618+ German Surnames: Meanings and Origins (Generator)

German surnames reveal a lot about the country’s history and culture. They often come from jobs, places, or physical traits.

Names like “Schmidt” (smith) and “Müller” (miller) show what jobs people had, while “Berg” (mountain) and “See” (lake) tell us where they might have come from. Some names, like “von” or “zu,” indicate noble backgrounds.

Over time, these names changed due to how they sounded or shifts in society. So, each German surname is like a small story, connecting people today to their past and showing the interesting mix of language, heritage, and history in Germany.

Top German Surnames

Top German surnames often reflect the country’s rich history. Common ones include Müller (miller), Schmidt (smith), and Schneider (tailor). Family names like Wagner (wagoner) and Fischer (fisher) hint at ancestral professions, while Müller remains the most prevalent, highlighting the significance of traditional occupations in German heritage.

  • Müller
  • Schmidt
  • Schneider
  • Fischer
  • Weber
  • Meyer
  • Wagner
  • Becker
  • Schulz
  • Hoffmann
  • Schäfer
  • Koch
  • Bauer
  • Richter
  • Klein
  • Schröder
  • Neumann
  • Schwarz
  • Zimmermann
  • Braun
  • Krüger
  • Hofmann
  • Hartmann
  • Lange
  • Schmid
  • Keller
  • Lehmann
  • Günther
  • Vogel
  • Schuster
  • König
  • Berger
  • Roth
  • Huber
  • Kaiser
  • Fuchs
  • Peters
  • Lang
  • Beck
  • Herrmann
  • Frank
  • Winkler
  • Roth
  • Wolf

German Surnames and Meanings

Last NameMeaning
MüllerMiller
SchmidtSmith
SchneiderTailor
FischerFisher
WeberWeaver
WagnerWagoner or Wagon Maker
BeckerBaker
HoffmannSteward or Manager
SchäferShepherd
KochCook
BauerFarmer
RichterJudge
LehmannLandowner
KleinSmall or Little
SchröderTailor
SchwarzBlack
HartmannStrong Man
ZimmermannCarpenter
HaasHare or Rabbit
KrauseCurly

Rare German Surnames

  • 1 Ziegler
  • 2 Morgenstern
  • 3 Krause
  • 4 Thiel
  • 5 Hübner
  • 6 Röder
  • 7 Vogelsang
  • 8 Fichtner
  • 9 Kirschbaum
  • 10 Nürnberger
  • 11 Reichenbach
  • 12 Göring
  • 13 Wendt
  • 14 Hohenberg
  • 15 Strohmeier
  • 1 Winkelmann
  • 2 Ebersbach
  • 3 Kellermann
  • 4 Zinser
  • 5 Schellinger
  • 6 Eichenwald
  • 7 Tannenbaum
  • 8 Treiber
  • 9 Schweitzer
  • 10 Dornbusch
  • 11 Hirschfeld
  • 12 Schönfeld
  • 13 Kranz
  • 14 Woltersdorf
  • 15 Schürmann
  • 1 Lichtenstein
  • 2 Rothenburg
  • 3 Zwinger
  • 4 Auerbach
  • 5 Böhler
  • 6 Drechsler
  • 7 Ostermann
  • 8 Friedmann
  • 9 Vollmer
  • 10 Vossen
  • 11 Fromm
  • 12 Morgenroth
  • 13 Klausmann
  • 14 Falkenhausen
  • 15 Stolzenberg

Famous German Surnames

Germany boasts numerous iconic surnames, reflecting its rich history. The Müller surname, derived from the occupation of a miller, is widespread. Schmidt, meaning blacksmith, is also prevalent. Other notable names include Schröder, Becker, and Wagner, each carrying unique historical and occupational significance.

  • Fuchs
  • Herrmann
  • Walter
  • Becker
  • Kühn
  • Friedrich
  • Frank
  • König
  • Schreiber
  • Seidel
  • Baumann
  • Albrecht
  • Geller
  • Arnold
  • Richter
  • Schuster
  • Marx
  • Stein
  • Groß
  • Lange
  • Kraus
  • Ritter
  • Böhm
  • Brandt
  • Vogel
  • Beyer
  • Braun
  • Hahn
  • Heinrich
  • Vogt
  • Müller
  • Schmidt
  • Schröder
  • Becker
  • Wagner
  • Koch
  • Braun
  • Hoffmann
  • Schmitz
  • Weber
  • Meyer
  • Schneider
  • Fischer
  • Schulz
  • Richter
  • Lehmann
  • Huber
  • Berger
  • Keller
  • Klein
  • Wolf
  • Wagner
  • Neumann
  • Schwarz
  • Zimmermann
  • Hartmann
  • Günther
  • Krause
  • Schumacher
  • Haas

Popular German Last Names

  • 1 Günther
  • 2 Zimmer
  • 3 Geiger
  • 4 Becker
  • 5 Walter
  • 6 Berger
  • 7 Schröder
  • 8 Mayer
  • 9 Ritter
  • 10 Seidel
  • 11 Hahn
  • 12 Stahl
  • 13 Vogt
  • 14 Hübner
  • 15 Albrecht
  • 16 Jung
  • 17 Kühn
  • 18 Schultz
  • 19 Pfeiffer
  • 20 Arnold
  • 21 Riedel
  • 22 Grote
  • 23 Jansen
  • 24 Wimmer
  • 25 Mohr
  • 26 Sturm
  • 27 Mayr
  • 28 Kirsch
  • 29 Urban
  • 30 Zimmerer
  • 31 Hesse
  • 32 Gaiser
  • 33 Esser
  • 34 Lutz
  • 35 Thieme
  • 36 Wendt
  • 37 Gärtner
  • 38 Schwarz
  • 39 Voigt
  • 40 Wendel
  • 41 Beyer
  • 42 Mertz
  • 43 Döring
  • 44 Link
  • 45 Holz
  • 46 Klemm
  • 47 Blum
  • 48 Rasch
  • 49 Engel
  • 50 Knoll
  • 51 Kühne
  • 52 Glaser
  • 53 Thiele
  • 54 Seifert
  • 55 Abel
  • 56 Stoll
  • 57 Korn
  • 58 Rösler
  • 59 Rupp
  • 60 Dreher
  • 61 Heyer
  • 62 Paul
  • 63 Hagen
  • 64 Morgenstern
  • 65 Götz
  • 66 Münch
  • 67 Heinz
  • 68 Röder
  • 69 Erler
  • 70 Krebs

Most Common German Surnames With Meanings

If you’re looking to buy a house in Germany, one of the first things you’ll need is a mortgage. Dentists, accountants, and the written records of the name.

So, let’s get the perfect German surname. Here’s the list of the perfect German surnames: 

SurnamesMeanings
MüllerMiller, referring to a person who operated a mill
SchmidtSmith, indicating a blacksmith or metalworker
SchneiderTailor, representing a person who sewed clothes
FischerFisher, denoting a person involved in fishing
WeberWeaver, signifying someone who wove fabric
BeckerBaker, indicating a person who baked bread
HoffmannSteward, representing a manager or overseer
RichterJudge, denoting a person involved in legal matters
KochCook, referring to a person who cooked food
BauerFarmer, indicating someone engaged in agriculture

Ritter

Dietrich

Koenig

Handschuh

Wierwille

Wesse

Poppylicious

Hilimi

Sefute

Chegkog

Gladis

Snotli

Snoopy

Qekyuq

Chilly

Blogenmu

Tammy

Jellyboo

Anton

Ovani

Tewou

Titanica

Theodore

Daphne

Bewboo

Alice

Gegs

Thunder

Cornell

Furgatal

Loyal guy

Szas

Conner Kent

Khavila

Ronei

Clementine

Qikre

Redman

Myna

Cuckoo

Clara

Conny

Doofy

Dally

Zukzl

Horus

Alborz

Theodore

Sage

Augustine

Conzy

Absinthe

Vadru

Connar

Veesz

Qufvilu

Josie

Ringo

Oscar

Squints

Ahlgrim

Xicolo

Furontorainā

Noir

Leduo

Lambchop

Fomlzo

Esicqle

Padzo

Dania

Uzoqsonu

Grountiyala

Fritz

Robert

Snoko

Rocketeers

Bhreeng

Roych

Leven 

Amazing German Surnames For Girls

Surnames are an essential part of our lives. They help us understand a person’s history and, in turn, help us to judge who they are. So, always go for an amazing one. List of amazing German Surnames:

  • Hartwig
  • Buchholz
  • Billger
  • Greber
  • Watkins
  • Nachtnebel
  • Roettger
  • Reynolds
  • Ilkefa
  • Sebastian
  • Knorr
  • Karin
  • Concave
  • Damek
  • Nasvoa
  • Ichuzc
  • Airwhitop
  • Karen
  • Kinky
  • Daniel
  • Johanna
  • Chandelier
  • Igen
  • Ichuzc
  • Dellyoi
  • Brickfeet
  • Luca
  • Rugs
  • Henri
  • Noah

Achen

Saeclus

Fynn

Fawn

Jegg

Chipmunk

Romeo

Fotzu

Noks

Nadine

Hempstead

Gaggujkala

Danka

Teyni

Aber

Yutrolo

Tukla

Qayw

Pozhu

Oshimur

Wakmon

Chovgae

Parley

Breed

Ricky

Qesvuo

Tetle

Pivazu

Cliffchaser

Ajevko

Sophie

Whopper

Corny

Asherah

Marie

Altmann

Louisa

Dazzle

Felix

Tafpu

Marilla

Shiwgi

Peaches

Babette

Flegfz

Gott

Bozlei 

Wagner 

German Surnames For Boys With Meanings

However, surnames are often overlooked as an important part of our identity and that’s why they have lost their importance in our society.

But, getting a unique surname is a good move. Here’s the list of unique German surnames:

SurnamesMeanings
HartmanDerived from the German words “hart” (hard) and “mann” (man), meaning “hardy man” or “strong man”.
AmslerDerived from the given name “Amal,” meaning “work” or “industrious”.
HenningDerived from the given name “Henn,” a short form of “Heinrich,” meaning “ruler of the home”.
ReiterDerived from the German word “reiten,” meaning “to ride,” suggesting a person associated with horse riding or cavalry.
SiferdDerived from the given name “Sigfrid,” composed of the elements “sieg” (victory) and “frid” (peace), meaning “victorious peace”.
LampertDerived from the given name “Lambert,” meaning “bright land” or “famous land”.
DusterPossibly derived from the German word “duster,” meaning “duster” or “feather duster”.
BertkeDerived from the given name “Berthold,” composed of the elements “beraht” (bright) and “wald” (rule), meaning “bright ruler”.
HellswarthDerived from the German words “hell” (bright) and “swarz” (black), possibly suggesting contrasting characteristics or colors.
AfflerbachDerived from the German words “ahle” (awl) and “bach” (stream), indicating a person associated with a stream or creek known for its clay or loam soil.

Bhresz

Fluffy

Caspian

Stella

Cahmere

Neroni

Qevg

Mowbu

Ackert

Grymre

Eleanor

Faldali

Buyaa

Zeus

Connorrhea

Velbo

Fasg

Aller

Qaho

Hags

Danone

Qogkia

Pepper

Conroy

Emily

Centurion

Neck Breakers

Pozhu

Snid

Danyel

Geo

Uchutzug

Tango

Jebrin

Pongo

Anemis

Loyzz

Franklin

Powtuh

Dudley

Condo

Zephyrine

Gisela

Maximilian

Alexander

Holde

Anemone

Snickers

Huntress

Marshall

Louisa

Jinz

Ikkem

Hedwig

Paul

Chegkog

Brenna

Gek

Devil

Sheba

Pablo

Mubu

Yushufa

Egru

Nopzne

Barak

Snotli

Eira

Pinkle

Rugs 

Unique German Surnames

To make them more important, you can surely get cool and amazing German surnames that you can use.

However, if you want to get the best surname, this would be a big task. Yet, we can help you. Here’s the list of the best German surnames:

  • Heinfeld
  • Fuchs
  • Casebolt
  • Thieman
  • Erhardt
  • Wehrman
  • Egbert
  • Böhm
  • Rage
  • Ridge
  • Phillip
  • Lincoln
  • Lola
  • Bhrezdaim
  • Dionysus
  • Daintiel
  • Leon
  • Kurki
  • Burnie
  • Frank
  • Humiliation
  • Relda
  • Morton
  • Ekke
  • Varn
  • Kobra
  • Nosvou
  • Sabine
  • Melbo
  • Zak

Iwivi

Htrillions

Gadfusha

Uqipfno

Henry

Barebone

Rage

Flid

Denali

Joboro

Manfred

Hannah

Vurki

Asezsahi

Jrazzertala

Quvzo

Mentra

Emma

Fang

Hetl

Togle

Adelberg

Callie

Babykins

Otto

Qepzia

Helia

Orion

Lilly

Benton

Aqiqa

Sasi

Orpa

Ancestialian

George

MrExtinct

Wammothad

Conrad

Catchy German Surnames 

It is way too apparent that we all know the importance of surnames. German grew up as one of the most used languages and as a reason, people are looking for German surnames.

How about getting a catchy one? Here’s a list of catchy German surnames:

SurnamesMeanings
WarnerOccupational surname for a warden or protector.
KleinGerman word for “small” or “little”.
GreiweVariant of the German name “Graf,” meaning “count”.
BusseOccupational surname for a cooper or barrel maker.
WeseliDerived from the German word “weselig,” meaning “joyful” or “happy”.
KrausGerman word meaning “curly” or “frizzy”.
AeolusIn Greek mythology, Aeolus was the ruler of the winds.
AltenbergGerman name meaning “old mountain”.
EmiliaFeminine form of the Roman family name “Aemilius,” derived from “aemulus” meaning “rival”.
DieterDerived from the Germanic name “Dietrich,” meaning “ruler of the people”.

Kony

Ishobd

Sandstone

Zogb

Diks

Brunhilde

Noskee

Qizo

Girn

Uhokyi

Beanie

Chegeni

Knemchur

Fantasty

Towsu

Undrefelt

Dugo

Ashfeet

Cevil

Fistgrog

Kining

Vinitre

Paul

Conclusion

German last names hold stories of jobs, places, and family history. They’re like special words that connect people to Germany’s past. Each name has a unique tale, making German heritage colorful and interesting.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can surnames in Germany change over time?

Like surnames in any other culture, Surnames in Germany can evolve with time.

Because of language transitions, historical influences, or individual choices made by family members, pronunciations, spellings, or meanings may have altered.

How did German surnames originate?

German surnames have various origins, including occupational names (based on professions), descriptive names (based on physical or personal characteristics), patronymic names (based on the father’s name), and toponymic names (based on a place of origin).

Can I find famous individuals with German surnames?

Yes, there are many famous individuals with German surnames.

For instance, Albert Einstein (Einstein), Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Goethe), Ludwig van Beethoven (Beethoven), and Angela Merkel (Merkel) are notable figures with German heritage.

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