Germany has been shaped by its traditions, customs, regional influences, and historical events and is the birthplace of art and ideas. Germans are regarded as meticulous, industrious, innovative, and resilient. On this page, you’ll find curated lists of common German surnames that reflect the fascinating history of Germany.
What are German Last Names?
German last names connect a nation and culture with history and wonder. For most of history, what is now Germany was a group of Germanic states and powers unified by similar languages and cultures. German last names typically sound strong, with common themes including references to jobs or geographic places, which can give insight into the history of a German family. Common German-American last names include Schmidt, Schultz, Schneider, Keller, and Becker. Unique German-American last names include Schroeder, Bauer, Kramer, Roth, and Schaefer.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Old German separated from other Germanic languages and eventually developed into modern German. This evolution’s effects on German surnames are evident in that these surnames stem from Old German, Middle High German, and other languages like Yiddish that influenced German. Religious-based surnames are popular due to the influence of Catholicism and Protestantism in German culture. We’ve curated a list of the most comprehensive German last names, followed by surnames by theme, which serves as a guide to learning about German surnames.
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Top 100 German Last Names
Check out our list of common German last names to understand these surnames. Many common German last names have origins in professions, physical characteristics, or geographical locations.
- Müller – Miller
- Schmidt – Smith
- Schneider – Tailor
- Fischer – Fisherman
- Weber – Weaver
- Meyer – Farm administrator or Bailiff
- Wagner – Wagon maker
- Becker – Baker
- Schulz – Mayor or Magistrate
- Hoffmann – Steward or Court man
- Koch – Cook
- Richter – Judge
- Bauer – Farmer
- Schäfer – Shepherd
- Klein – Small
- Wolf – Wolf
- Schröder – Carter or Driver
- Neumann – New man
- Schwarz – Black
- Braun – Brown
- Zimmermann – Carpenter
- Hofmann – Court man
- Lange – Long
- Hartmann – Strong man
- Krüger – Innkeeper or Jug maker
- Krause – Curly-haired
- Lehmann – Tenant farmer
- Schmitt – Smith
- Meier – Farm administrator or Bailiff
- Werner – Defender
- Schmid – Smith
- Schulze – Mayor or Magistrate
- Maier – Farm administrator or Bailiff
- Schmitz – Smith
- Herrmann – Army man
- Mayer – Farm administrator or Bailiff
- Köhler – Charcoal burner
- König – King
- Walter – Ruler of the army
- Huber – Landowner
- Kaiser – Emperor
- Peters – Of Peter
- Fuchs – Fox
- Möller – Miller
- Lang – Long
- Scholz – Mayor or Magistrate
- Jung – Young
- Weiß – White
- Hahn – Rooster
- Keller – Cellar man or Tavern owner
- Berger – Mountain man or Miner
- Schubert – Shoemaker
- Vogel – Bird
- Friedrich – Peaceful ruler
- Frank – Free or Frankish man
- Roth – Red
- Winkler – Winkle-picker or metal worker
- Günther – Warrior or Army warrior
- Beck – Brook or Stream
- Lorenz – Of Lawrence
- Baumann – Builder or Peasant farmer
- Franke – Frankish man
- Albrecht – Noble and bright
- Ludwig – Famous warrior
- Winter – Winter
- Simon – Of Simon
- Schuster – Shoemaker
- Schumacher – Shoemaker
- Kraus – Curly-haired
- Böhm – Bohemian
- Vogt – Steward or Bailiff
- Martin – Of Martin
- Stein – Stone
- Jäger – Hunter
- Sommer – Summer
- Krämer – Merchant or Shopkeeper
- Brandt – Fire or Burned
- Otto – Wealth
- Heinrich – Home ruler
- Schulte – Village head or Bailiff
- Graf – Count or Nobleman
- Seidel – Beer mug or Pot
- Haas – Hare
- Schreiber – Scribe or Writer
- Groß – Big or Tall
- Dietrich – People’s ruler
- Engel – Angel
- Ziegler – Brick maker
- Horn – Horn
- Bergmann – Mountain man or Miner
- Pohl – Pool or Small body of water
- Kuhn – Bold or Brave
- Jansen – Son of Jan
- Voigt – Steward or Bailiff
- Beyer – Bavarian
- Busch – Bush or Thicket
- Thomas – Of Thomas
- Hansen – Son of Hans
- Arnold – Eagle power
- Lindner – Linden tree grower
Unique German Last Names
From the mountains of Bavaria to the canals of Hamburg, here we present some unique German last names on record. These German last names have deeply rooted historical or regional significance that might not be immediately recognizable.
- Arndt – Eagle
- Bach – Brook or Stream
- Baumgartner – Tree gardener
- Bayer – From Bavaria
- Berg – Mountain
- Brunner – Well or Spring
- Bruns – From Brun
- Burger – Citizen or Bourgeois
- Decker – Roofer or Thatch layer
- Dietz – People’s ruler
- Falk – Falcon
- Faust – Fist
- Fink – Finch
- Franz – From the name Francis
- Fritz – Peaceful ruler
- Geiger – Violinist or Fiddler
- Gerber – Tanner
- Gerhardt – Brave spear
- Hagen – Hawthorn or Enclosure
- Hammer – Hammer or Ironworker
- Hauser – House owner
- Heller – Bright or Clear
- Hildebrand – Battle sword
- Hiller – From a place with hills
- Hummel – Bumblebee
- Kern – Kernel or Seed
- Kessler – Potter
- Kiefer – Pine or Jawbone
- Kolb – Mace or Club
- Kraft – Power or Strength
- Krieger – Warrior
- Kroll – Curly or Bald
- Kruse – Curly-haired
- Lauer – Ambush or Lookout
- Lenz – Spring season
- Lutz – Famous warrior
- Marx – Mark’s son
- Metz – From the town Metz
- Metzger – Butcher
- Miller – Mill worker
- Mueller – Miller
- Münch – Monk
- Pfeifer – Piper
- Pfeiffer – Whistler or Piper
- Reich – Rich or Kingdom
- Reinhardt – Strong counsel
- Reiter – Rider or Horseman
- Riedel – From a clearing or marshy meadow
- Ritter – Knight
- Rudolph – Famous wolf
- Sauer – Sour
- Schaefer – Shepherd
- Scherer – Shearer or Barber
- Schilling – Shilling, a form of currency
- Schrader – Carter or Wagon-maker
- Schroeder – Carter or Driver
- Schüler – Student
- Schultz – Mayor or Magistrate
- Schütz – Protector or Watchman
- Schwab – From Swabia
- Seitz – Victory or Victory protector
- Siegel – Seal
- Stahl – Steel
- Steffen – Crown or Wreath
- Steiner – Stonemason or From stone
- Stoll – Stalwart or Foundation
- Uhlig – From a lucky charm
- Ullmann – Prosperity or Power
- Ulrich – Ruler or Heritage
- Urban – From the city or Urbane
- Wahl – Choice or Election
- Wendt – Wend, a Slavic group
- Wenzel – Wreath or Crown
- Wetzel – Chase or Hunt
- Wilhelm – Determined protector
- Wolff – Wolf
- Zeller – Cellarer or From the cellar
Cool German Last Names
These cool German last names are fit for Berlin’s hottest discotheques and raves. Their distinctiveness and resonance leave a lasting impression, making them favorites among those looking for names with a blend of heritage and flair.
- Ackermann – Fieldman or Plowman
- Bader – Bathhouse keeper
- Beckmann – Baker
- Beer – Bear
- Behrens – Bear
- Benz – Bear’s son
- Bertram – Bright raven
- Betz – God’s pledge
- Bohn – Bean
- Brauer – Brewer
- Christ – Christian or Follower of Christ
- Faber – Smith or Artisan
- Freitag – Friday
- Freund – Friend
- Fries – From Frisia or Frisian
- Funke – Spark
- Götz – God’s peace
- Greiner – Green or Grower
- Haag – Hedge or Enclosed area
- Hanke – God’s gracious
- Haupt – Head or Chief
- Hecht – Pike fish
- Held – Hero
- Kasper – Treasurer
- Kemper – Warrior or Fighter
- Klose – Nicholas or Victory people
- Konrad – Bold counselor
- Kopp – Head or Hill
- Körner – Grain dealer
- Krebs – Crab or Cancer
- Kremer – Shopkeeper
- Krug – Jug or Tavern keeper
- Kurz – Short
- Langer – Long
- Lemke – Lamb
- Meister – Master
- Moll – Soft or Tender
- Moritz – Dark-skinned
- Noll – Little or Noble
- Reimer – Rime or Poetry
- Rieger – Angry or Quarrelsome
- Römer – Roman
- Rupp – Raven
- Scharf – Sharp
- Schnell – Fast or Quick
- Scholl – Black or Swarthy
- Schütze – Archer or Shooter
- Sievers – Son of Sievert
- Specht – Woodpecker
- Sturm – Storm
- Ullrich – Prosperity or Power
- Wegner – Wagon maker
- Weidner – Willow or From a meadow
- Wichmann – Battle or Warrior
- Wild – Wild
- Wolter – Ruler or Army
Pretty German Last Names
Pretty German last names evoke beautiful imagery, natural elements, or positive sentiments. Many of these names are inspired by Germany’s picturesque landscapes, flora, and fauna or have pretty meanings.
- Appel – Apple
- Auer – Meadow or Marshland
- Bachmann – Brook or Stream man
- Bär – Bear
- Bernhardt – Brave as a bear
- Bischoff – Bishop
- Breuer – Brewer
- Eberhardt – Strong as a boar
- Engelhardt – Hard/Strong angel
- Engelmann – Angel man
- Engels – Angel
- Esser – Eater or one from Essen
- Evers – Boar or Wild boar
- Fiedler – Fiddler
- Fleischer – Butcher
- Fleischmann – Meat man
- Fröhlich – Joyful or Happy
- Haller – From a salt-producing area
- Hamann – High man
- Hartung – Brave or Strong young man
- Heinze – House owner or Ruler
- Henkel – Handle
- Herbst – Autumn
- Hildebrandt – Battle sword
- Kirchner – Church servant
- Knoll – Hilltop
- Kohl – Cabbage or Coal miner
- Kühne – Bold or Brave
- Kunz – Bold Counselor
- Lechner – From a slope or hillside
- Lindemann – Linden tree man
- Linke – Left or Left-handed
- Naumann – New man
- Reichert – Rich or Powerful
- Reimann – Counsel man
- Schindler – Shingle maker
- Schlegel – Hammer or Flail
- Schön – Beautiful
- Steinbach – Stone brook
- Straub – Rough or Wild
- Thiel – People’s ruler
- Timm – God-fearing
- Walther – Ruler of the army
- Weiler – Hamlet or Small village
- Weis – Wise or White
- Wiese – Meadow
- Winkelmann – Corner man
- Wirth – Host or Innkeeper
- Wunderlich – Wonderful or Strange
Old German Last Names
Old German last names harken back to medieval times and can trace their origins to ancient professions, geographic regions, or personal characteristics. Even though some of these names might be less common today, they serve as a window into Germany’s past.
- Altmann – Old man
- Baier – From Bavaria
- Born – Well or Spring
- Bosch – Bush or Thicket
- Böttcher – Cooper or Barrel maker
- Brüggemann – Bridge man
- Eggers – Sword’s edge
- Ehlers – Honorable
- Feldmann – Field man
- Förster – Forester
- Fuhrmann – Carter or Wagon driver
- Gärtner – Gardener
- Gebauer – Builder or Constructor
- Geisler – Hostage or Pledge
- Gerlach – Spear or Spear thrower
- Geyer – Vulture
- Haase – Hare
- Hartwig – Strong in battle
- Heinemann – Home man
- Heinz – House owner or Ruler
- Hermann – Army man
- Herold – Herald
- Hohmann – High man
- Kaufmann – Merchant
- Kellner – Cellarer or Waiter
- Kirsch – Cherry
- Klaus – Victory of the people
- Klinger – Cleric or Writer
- Köster – Sexton
- Kröger – Potter
- Lohmann – From a clearing in the forest
- Marquardt – Land boundary
- Merz – Famous spear
- Nickel – Victory of the people
- Otte – Wealth or Fortune
- Popp – Father
- Rau – Rough or Hairy
- Rauch – Smoke
- Rausch – Intoxication or Rush
- Reuter – Rider
- Rothe – Red
- Sander – Protector of man
- Schiller – To tinkle or Chime
- Schlüter – Doorkeeper
- Schott – Scot or Scottish person
- Schramm – Scratch or Scar
- Schreiner – Carpenter
- Seifert – Soap maker
- Seiler – Ropemaker
- Sonntag – Sunday
- Stephan – Crown or Wreath
- Strauß – Bouquet or Ostrich
- Vetter – Cousin
Rare German Last Names
These rare German last names are the most beloved by German culture connoisseurs. These last names are unique identifiers that have perhaps become less common over the generations or were originally less widespread.
- Augustin – August or Venerable
- Bahr – Bare or Open space
- Barthel – Short form of Bartholomew
- Bartsch – Beard
- Behrendt – Bear brave
- Bittner – Cooper or Barrel maker
- Brandl – Little fire or Burnt land
- Burkhardt – Strong as a fortress
- Büttner – Cooper or Barrel maker
- Dittrich – Mighty among the people
- Döring – From the Thorn bush
- Dörr – Drier
- Eggert – Sword’s edge
- Eichler – From the Oak tree
- Erdmann – Earth man
- Fritsch – Peace ruler
- Geißler – Goat herder
- Göbel – God’s brightness
- Großmann – Big man
- Henke – House owner or Ruler
- Hensel – Little Hans
- Hentschel – Little Hans
- Hesse – From the region of Hesse
- Heuer – Haymaker
- Hinrichs – Home ruler
- Hinz – Child of Hinrich
- Höfer – From the courtyard
- Hoppe – Hop or Skip
- Hübner – Hoop maker
- Jahn – God is gracious
- Janßen – John’s son
- Jost – Just or Fair
- Jürgens – Son of Jürgen or George
- Keil – Wedge
- Kluge – Clever or Wise
- Kretschmer – Innkeeper
- Kunkel – Spindle
- Kunze – Short form of Konrad
- Löffler – Spoon maker
- Meißner – From Meissen
- Menzel – Little man
- Neubert – New bright
- Neuhaus – New house
- Opitz – Prosperity and Courage
- Pietsch – Rock
- Preuß – Prussian
- Probst – Provost
- Raab – Raven
- Radtke – Little wheel
- Röder – Famous spear
- Rohde – Clearing
- Runge – Rung or Step
- Schenk – Server or Pourer
- Schröter – Carter
- Schweizer – Swiss
- Seidl – Pail or Jug
- Stumpf – Stump or Stubborn
- Völker – People’s guard
- Walz – Wanderer
- Weise – Wise
- Wiegand – Battle way
- Wiesner – From the meadow
- Wirtz – Innkeeper
Uncommon German Last Names
These surnames might have regional origins or be derived from professions, natural elements, or personal characteristics that are less prevalent. While not as rare as some names, uncommon German surnames can provide intriguing insights into familial history or geographic roots.
- Albers – Noble or Bright
- Baur – Builder or Farmer
- Beier – Bavarian
- Berndt – Brave as a bear
- Bode – Messenger
- Böhme – Bohemian
- Brinkmann – Man by the edge
- Brückner – Bridge keeper
- Buchholz – Beech wood
- Bühler – From the hill
- Eder – Swift stream
- Fricke – Peace ruler
- Gebhardt – Brave gift
- Giese – Short form of Gilbert
- Hagemann – Enclosed or Hedge man
- Heine – Home ruler
- Hennig – Home ruler
- Klemm – Clamp or Vise
- Krauß – Curly
- Kuhlmann – Cool man
- Maas – Measuring cup
- Mayr – Mayor or Steward
- Merkel – Little famous one
- Mertens – Son of Martin
- Neubauer – New farmer
- Neugebauer – New builder
- Niemann – New man
- Noack – New
- Nolte – New
- Pape – Pope
- Pieper – Piper
- Reichel – Rich or Powerful
- Ries – Giant
- Sauter – Jump or Leap
- Schade – Damage or Pity
- Scheffler – Steward or Manager
- Schumann – Shoemaker
- Schütte – Pourer or Server
- Seeger – Lake
- Siebert – Victory bright
- Stadler – From the city
- Steffens – Stephen’s
- Strobel – Tumble or Ruffle
- Thiele – People’s ruler
- Vollmer – Full famous
- Voß – Fox
- Westphal – Westphalian
- Wiedemann – Wide man
- Wieland – Battle land
- Wimmer – Carpenter
- Wittmann – White man
- Wulf – Wolf
More Lists:
- German First Names
- French Last Names
- Italian Last Names
- → See all Last Names by Nationality ~ Start Here
Famous People with German Last Names
Albert Einstein is considered one of the greatest minds in human history. He was born in Germany in 1879 and fled the Nazis in 1933, going to Belgium, where he turned in his German passport and renounced his citizenship. His work as a theoretical physicist earned him a Nobel Prize in 1922. Einstein is a geographic surname from Middle High German, meaning ‘to surround with stone.’
Ludwig van Beethoven was born in Germany in 1770 and was a brilliant pianist and composer. One of the most renowned composers of Western music, his symphonies and concertos are played throughout schools and concert halls to this day. The surname van Beethoven comes from a region in Belgium and means ‘beet farm.’
Michael Schumacher is a world champion racing driver and UNESCO ambassador. Born in Germany in 1969, he has competed in Formula One and is known for pushing his car to its greatest potential. Schumacher is of German and Jewish origin and means ‘shoemaker.’
Angela Merkel, born in 1954, is a German scientist and politician. She earned her doctorate in quantum chemistry and served in several government positions before being elected Chancellor of Germany. The surname Merkel is a shortened form of Old German names: Markwart, which means ‘guardian of the frontier,’ and Markhard, which means ‘strong frontier.’
Oskar Schindler was born in the Czech Republic in 1908. He joined the Nazi party in 1939 but turned against them to save the lives of his Jewish factory workers. He hid workers in his factory and bribed officials to stop killings, saving around 1,200 Jews from the Holocaust. Schindler is a German surname that comes from the word Schindel, which means ‘shingle.’
References
Information from Wikipedia on German last names was used in the collection of this data. If you are interested in learning more about German surnames, the Digital Dictionary of Surnames in Germany provides an overview of surnames in Germany and makes the results available to the public.
