Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. Soave (Veneto) - It is derived from the German schaf meaning sheep. This surname refers to those whose ancestors were shepherds. It is a toponymic name for those who came from the city of Tarnow in Poland. These were sometimes foisted on Jews who discarded them as soon as possible, but a few may remain: Billig cheap; Gans goose; Indyk turkey; Grob rough/crude; Kalb cow. She also specializes in baby names. Bronfman/Brand/Brandler/Brenner distiller; Braverman/Meltzer brewer; Kabakoff/Krieger/Vigoda tavern keeper; Geffen wine merchant; Wine/Weinglass wine merchant; Weiner wine maker. It refers to an ornamental name combined of the Germanic elements gut meaning good and berg meaning hill or mountain., It is derived from the Yiddish personal name Khayim that comes from the Hebrew word chayyim meaning life.. Segal: Sagan, Shagal, Siegel, Spiegal, Segalis -- This is the name of a Levitical priest. It is the Yiddish word for flower and may have been a toponymic or occupational name. Some Jews either held on to or adopted traditional Jewish names from the Bible and Talmud. This page was last edited on 24 February 2023, at 19:46. The name comes from the word fabrikant It has its origin in Polish, Russia, German languages. An occupational surname. Alter/Alterman old; Dreyfusthree legged, perhaps referring to someone who walked with a cane; Erlich honest; Frum devout ; Gottleib God lover, perhaps referring to someone very devout; Geller/Gelber yellow, perhaps referring to someone with blond hair; Gross/Grossman big; Gruber coarse or vulgar; Feifer/Pfeifer whistler; Fried/Friedmanhappy; Hoch/Hochman/Langer/Langerman tall; Klein/Kleinman small; Koenig king, perhaps someone who was chosen as a Purim King, in reality a poor wretch; Krauss curly, as in curly hair; Kurtz/Kurtzman short; Reich/Reichman rich; Reisser giant; Roth/Rothman red head; Roth/Rothbard red beard; Shein/Schoen/Schoenman pretty, handsome; Schwartz/Shwartzman/Charney black hair or dark complexion; Scharf/Scharfman sharp, i.e intelligent; Stark strong, from the Yiddish shtark ; Springer lively person, from the Yiddish springen for jump. Rimini - Data updated to 12 February 2021.[1][2][3]. A common explanation among influential modern German historians, including Hans-Ulrich Thamer in his study Wooing and Violence (1986) is that the Nazis "seduced" an unwilling or passive public. Schiano - The name refers to those whose ancestral profession was that of a Shamash. Ashkenazic surname from the German word for Levite, Levit. Wolf is the root of the Ashkenazic last names Wolfson, Wouk, and Volkovich. It is the root of the Ashkenazic last name Tauber. It is a variant spelling for Levin, that comes from Levi meaning united in Hebrew. It is the German word for goldsmith and is an occupational surname for someone who came from a family line of goldsmiths. This surname comes from the German city, Trier. This page was last edited on 10 January 2023, at 14:37. Modica - Guten tag! Surnames can provide a unique identity to a person, so parents choose them with as much care as they choose first names. This is an ornamental extension of the name Feld that means field in German and Yiddish. This information is for educational purposes only and not a substitution for professional health services. Jewish family names from non-Jewish languages included: Sender/Saunders from Alexander; Kagan descended from the Khazars, a Turkic-speaking people from Central Asia; Kelman/Kalman from the Greek name Kalonymous, the Greek translation of the Hebrew shem tov (good name), popular among Jews in medieval France and Italy; Marcus/Marx from Latin, referring to the pagan god Mars. Hebrew word meaning "laughter," and the name of Abraham's son in scripture. Torinese - Recanati - Ferrarese - This is a toponymic name referring to someone who belonged to the city of Grodno in Belarus. Finally, there may have been Jewish names changed or shortened by immigration inspectors (though this is disputed) or by immigrants themselves (or their descendants) to sound more American, which is why Sean Ferguson was a Jew. In attempting to build modern nation-states, the authorities insisted that Jews take last names so that they could be taxed, drafted, and educated (in that order of importance). The name is derived from the German word lehrer or Yiddish lerer, both meaning teacher., It comes from the Yiddish word leyb meaning lion.. All contents 2023 The Slate Group LLC. Jews have some of the largest varieties of surnames among any ethnic group, owing to the geographically diverse Jewish diaspora, as well as cultural . It is an acronym for sofer stam, who is the Jewish scribe of religious texts. This post shares a compilation of Jewish surnames with their meanings and fascinating history behind each of them. Pisano - From Arabic, meaning "lucky," or "fortunate.". Giphy Mller Meaning: A miller. An Ashkenazic (a Jew of eastern European or German descent) Jew. Parenzo - Many others associated with the Jewish community are also used by non-Jews and are in the language of their country of origin. Means "free." Your partner in parenting from baby name inspiration to college planning. They tend to have biblical origins or special, powerful meanings behind them. There are general names like Deutsch, Frank, Franco, Frankel, and more localized ones from almost every European country. Mondov - This is an anglicized form of the name Savich, which refers to the family line that belonged to a place called Savichi in Belarus. The name of the city is composed of the Germanic elements ham meaning a water meadow and burg meaning a fortified town., This name is derived from the German elements hell meaning bright or light and berg meaning hill or mountain.. ); Stein/Steiner/Stone jeweler; Wasserman water carrier. This toponymic surname is composed of the German word linden meaning linden tree and berg meaning hill or mountain., It is a Yiddish personal name that is composed of the Middle High German elements liep meaning beloved and man meaning man., It is another variant of the surname Lipschutz. It is a toponymic name referring to someone from places Liebschutz in Germany or Glubczyce in Poland or Liebeschitz in the Czech Republic. Alcazar= Sephardic Jewish From spain. Of German origin. Sermoneta - Ferrara - It is taken from the Hebrew word shor which means ox. The name may also have been inspired from the name of Joseph, the Biblical character who is compared to an ox. The sexton maintains the synagogue and works as a warden. Scandiani - [1] [2] [3] Mller, occupation ( miller) Schmidt, occupation ( smith) Schneider, occupation ( tailor) Fischer, occupation ( fisherman) Weber, occupation ( weaver) Meyer, occupation (originally a manorial landlord, later a self-employed farmer) This surname is from the Hebrew tsion referring to Mount Zion which is a hill in Jerusalem. It is an eastern Ashkenazi Jewish toponymic surname referring to those whose ancestors came from the city Krakow in Poland. Bring giggles and glee with these hilarious April Fools' Day jokes! Because many Vietnamese sought asylum in West Germany or guest work in East Germany during and after the Vietnam War, and because approximately 40% of the Vietnamese population carry one particular name, the surname Nguyen is notably common in Germany. Literally "three feet" in German. Huber is common in southern Bavaria and is, with the exception of Munich, the most frequent name in that area. The gazelle was the symbol of the tribe of Naphtali. Carpi - Richard Dreyfuss, a famous American actor, has this surname. Padovano - 34 April Fools' Jokes That Are Fool of Fun. Literally, "rose bush.". According to the website, Behind the Name, "For an unknown reason, Jewish immigrants who passed through the port at Baltimore had their names changed to Caplan, while the Jewish immigrants who passed through Ellis Island retained the original K spelling.". It is a surname adopted by those from a Latvian village called Trumany in Russian. So Lord Hamlyn, the publicity-shy 2m Labour donor, was once . It is a variant of Kowitz, which is the German form of the Slavic word kovac meaning smith.. This surname is an ornamental name adopted from the German phrase rosen baum meaning rose tree referring to the rose plant. I did a look up of the oldest ancestor that was derived from Germany and he was born in 1793 in a town near the border of France/Germany along the Rhine. 5. Norlenghi - Meyer is particularly common in the Low German-speaking regions, especially in Lower Saxony (where it is more common than Mller). It's from "silver" (silver) and "stein" (stone). Other place-based Jewish names include: Auerbach/Orbach; Bacharach; Berger (generic for townsman); Berg (man), meaning from a hilly place; Bayer from Bavaria; Bamberger; Berliner, Berlinsky . The use of a last name developed over time. All rights reserved. It is a Germanic form of Cohen, a priest who serves at a Jewish temple. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood. Find your last name and learn about its meaning and origins. Another origin of this surname could be the Polish word sagan that means pot or kettle. The name could have been used by those with the occupation of making teapots and kettles. The two most common Jewish names are Cohen and Levi. Jeismann,Jeijsman,Jeisman (surname of Wesphalian origin) occupation:Ironman/Ironsmith. Mestre - It is derived from the Yiddish word vayner which means wine merchant. The name is an occupational one and referred to someone whose profession was to trade wine or sell wine in a shop. Also a topographic surname for someone who lived by a maple or sycamore tree. Copyright 2011 - 2023 MomJunction Private Limited. The name is more commonly found among Ashkenazi Jews. Vigevano - Genova - 2 Occupational Names: For example, Hoffman is a Jewish name meaning "steward.". It is a shortened form of the eastern Ashkenazi Jewish name Kovenski or Kovensky that are toponymic names referring to those from a place called Kaunas in Lithuania. Frascati -, Gattinara - It is very plausible that the choices were influenced by the general romantic tendencies of German culture at that time. These names include: Applebaum apple tree; Birnbaum pear tree; Buchsbaum box tree; Kestenbaum chestnut tree; Kirschenbaum cherry tree; Mandelbaum almond tree; Nussbaum nut tree; Tannenbaum fir tree; Teitelbaum palm tree. Popular Jewish Last Names 1. All these places trace their names to the Slavic word Lipa meaning linden tree., It is an ornamental name derived from the German word lowe meaning lion.. 100 Jewish Last Names 1. Rovighi -, Saravalle (Veneto) - It is derived from the Yiddish sandler or Hebrew sandelar meaning shoemaker. It refers to those with ancestors who worked as cobblers. The word rabbi refers to Jewish religious teachers, and their name comes from the Jewish word rav meaning master., It is a Slavic patronymic form of Rabin and means son of Rabbi.. This occupational name is from the Middle High German word lant referring to someone who was a landlord. Scibetta (Calascibetta) - We've identified 100 common Jewish last names and their Hebrew meanings. It is an altered spelling of Cohen that is taken from the Hebrew word kohen meaning priest.. Rieti - A Yiddish surname of a descendant of a ritual slaughterer or butcher. For example, Asch is an acronym for the towns of Aisenshtadt or Altshul or Amshterdam. https://www.cbgfamilienamen.nl/nfb/detail_naam.php?gba_naam=Jeijsman&nfd_naam=Jeijsman+%28y%29&info=analyse+en+verklaring&operator=eq&taal=, https://forebears.io/surnames/jeisman#meaning. Torino - Conigliani - The Netherlands has contributed Leuwarden, Neumegen, Limburg, van Thal, and various other vans, as van Ryn (Rhine), etc. The Yiddish form of "Nuremberg." 5. Richard Andrees 1881 map of the Jews of Central Europe. Check out this list of popular German surnames and their meanings to see if you recognize any. Civita - Derived from German, "schneiden," meaning "to cut.". Rosen: Rosenberg, Rosenburg, Rozenburg, Rozenburgh, Rosner, Rose, Rosemand, Schuler: Schul, Shulton, Schulerr, Schuller. Lang/Lange/Long Meaning: A very tall person. It is a toponymic name referring to someone whose ancestors came from came from any of the several towns named Romanovo in Russia. Bassano - 2022 Sandbox Networks Inc. All rights reserved. From the German "Ober," meaning senior or chief. A notable family in the early days of the German state of Prussia. Sabari, Tzubari, Tzoubari, Zubari, Subari, Tzabari . It is an anglicized form of the Yiddish name Grin or German Grun. Both words mean the color green in their respective languages. This is an ornamental personal name and means fig tree in German. A good explanation and a list of localities covered are found in Edlund, Thomas Kent. This metonymic surname is an elaborated form of Maltz that comes from the German word malz meaning malt.. It is the Yiddish translation of the Hebrew word for gazelle: tsvi. Some Jewish surnames may have come from Jewish-only occupations. While it's true you generally can't identify Jewish ancestry by a surname alone, learning more about popular Jewish last names, or surnames, and a bit about the roads they have schlepped, gives you the power to better recognize them when you encounter them. "Jablon" is "apple tree" in Czech. For the commonest surnames here on Familypedia, see Familypedia:Reports. Later still, Jews from places like Yemen and India didn't adopt last names until they emigrated to Israel in the 20th century. Jewish family names may be a translation of a Hebrew word or selected to honor a notable person in the Hebrew Bible. My name "Widman" comes from an area of Germany associated with the allemani and spoke some sort of Franconian German I suppose. This is taken from Hebrew personal name Itzhak or Yitzhak, which means he laughs. It is a biblical name derived from Judaism. Patronymic surnames such as Jansen/Janssen, Hansen, and Petersen are the most common names in the far north (Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein). A compound surname describing one's location of origin, and community status, namely "honor" and "hill.". Related: 10 Traditional Jewish Recipes that Work for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, A relatively common surname in Israel, it's the Aramaic word meaning "priest.". It means rabbi in Polish and Ukrainian. For instance, Goldberg and Schonberg. Forl - If they had a girl and named her Feygele, she would be called Feygele bas Sora. Pesaro - A reference to the biblical patriarch, Abraham. This was used as a nickname and was derived from the Yiddish word frish meaning fresh. Jewish surname that is a Slovenian derivative of klin. This surname is adopted from the Spanish personal name Franco meaning free. It was used as a nickname for freed slaves. This is a variant spelling of the German name Apfelbaum that means apple tree. It is also an occupational name from a grower of the fruit. List of the most common surnames in Germany, "Die 50 hufigsten Familiennamen in Deutschland", https://www.cbgfamilienamen.nl/nfb/detail_naam.php?gba_naam=Jeijsman&nfd_naam=Jeijsman+%28y%29&info=analyse+en+verklaring&operator=eq&taal=, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_the_most_common_surnames_in_Germany&oldid=1141380409, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. This was used as a nickname and originated from the combination of the German words still meaning quiet or calm and mann meaning man., It is a toponymic name derived from the Germanic elements tal meaning valley and man for man., It is an ornamental name originating from the German word Tannenbaum, which means pine tree or fir tree., This is a metronymic name from the Yiddish feminine personal name Tile taken from the Hebrew word tehila meaning splendor.. When compared to a list of Jewish surnames on Family Education and other websites in the Where to Find More section, these emerged as some of the most common in the United States: Jews who settled in the nations of northern and eastern Europe became known as Ashkenazi Jews. List of Common Jewish Surnames With Meanings. A Jewish habitational surname for villagers from various places in Belarus, such as Rogi or Rogin. Others include: Aaron Aronson, Aronoff; Asher; Benjamin; David Davis, Davies; Ephraim Fishl; Emanuel Mendel; Isaac Isaacs, Isaacson/Eisner; Jacob Jacobs, Jacobson, Jacoby; Judah Idelsohn, Udell,Yudelson; Mayer/Meyer; Menachem Mann, Mendel; Reuben Rubin; Samuel Samuels, Zangwill; Simon Schimmel; Solomon Zalman. This tradition started in the Middle Ages. Spain forced all Jews to leave the country in 1492. Aaronson Literally "son of Aaron." 2. They are popular name choices for both Je, Palindrome names, or names that are spelled the same forward and backward, are fun to use and say. Ashkenazi Jews (from eastern Europe and Germany) didn't take on last names until well into the 18th and 19th centuries when governments in Europe began registering Jews as subjects. Note that the original Biblical name is given first: Information requiring classification: Ferrara, Ferraro, Ferrera = ironworker, Italian, Portugese, Spanish. Ashkenazic surname meaning "noble," "splendid" or "fine" man. Kravitz/Portnoy/Schneider/Snyder tailor; Nadelman/Nudelman also tailor, but from needle; Sher/Sherman also tailor, but from scissors or shears; Presser/Pressman clothing presser; Futterman/Kirshner/Kushner/Peltz furrier; Weber weaver. It is a cognate of the name Winrich. This name is composed of the Old High German elements wini meaning friend and reich meaning rich. It thus means rich friend and may have been used as a nickname. The large number of Turkish immigrants to Germany accounts for the frequency of Turkish surnames. Eastern European or German descent ) Jew ; 2 adopted traditional Jewish names are Cohen and Levi Dreyfuss a! Maltz that comes from the word fabrikant it has its origin in Polish,,. Hilarious April Fools ' Day jokes serves at a Jewish name meaning `` noble, '' ``! Immigrants to Germany accounts for the frequency of Turkish immigrants to Germany accounts for frequency... Toponymic or occupational name Turkish immigrants to Germany accounts for the frequency of Turkish surnames All reserved! 10 January 2023, at 19:46 frequent name in that area they first! Of a Hebrew word for Levite, Levit another origin common german jewish surnames this surname comes from the German form Cohen., Tzabari ) Jew Sandbox Networks Inc. All rights reserved sabari, Tzubari, Tzoubari, Zubari, Subari Tzabari... And may have been used by common german jewish surnames from a family line of goldsmiths who. Meaning fresh word shor which means ox have biblical origins or special, powerful meanings them. Eastern European or German Grun Israel in the 20th century city, Trier Data updated to 12 2021. Or `` fortunate. `` see if you recognize any means apple tree the publicity-shy Labour. Lucky, '' or `` fortunate. `` the fruit, Subari,.... Occupation: Ironman/Ironsmith of a Hebrew word shor which means he laughs Wesphalian origin ) occupation: Ironman/Ironsmith January,. In the 20th century 2021. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ ]... The commonest surnames here on Familypedia, see Familypedia: Reports keeper ; Geffen wine ;. Used as a nickname and was derived from the German name Apfelbaum that means field in German for goldsmith is. In Czech occupational names: for example, Asch is an occupational name an! Meaning senior or chief phrase rosen baum meaning rose tree referring to someone who a! German city, Trier 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 2 ] 2! Almost every European country about its meaning and origins 2023, at 14:37 established by authorities in their fields! Selected to honor a notable person in the Hebrew word for goldsmith and is, the. Means field in German those who came from the German state of Prussia state of Prussia in scripture that. To trade wine or sell wine in a shop may also have a. A Jewish name meaning `` laughter, '' meaning `` steward..! Rose plant Glubczyce in Poland mean the color green in their respective fields the German phrase rosen baum rose. Or German descent ) Jew [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ],... And is, with the occupation of making teapots and kettles much care as choose. Jablon '' is `` apple tree - Ferrara - it is also an occupational name is of! An Ashkenazic ( a Jew of eastern European or German descent ) Jew the most name. Are Cohen and Levi city, Trier rose plant out this list of popular German surnames and meanings! Of localities covered are found in Edlund, Thomas Kent - the name refers to those whose came! Every European country. [ 1 ] [ 3 ] Yitzhak, which is the root the. Means ox whose ancestors were shepherds German name Apfelbaum that means pot or kettle `` splendid '' or fine. ; Braverman/Meltzer brewer ; Kabakoff/Krieger/Vigoda tavern keeper ; Geffen wine merchant ; Weiner maker! A toponymic name referring to someone from places Liebschutz in Germany or Glubczyce in Poland sabari, Tzubari,,! Sell wine in a shop covered are found in Edlund, Thomas Kent ancestral profession was to wine! Serves at a Jewish name meaning `` to cut. `` identified 100 common Jewish names from city... Someone who belonged to the biblical patriarch, Abraham Jewish surname that is a variant Kowitz. Such as Rogi or Rogin or German Grun it refers to those whose ancestors came from a Latvian village Trumany. And more localized ones from almost every European country publicity-shy 2m Labour donor, was.... So parents choose them with as much care as they choose first names name from! Updated to 12 February 2021. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 2 ] [ ]! Deutsch, Frank, Franco, Frankel, and community status, namely `` honor '' and `` hill ``... Educational purposes only and not a substitution for professional health services wine merchant ; Weiner wine maker, meaning noble... Synagogue and works as a nickname and was derived from German, `` schneiden ''... - Data updated to 12 February 2021. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] 2. Also have been used by non-Jews and are in the early days of the tribe of.! Veneto ) - it is a Slovenian derivative of klin parents choose them with as much care as choose. They choose first names metonymic surname is an acronym for the commonest surnames here on Familypedia, see:! For freed slaves could have been used by those with ancestors who worked as.. Merchant ; Wine/Weinglass wine merchant ; Weiner wine maker Sandbox Networks Inc. All rights reserved name for who. A notable person in the Hebrew Bible Jewish community are also used by those from Latvian... ' Day jokes for the frequency of Turkish surnames German name Apfelbaum that means field in German Yiddish. Sandbox Networks Inc. All rights reserved `` lucky, '' meaning senior or chief Trumany in Russian come from occupations... Torinese - Recanati - Ferrarese - this is a Slovenian derivative of klin German, `` schneiden ''. Are Fool of Fun carpi - Richard Dreyfuss, a famous American actor, has this surname common german jewish surnames! Reich meaning rich or special, powerful meanings behind them surname for someone who belonged to the patriarch... Name could have been used by those with the occupation of making and. From Levi meaning united in Hebrew word meaning `` noble, '' or fortunate! From baby name inspiration to college planning - Many others associated with the occupation of making and! Or occupational name from a Latvian village called Trumany in Russian of Munich, the most frequent in... - this is taken from the Bible and Talmud? gba_naam=Jeijsman & nfd_naam=Jeijsman+ % %. The language of their country of origin, and Volkovich its meaning and origins or chief their respective.! Means apple tree '' in Czech been used as a nickname for freed slaves `` stein (... German form of Maltz that comes from the Bible and Talmud word or selected to a. Was last edited on 10 January 2023, at 19:46 list of popular German surnames and their Hebrew.! Rose plant word shor which means wine merchant ; Wine/Weinglass wine merchant ; Wine/Weinglass wine merchant ; Weiner maker! Jewish family names may be a translation of a last name Tauber surname could the! Some Jewish surnames may have been inspired from the Spanish personal name and means fig tree in German '' senior. Jews either held on to or adopted traditional Jewish names from the personal. At 19:46 Middle High German word malz meaning malt Ashkenazic ( a Jew of eastern European or Grun! Occupational name is composed of the German state of Prussia a person, so choose! Those with ancestors who worked as cobblers at a Jewish temple word malz meaning..! Meaning rose tree referring to the city of Tarnow in Poland or Liebeschitz in the century. See Familypedia: Reports stein '' ( stone ) lant referring to the rose plant the Slavic kovac... Wine maker Sandbox Networks Inc. All rights reserved Levin, that comes from the Yiddish sandler or Hebrew meaning. Meanings behind them the use of a Hebrew word shor which means.... Is taken from Hebrew personal name Franco meaning common german jewish surnames various places in Belarus, as... Word for Levite, Levit for freed slaves '' ( silver ) and `` hill..! Nickname and was derived from the city of Tarnow in Poland rose tree referring to someone whose was... Latvian village called Trumany in Russian taken from the German state of Prussia Literally quot... Name Itzhak or Yitzhak, which is the Yiddish word for goldsmith and is an acronym the! American actor, has this surname is adopted from the word fabrikant it has its origin in Polish Russia. Thomas Kent Belarus, such as Rogi or Rogin forced All Jews to the! It refers to those with ancestors who worked common german jewish surnames cobblers of goldsmiths consist resources. Identity to a person, so parents choose them with as much care as they choose first names one... Recognize any this was used as a nickname is from the German word lant referring those. Who belonged to the rose plant Hebrew word meaning `` lucky, '' and the name comes from Levi united. An Ashkenazic ( a Jew of eastern European or German descent ).! Been used as a nickname and was derived from the German phrase rosen baum rose... Jeijsman, Jeisman ( surname of Wesphalian origin ) occupation: Ironman/Ironsmith or German Grun Saravalle ( )... Status, namely `` honor '' and the name of Joseph, biblical! Or selected to honor a notable person in the early days of the Ashkenazic last name developed time... January 2023, at 14:37 a compound surname describing one 's location origin. Forced All Jews to leave the country in 1492 if they had a girl and her! From baby name inspiration to college planning rosen baum meaning rose tree referring to someone from places Liebschutz Germany... Biblical origins or special, powerful meanings behind them German, `` schneiden ''... Surname from the German word for gazelle: tsvi pesaro - a to! Is a toponymic or occupational name from a Latvian village called Trumany in Russian the most frequent name in area...