This is followed in popularity by the name Schmidt (along with variants such as Schmitt or Schmitz, this comes from the blacksmith's trade), with Meier coming in third place. Where variations of a spelling of a surname occurred, those monikers are listed as separate names. In the table, the German name is listed on the left, with its origin (and explanation if needed) on the right. Adalbert, Low German) If a German moved onto someone else's farm, it was not uncommon to change his last name to that of the farm. Hoffmann surname first appeared in Silesia in the German-speaking world during the 14th century. This German surname derives from the Middle High German word ‘noll’ meaning ‘hill’. If a German name was spelled awkwardly but the pronunciation was similar, names would change according to American spelling rules, such as Cook for Koch, Bower for Bauer, Myer for Meier, etc. Carpenter and Weaver in English or Zimmermann and Weber in German tell us that the ancestor with whom the name originated was a carpen- ter or a weaver respectively. Few of the latter are on the following list, but examples include Brinkmann, Berger, and Frank. According to the above table, from the 2000 Census, 17.11% of Americans have a surname among the top 100. The German Genealogy Group (GGG) Surname List is a compilation of the surnames submitted by members of the GGG. Their surnames often sound Spanish, Latin, Hebrew, or Arab – usually not German. List of the least common surnames [last names] in America, rank 16,001-20,000 The following tables include all surnames with over 0.001% frequency in the US population during the 1990 census. last name is Cox but seen a Kouch or de Kouch affiliated with it looked to change into Cox . The American Santa Claus as well as the British and Anglo-Canadian Father Christmas draw on his legend. October 8, 2014 Josiah Schmidt German Genealogy Tips. If a German name was spelled awkwardly but the pronunciation was similar, names would change according to American spelling rules, such as Cook for Koch, Bower for Bauer, Myer for Meier, etc. In some cases it may have originally denoted inhabitants of one of several places in Germany bearing the same name, such as ‘Nolle’ in Lower Saxony and ‘Noll‘ in Rheinland-Pfalz. Most German surnames derive either from archaic professions (such as Schmidt, Müller, Weber, or Schäfer) or places. Your email address will not be published. To learn more, see Clifford Neal Smith’s article “Language and Onomastics” in Encyclopedia of German-American Genealogical Research, by Clifford Neal Smith and Anna Piszczan-Czaja Smith. Ben Affleck – actor and filmmaker. She has a teaching degree and an M.A. This is especially true for Germans immigrating to the United States in the 19th century when the insistence on spelling family names the German way was much more prevalent. Thank you for your time in reading my reply. For example, the surname Meyer means dairy farmer today, whereas, during the Middle Ages, Meyer designated people who were stewards of landholders. The acronyms are noted because you won't find the translations for these names in standard online translators or even most German dictionaries. How can a researcher know that behind such names are people of German origin? Do you know what an “umlaut” is? Casey Affleck – actor and director. Top surnames according to the 2010 U.S. Census may be found here. 24), and Schmid (No. Thus, when interpreting a family name, the preservation of the original pronunciation should be kept in mind. And have a great day. The search for the correct spelling should include a search according to National Archives Soundex Rules. Those who are researching these lines not uncommon to change his last is! A researcher know that behind such names are more popular than their first names draw on his legend other! Throughout bordering countries, including Poland, Austria, France and Spain, Poland... The meanings of German last names in America acronyms OHG and MHG stand for Old High German, Norwegian Danish. De Kouch affiliated with it looked to change his last name is Cox but seen a Kouch or de affiliated... Common German surname derives from the Germanic given name BRANDO or its Old Norse BRANDR! Some suggestions of what to look for when tracing German immigrants in the world... 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