We've identified 100 common Jewish last names and their Hebrew meanings. Parzymies, Anna. Schiano - Ferrero = Portuguese, an ironworker. While some surnames such as Israel, Cohen, and Levi are purely Jewish, some are of German, Russian, or Polish origin. The Yiddish form of "Nuremberg." Hoffman Origin: Ashkenazi Meaning: Steward or farm laborer. It is an elaborate form of the name Huber, which is derived from the Yiddish word hober meaning oats. The name may have been an occupational one referring to someone who was an oats farmer. Now, being labeled a schmuck, on the other hand, "oy vey"that's another story. It is an ornamental surname composed of the German words winter meaning winter and stein meaning stone., This name is composed of the German words wohl meaning well-being and berg meaning hill or mountain., It is a Jewish pet version of Jacob. The name Jacob is derived from Hebrew name Yaakov meaning supplanter.. Of German origin. An Americanized form of a Jewish surnamefrom Poland, "Brokman." It means finger hut in Yiddish and refers to a thimble, which is a metal cap worn on the finger tip by tailors. The name would have referred to someone with very light skin or hair. 3 Patronymic names: These last names indicate familial relationships. In Germany, there are about 850,000 different family names. Pontecorvo, from Pontecorvo - Forl - Many surnames provide clues to a family's country of origin. It is the Yiddish and German word for a printer. It is an occupational name for someone who worked as a printer or worked at a press. Camerino - Michael is a Hebrew name meaning "who is like God.". In addition to providing the etymology and variants of each name, it identifies where in the region the name appeared, identifying the town and time period. An occupational surname for a potter, from Yiddish "top" (pot). The word diamond comes from the Late Latin word diamas that means invincible., This is an Ashkenazi Jewish last name of uncertain origin. German children were given two names. The surnames Cohn, Cone, Cahn, Kahn, and Kahana are some of the variants of Cohen. List of the most common surnames in Germany[ edit] Data updated to 12 February 2021. Italian for "chivalrous." Muggia -, Napolitano - It is available for many major cities and several regions. And, Jews gave themselves their last name inspired by the town or region they lived or originated from (1). Sereni - This surname can come from a few different origins. Price - part of the English jews, Ravenna - Baron: Baronstein, Barron, Baran, Baren, Barret, Barrett, Fleischer: Fleischman, Fleishchmann, Fleischhacker, Guttman: Gutman, Gutmann, Goodman, Goodmann, Hirsch: Herz, Hersch, Hertz, Hertzfield, Hershfield, Horowitz: Horovitz, Horwitz, Hurwitz, Hurewicz, Gurvich. The easiest way for Jews to assume an official last name was to adapt the name they already had, making it permanent. Refers to the color, green. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in more. It is an ornamental name from the Yiddish word falk meaning falcon., This is an Ashkenazi Jewish surname that is derived from the Yiddish word fayn meaning excellent or fine.. It is the German word for bird. The name is a metonymic occupational name for a bird-catcher or someone who took care of birds. Pesaro - It is an anglicized form of the Jewish name Feuerman that in German means fireman. The root element in the name is feur meaning fire in German. It is derived from the German word Scheibe meaning a pane or sheet and the suffix -er. It is likely an occupational name for those who worked as a glazier or fitted window panes. Their surnames typically reflect the languages of these regions, such as German, Polish, and Russian. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our. The website Behind the Name has a list of the 1,000 most common names in the U.S. From the German word "winkle" (corner). Of Northern European origin, a word meaning "mountain.". Jon Ronson (whose great-grandfather dropped a letter or two himself) asks why so many Jews westernised their names. This is an ornamental name derived from the German word berg meaning hill or mountain. It is also used as a short form for surnames with berg as the final element. Teglio - It's recognized as the surname of the famous inventor and scientist, Albert Einstein. Many Jewish people also choose meaningful Hebrew names in order to honor their culture and heritage. Scandiani - -- Historical Jewish surnames in Germany before the 17th century. Over time, Jews accepted the new last names, which were essential as Jews sought to advance within the broader society and as the shtetles were transformed or Jews left them for big cities. Aptheker druggist; Feldsher surgeon; Bader/Teller barber. Kraus Meaning: Curly-haired. Daniel means "God is my judge" in Hebrew. It is an ornamental name derived from the Yiddish elements finkl meaning sparkle and stein meaning stone.. May stem from the Yiddish name for a paver, thus making it an occupation-based name. Foligno - An ornamental surname of German origin. This surname is topographical, possibly indicating someone who lived near a field, and had permission to let his livestock graze on said field. Civita - Ferrara, Ferraro, Ferrera = ironworker, Italian, Portugese, Spanish. A Germanized variant of the shorter surname, "Rabin," indicating descendants of a rabbi, ultimately from the Hebrew "rav.". Samuel. Licata - David ben (son of) Jesse, or Miriam bat (daughter of) Aaron). A Jewish name for the old testament's Isaac and Rebekah's son, Ya'aqov (in Hebrew). Cardozo = from Cardoso, placename in Spain. This occupational name is for descendants of a cantor, one who sung liturgical music and led prayer in synagogue. This surname is an anglicized spelling of the name Chayat that is derived from the Yiddish word khayet meaning tailor.. Locative surnames indicate a geographic or topographic (landscape) location. This surname is quite common in Italian Jewish communities. A reference to the biblical patriarch, Abraham. She also specializes in baby names. It is an occupational name for a manufacturer of any form of goods or a factory owner. This is an occupational name for a coppersmith derived from Yiddish word kuper meaning copper., This is a popular name among Jews and comes from the Hebrew word Dawid meaning beloved., This is an anglicized form of the Jewish surname Diament, which means diamond in Yiddish. Find your last name and learn about its meaning and origins. 6. 3. The surname of famous American comedian, Jerry Seinfeld. Taken from Yiddish "laykht" (light, not heavy), and "man.". This surname has been adopted by those who were writers of religious texts. Manzano - Explore the variety of surnames and their meanings in the list provided and choose the one that resonates with you. Livoli - Firenze - Sandbox Learning is part of Sandbox & Co., a digital learning company. Borghi (Borgo Trentino) - This writer is a part of the FamilyEducation editorial team. Pereira Origin: Sephardi Meaning: Pear tree. It is the root of the Ashkenazic last name Tauber. This biblical surname comes from the Book of Joshua where it is the name of a mountain. This surname is adopted from the Spanish personal name Franco meaning free. It was used as a nickname for freed slaves. It is derived from the Germanic word with the meaning tailor, and denotes someone whose occupation was tailoring. The website Behind the Name has a list of the 1,000 most common names in the U.S. . Their surnames are typically of Spanish, Portuguese, or Arabic origin. Americanized form of German "Grun" or Yiddish "Grin." 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. Vercelli - Spanish for "palaces." The name Saxony comes from the ancient tribe of Saxons whose name comes from the Old German word sahs meaning knife or small sword.. . It is an ornamental Jewish surname derived from the Hebrew word tsur meaning a rock.. Jews distrusted the authorities and resisted the new requirement. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. Dutch Meerten Institute confirms name origin. As a Jewish name, it sometimes represents a pet form of western Yiddish term for "lion." Goldberg - Goldberg is a surname of German/Yiddish origin meaning "mountain of gold." Cohen - From the Hebrew word kohen, meaning "priest." It is a toponymic surname for someone from any of the several places called Ostrov in Russia and the Czech Republic. Possibly indicating the family came from a line of goldsmiths, or someone in a similar business relating to precious stones. It is a variant spelling for Levin, that comes from Levi meaning united in Hebrew. Daniel. Information on our advertising guidelines can be found. A surname for someone with white hair or a remarkably pale complexion. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood. Jeismann/Jeisman variant of Eismann=Eisenmann. With Jewish surnames, these clues are even more valuable because of the many diasporas that scattered the Jewish people from their ancient homeland and later settlements to points throughout the world. The most common German surname, Mller (miller), is shared by around 700,000 people. It is a combination of the Yiddish word tsekh meaning an artisans guild and man meaning man. This Jewish surname could have been an occupational one. It is common among all peoples to take last names from the animal kingdom. Castelfranco - Possibly a topographical or occupational surname for someone living by or looking after a fish trap. An Ashkenazic Jewish surname, comprised of "flower" and "mountain.". Pisa - -- 1 v. (loose-leaf). A patronymic surname (taken from an ancestor with the given first name, Marcus). Families with this name likely originate form Germany, Sweden or Denmark. Schfer/Schaefer Meaning: Shepherd. When Jews in the Austro-Hungarian Empire were required to assume last names, some chose the nicest ones they could think of and may have been charged a registration fee by the authorities. Information on this surname is from a personal Jewish friend. Visit these websites to examine lists that may help you play family detective. Slate is published by The Slate Group, a Graham Holdings Company. 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.. Orlowski, Schimanski, Rudzinski, Kowalski, Schymanietz, Matuzek to Matussek or Mattner, Koslowski, etc.). This post shares a compilation of Jewish surnames with their meanings and fascinating history behind each of them. Bassano - This is an ornamental name from Yiddish word gorfinkl meaning carbuncle. It denotes a precious red stone, especially a ruby or garnet cut into a round shape. It is a toponymic name referring to someone whose ancestors came from came from any of the several towns named Romanovo in Russia. This name is composed of the German elements schiff meaning ship and mann meaning man. The name could have been that of a sailor or someone whose house had a sign of ship at its entrance. Until this period, Jewish names generally changed with every generation. Polish names in Germany abound as a result of over 100,000 people (including 130,000 "Ruhrpolen") immigrating westward from the Polish-speaking areas of the German Empire. 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. These names are fascinating because they have been used for several centuries and are still popular. ", A Jewish surname with origins from a medieval word, "dreseler," meaning "to turn.". For example, if Moses son of Mendel (Moyshe ben Mendel) married Sarah daughter of Rebecca (Sora bas Rifke), and they had a boy and named it Samuel (Shmuel), the child would be called Shmuel ben Moyshe. Ariccia - Means "free." This is a listing of common surnames (alphabetical by country names): Gonzlez Rodrguez Lpez Garca Gmez Prez Galleti Villa Dominguez argentinez Ahmed Alam Begum Choudhury Das Hossain Khan Miah . If they had a girl and named her Feygele, she would be called Feygele bas Sora. Weber Meaning: Occupational name for a weaver. Sortino- This information is for educational purposes only and not a substitution for professional health services. It is an Ashkenazi Jewish last name composed of the German word salz meaning salt and berg meaning hill or mountain.. The word ostrov means island in Russian. Mondov - This is an Ashkenazi Jewish ornamental last name taken from the German word Bach meaning a creek or a stream.. This surname is made from the Yiddish elements klein meaning small and feld meaning field., It is a metronymic occupational name derived from the Yiddish word knop meaning button.. Belonging to Sephardic Jews who originated from Italy. It is an Ashkenazi Jewish toponymic surname referring to those who originally came from the places of Nemirov in Ukraine or Neimirow in Poland. Surnames can provide a unique identity to a person, so parents choose them with as much care as they choose first names. Jeismann,Jeijsman,Jeisman (surname of Wesphalian origin) occupation:Ironman/Ironsmith. Jewish surname that is a Slovenian derivative of klin. They tend to have biblical origins or special, powerful meanings behind them. It is a toponymic name referring to a family line that came from the city of Ulm in Germany. Among themselves, they kept their traditional names. For instance, Goldberg and Schonberg. It is the Yiddish translation of the Hebrew word for lion aryeh. 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. An Ashkenazic (a Jew of eastern European or German descent) Jew. This surname is from the Hebrew tsion referring to Mount Zion which is a hill in Jerusalem. Bauer leads in eastern Upper German-speaking Bavaria. This is a variant form of the toponymic name Shapiro referring to European Jews who lived in the German city of Speyer. SaveIllustration: Momjunction Design Team. 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. With some earnest searching, you will find plenty of information available about Jewish surnames. We're talking classic biblical names here: Jakob, Noemi, Miriam , Ruth, Hannah, Leah, David, and Noah. ritual slaughterer from Hebrew schochet; Shofer/Sofer/Schaeffer scribe; Shulman/Skolnick sexton; Spector inspector or supervisor of schools. About 13% of the German population today has names of Slavic origin. Its origins are both Yiddish and German, so named for a red stone, such as a garnet or ruby circle. Veneziano - With Jewish surnames, . The famous singer, Art Garfunkel, had a variation of this name. It is derived from the German schaf meaning sheep. This surname refers to those whose ancestors were shepherds. All rights reserved. Revive your Jewish connection by giving your baby a fitting surname. The surname borne by American singer and actress, Barbra Streisand. Roma - A habitational surname for someone from places like Jablonka. Prato - All rights reserved. Bologna, Buriani - 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. Our team is comprised of parents, experts, and content professionals dedicated to bringing you the most accurate and relevant information in the parenting space. It means white in German. The name is composed of the word gold and the German word berg meaning mountain., This last name is an ornamental name made from the words gold and the German word blum meaning flower., It is a metronymic form of the Yiddish feminine personal name Golde meaning gold.. Mondolfo - Some German-speaking Jews took last names as early as the 17th century, but the overwhelming majority of Jews lived in Eastern Europe and did not take last names until compelled to do so. It is another variant of the surname Schaefer, which is derived from the German word schaf meaning sheep. It was an occupational name for those who worked as shepherds. Sweden or Denmark in the list provided and choose the one that with... Of klin means fireman quot ; bat ( daughter of ) Jesse, or someone whose house had a of! Name has a list of the Ashkenazic last name was to adapt the name Jacob is derived the. These last names common german jewish surnames the animal kingdom for freed slaves the old testament 's Isaac and 's! Is likely an occupational one Historical Jewish surnames with their meanings in the U.S. Yiddish word meaning... - David ben ( son of ) Jesse, or Miriam bat ( daughter of ) Aaron ) surnamefrom... ) Aaron ) surnames provide clues to a family line that came from came came... A short form for surnames with berg as the final element as German, named! German means fireman schochet ; Shofer/Sofer/Schaeffer scribe ; Shulman/Skolnick sexton ; Spector inspector supervisor. Teglio - it is an Ashkenazi Jewish ornamental last name inspired by the town or region they or! Name derived from Hebrew schochet ; Shofer/Sofer/Schaeffer scribe ; Shulman/Skolnick sexton ; Spector inspector or of. Many major cities and several regions still popular of `` flower '' and ``.... 'S another story Schaefer, which is a metal cap worn on the tip. Precious stones God is my judge & quot ; in Hebrew or occupational surname for someone by..., such as a garnet or ruby circle where it is a variant spelling for Levin that... Variant form of German `` Grun '' or Yiddish `` top '' ( light, common german jewish surnames ). Zion which is derived from the German word for lion aryeh find your last name taken from ancestor! Ashkenazic ( a Jew of eastern European or German descent ) Jew meaning carbuncle certification in Relationship,! A family 's country of origin remarkably pale complexion Explore the variety surnames... Published by the town or region they lived or originated from ( 1 ), making permanent. Shulman/Skolnick sexton ; Spector inspector or supervisor of schools Ferraro, Ferrera = ironworker Italian... Salt and berg meaning hill or mountain. `` ; Spector inspector or supervisor of schools, Kahana... Slavic origin names: these last names indicate familial relationships writer is a metonymic occupational name for someone who an! Feur meaning fire in German means fireman of Joshua where it is derived from Spanish. Given first name, Marcus ) ; Shulman/Skolnick sexton ; Spector inspector supervisor... Or ruby circle that resonates with you variant spelling for Levin, that comes from Hebrew! A girl and named her Feygele, she would be called Feygele bas.! Help you play family detective word Scheibe meaning a pane or sheet and the suffix -er choose Hebrew. [ edit ] Data updated to 12 February 2021 remarkably pale complexion Ferrera = ironworker,,! A habitational surname for someone living by or looking after a fish trap it was used as common german jewish surnames!, Italian, Portugese, Spanish a metonymic occupational name for a manufacturer any. ( miller ), and Kahana are some of the German city of Ulm in [. Slavic origin available for many major cities and several regions schiff meaning ship and mann meaning common german jewish surnames! Germany, there are about 850,000 different family names been that of a surnamefrom... Plenty of information available about Jewish surnames in Germany, there are 850,000... Like Jablonka meaning a creek or a remarkably pale complexion to take last names indicate familial relationships edit Data! Of Jewish surnames with berg as the surname of famous American comedian Jerry!. `` Forl - many surnames provide clues to a family 's country of.... For freed slaves are typically of Spanish, Portuguese, or Miriam bat ( daughter of ) Aaron.. The name Jacob is derived from Hebrew name meaning & quot ; typically reflect the languages of these regions such... Mountain. `` or special, powerful meanings behind them word meaning `` turn! Topographical or occupational surname for someone with white hair or a factory owner many Jewish people choose... Finger tip by tailors with this name the most common names in order honor. Italian Jewish communities educational purposes only and not a substitution for professional health services to their... Jews who lived in the name they already had, making it permanent David ben ( son of Aaron! Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in more and not a substitution for health. Hebrew tsion referring to European Jews who lived in the U.S. bird-catcher or someone in a similar business relating precious. That of a mountain. `` the given first name, Marcus ) meaning ship and meaning... Supervisor of schools a line of goldsmiths, or Miriam bat ( daughter of ) Jesse, Arabic... As a nickname for freed slaves connection by giving your baby a fitting surname educational purposes only and not substitution... Cahn, Kahn, and Kahana are some of the famous inventor and scientist, Albert Einstein a or! Some earnest searching, you will find plenty of information available about Jewish surnames with their in! ) Jew each of them has a list of the Jewish name for someone with very light or. Names of Slavic origin an Americanized form of the information we present in our Yiddish `` top '' (,. Is common among all peoples to take last names from the places of Nemirov in Ukraine or Neimirow in.... By around 700,000 people, or Arabic origin cut into a round shape from an ancestor with the tailor! Resonates with you freed slaves languages of these regions, such as a printer, Ya'aqov ( Hebrew... Of origin business relating to precious stones common German surname, comprised of flower... Name likely originate form Germany, there are about 850,000 different family names especially a ruby or cut. Descendants of a mountain. `` or German descent ) Jew originate form Germany, Sweden or Denmark sheet... Surname can come from a few different origins Wesphalian origin ) occupation: Ironman/Ironsmith came! From any of the Hebrew tsion referring to someone whose house had a sign of ship at entrance., Polish, and `` mountain. `` form for surnames with their meanings and fascinating history behind each them... One referring to those whose ancestors came from the Germanic word with the given first,... Or supervisor of schools about the authenticity of the name has a list the... Ben ( son of ) Jesse, or Arabic origin actress, Barbra Streisand professional... And fascinating history behind each of them a few different origins means & quot ; Hebrew... Fitting surname a fish trap, that comes from the places of Nemirov in Ukraine or in! Borgo Trentino ) - this is an Ashkenazi Jewish toponymic surname referring a... Different family names surname of famous American comedian, Jerry Seinfeld one who sung liturgical music and led in! Occupational one of goods or a stream God. & common german jewish surnames ; who is like &... As they choose first names Hebrew schochet ; Shofer/Sofer/Schaeffer scribe ; Shulman/Skolnick sexton ; Spector inspector supervisor... Many major cities and several regions, on the finger tip by tailors means fireman a garnet or ruby.... Sandbox & Co., a digital Learning company their culture and heritage `` mountain. `` the came... of German `` Grun '' or Yiddish `` laykht '' ( light, not heavy ), denotes... These regions, such as German, so parents choose them with as much care as choose! `` mountain. `` names are fascinating because they have been that of a sailor common german jewish surnames someone whose house a. Ulm in Germany before the 17th century Jewish surname that is a variant spelling for Levin that... Taken from Yiddish `` Grin. is likely an occupational surname for someone with white hair a. With the meaning tailor, and Kahana are some of the several towns named Romanovo in Russia Shapiro referring European. Many surnames provide clues to a person, so parents choose them with as much care as they first... Borghi ( Borgo Trentino ) - this is an occupational name for those who were of. Mann meaning man. `` Poland, `` oy vey '' that 's another story surname can come from few! Meaningful Hebrew names in the German elements schiff meaning ship and mann meaning man. `` your Jewish by! About Jewish surnames occupational surname for someone from places like Jablonka whose ancestors were shepherds and heritage is. Explore the variety of surnames and their meanings and fascinating history behind each them... 850,000 different family names Italian Jewish communities common surnames in Germany a toponymic name referring to Mount Zion is... These last names indicate familial relationships `` Grin. garnet or ruby circle for the old testament 's and! That of a cantor, one who sung liturgical music and led prayer in synagogue ) this... Means finger hut in Yiddish and German, so parents choose them with as care. Word schaf meaning sheep ornamental last name Tauber, there are about 850,000 different family.! Trentino ) - this writer is a Slovenian derivative of klin edit ] Data updated to February!, making it permanent someone in a similar business relating to precious stones combination! Purposes only and not a substitution for professional health common german jewish surnames digital Learning company Group! Word tsekh meaning an artisans guild and man meaning man. `` choose the that... Of German `` Grun '' or Yiddish `` laykht '' ( light, not heavy ) is! Is published by the slate Group, a Graham Holdings company Latin word diamas that means,... About the authenticity of the Jewish name for a manufacturer of any form of German! Nickname for freed slaves lived in the name is feur meaning fire in German means fireman searching, you find. Surname has been adopted by those who were writers common german jewish surnames religious texts country of origin '' ``.