Herzog Surname Meaning & Origin
What the Herzog last name means, where the surname began and where it was first recorded.
Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Herzog coat of arms for you.
Meaning and origin of the Herzog last name
Meaning of the Herzog last name: duke. Herzog means "duke", from Middle High German herzoge, literally "army leader". As a surname it rarely means descent from a duke. Usually it was a nickname for someone who behaved with ducal airs, a title given to a man who played the duke in a festival or pageant, or a name for a servant of a ducal household. The name is common across southern Germany and Austria, and is also a Jewish name. The title of duke was held by the rulers of the great stem duchies of medieval Germany, such as Bavaria, Saxony and Swabia. Herzog as a surname is found from the 14th century in southern German towns. Variants include Herzig and Hertzog, the latter common in Alsace and among Pennsylvania settlers. Many Herzog families emigrated to the United States in the 19th century, settling especially in the Midwest. The name is also found in Switzerland.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Herzog name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Herzog name in Germany. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Austria and Switzerland; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full Herzog family history
Your full Herzog pack adds the researched history, early records and migration. Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Herzog coat of arms for you.
Herzog name FAQ
What does the Herzog name mean?
Duke. Common variants include Hertzog, Herzig, Hertzig.
Where does the Herzog surname come from?
It originates in Germany, and is also found in the United States, Austria and Switzerland.
Is there a Herzog coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Herzog crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Herzog coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Duden Familiennamen; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).