have referred to someone living near a horn-shaped stretch of land. |
43,306 |
| 93 |
Schröder |
German surname based on the occupational German surname Schröder used to describe a person cutting cloth, a tailor, or a drayman, a person who delivered beer and wine in barrels. The name derived from the Middle High German name schrotaere for a cutter of cloth, a tailor, or a barrel loader. |
46,231 |
| 94 |
Busch |
German surname based on a toponym for someone living near a wooded area or bushes. The name derived from the Middle High German word busch which meant "shrubbery" or "wood." The English surname Bush is an equivalent. |
45,794 |
| 95 |
Schafer |
German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname spelling variation based on the German occupational surname Schäfer describing a person tending to and guarding sheep, a shepherd. The name derived from the Middle High German word schaf meaning "sheep" and the male suffix -er. The English surname Shepherd is a relative. |
48,114 |
| 96 |
Ziegler |
German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname based on the German occupational name Ziegler for a person manufacturing bricks, a brickburner, a roof tiler, or bricklayer. The name derived from the Middle High German word ziegelaere, meaning "brickburner." |
47,811 |
| 97 |
Pfeiffer |
German surname based on the occupational surname Pfeifer for a pipe player, a piper, or waits. The name derived from the Middle High German word pfif (wind instrument) and the male suffix -er. The English surname Piper is its equivalent. |
41,961 |
| 98 |
Kraft |
German surname based on the male Old High German given name Kraft which meant "power," "impact," and "strength." The name most likely developed from a German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) moniker given to a strong or influential person. |
41,726 |
| 99 |
Pohl |
German surname based on a toponym. It could have referred to someone from Poland or from a place called Pohl or Pohla. The name could have also derived from the Middle High German word pfuol which means "swampland" or "muddy pool" in which case the name would mean "of the swampland." |
41,255 |
| 100 |
Wilhelm |
German surname based on the male German given name Wilhelm. It derived from the Germanic name Willahelm which combined the meanings of "desire" (wil) and "protection" or "helmet" (helm). The English name Williams is its equivalent. |
40,650 |
| 101 |
Beyer |
German surname based on a toponym for someone coming from Bavaria. The name derived from the German name for Bavaria, Bayern. |
40,616 |
Germany