German Surnames: Meaning, Origin & Coat of Arms (page 1 of 2)

Eagle

Noble and bright

From Arnold ("eagle power")

Eagle power

Bavarian

Bearded, or from Bartholomäus

Farmer

Farmer, cultivator

Baker; brook

Baker

Dweller by a brook

Son of Bernd (Bernhard)

Axe (axe-maker or user)

Cooper, barrel maker

Dweller on a hill

Hill dweller

Mountain dweller; miner

Bavarian

Billy goat (nickname)

Bohemian

Cooper, barrel maker

Sword; land cleared by fire

Brown (hair or complexion)

Dweller on the field edge

Dweller by a spring

Son of Brun

Bush, thicket

From Burkhard, or a nickname

Roofer, thatcher

Ruler of the people

Dweller by a thorn hedge

Son of Eberhard ("brave as a boar")

From Eckhart ("hard edge")

Short form of Engelbert; angel

Earnest, resolute

Fiddle player

Finch (cheerful person)

Fisherman

Butcher

Forester

Franconian; free man

Franconian; free man

From Franziskus (Francis)

Free man

Man of peace

Peaceful ruler

From Friedrich

Cheerful

Fox

Fiddle player

Gold mountain

Gold stone

From Götz, a pet form of Gottfried

Count; reeve

Grim, fierce

Big, tall

Dweller in a hollow

Battle army

Hare

Rooster

Strong, brave man

Brave in battle

From Hein, a short form of Heinrich

Home ruler

From Heinz, a pet form of Heinrich

Army man, warrior

Duke

From Hesse

Manor farmer or court steward

Manor farmer; courtier

Hop grower, or a nickname

Horn-shaped land; horn blower

Farm holder

Holder of a Hube (farm holding)

Hunter

From Johann (John)

From Jakob (Jacob)

Son of Jan (John)

Young

Emperor

Priest of righteousness

Merchant, trader

Cellarer, steward of stores

Core, kernel; a nickname

Coppersmith, kettle maker

Small or young

Cook

Charcoal burner

Club, a nickname

King

Strength, a nickname for a strong man

Shopkeeper, trader

Curly-haired

Curly-haired

Innkeeper (Low German)

Dweller by a hollow or pit

Short form of Konrad ("bold counsel")

Son of Kunz (Konrad, "bold counsel")

Short

The tall one