36 Most Common German Last Names & Their Meanings

German is the most widely spoken mother language in the EU. So, I have hand-picked the 36 most common German last names and their meanings.

Hoffmann

It is composed of the German words hof (farm) and mann (man). In other languages, Hoffmann is spelled Hofmans, Huffman, Hofman, Hofmann, and Hoffmann.

Müller

It is a German occupational surname for “miller.” Möller and Miller are different variants.

Schröder

The German last name Schröder has its origins in the Low German verb “schroden” and means ”chop” or ”cut.” It is basically an occupational name for a tailor.

Schmidt

Schmidt is an occupational last name for a metalworker or blacksmith. German actor Harald Schmidt bears this name and released his first book, Tränen im Aquarium, in 1993.

Neumann

It is a nickname for ”a newcomer” or ”a settler.” Variants include Nyeman, Neiman, Nauman, Naumann, Neuman, and Von Neumann. The English form of the name is Newman.

Schneider

Schneider is an occupational name for a tailor. Schneider is very popular in the German lands of Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Hesse, and Saxony.

Wolf

Wolf is a common name among Germanic-speaking peoples and is symbolizing “wolf-like” or “strong one.”

Fischer

It is the 4th most common German surname. Fischer means fisherman. The English version is Fisher.

Zimmermann

It is a German occupational surname for a carpenter.

Weber

Weber is another German occupational name, this time for a weaver. German historian Albrecht Weber was a member of the Academy of Sciences of Berlin.

Richter

Richter is German for “judge.” This last name is popular in Saxony and Brandenburg.

Meyer

The German name Meyer is derived from Latin maior domus, which is interpreted as “headman of a household.” This name is equivalent to the English name Steward. Variations include Miers, Myer, Mair, Meyr, Mayr, Meier, Maier, Mayer, and Meijer.

Facts about the German language

Johann Christoph Adelung wrote the first German dictionary.

German is the official language in Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Austria.

Middle High German was the language of an extensive literature

English and German share 60% of their vocabulary.

It is the 4th most commonly learned second language globally.

Wagner

It comes from the Germanic occupational family name Waganari, meaning (“wagon driver” – one who transported produce – or “wagonmaker”).

Lange

Lange was used as a nickname for an individual with long limbs. This name means tall one and has its origins in the Old German word ”lang.” The last name Lange is especially found in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern or Brandenburg.

Becker

The surname Becker means ”baker.” German former professional tennis player Boris Becker was ranked as the world No. 1 by the ATP.

Möller

Möller is an occupational name, meaning miller.

Schulz

Schulz is in the top 10 most common German last names. This name used to refer to the village headman.

Schmitz

”Metalworker” or ”blacksmith.”

Schäfer

Meaning “shepherd,” the German family name Schäfer comes from the German word “schäfer.” Variants include Schäffer, Schäfer, and Shaefer.

Krause

It is an occupational name for a maker of jugs. Krause is an interesting choice if you’re looking for something special.

Koch

From Middle High German koch, the last name Koch is interpreted as ”cook.”

How to choose a good German name for your baby

In Germany, baby names must be approved by the Standesamt (German civil registration office). For example, the name cannot be associated with evil.

You don’t want your child to be named something extremely common. However, you can look for unusual names that are still easy to pronounce

Take a moment to write the full name on a clean sheet of paper.

Think about it before you decide to give in to trends.

Bauer

Bauer comes from Middle High German būr, meaning farmer or peasant.

Lehmann

Lehmann is a German surname popular in Brandenburg and Saxony. It signifies a ”feudal tenant.”

Klein

Klein comes from the German word “klien” (small). German painter Anna Klein graduated from the Königliche Kunstgewerbeschule München.

Schulze

It means ”head of village.”

Schwarz

Meaning ”black,” the German family name Schwarz has its origins in the German ”schwarz.” German billionaire businessman Dieter Schwarz is the former CEO of the supermarket chain Lidl.

Herrmann

From the Germanic elements heri (army) and mann (man), Herrmann is symbolizing ”soldier.”

Braun

The name Braun means brown. Braun GmbH is a German consumer products company founded in 1921.

Mayer

Mayer means superior or higher.

Krüger

Krüger is an occupational German name that means tavern owner. German astronomer Adalbert Krueger was editor of Astronomische Nachrichten.

Scholz

Scholzis derived from the German word Schultheiß (mayor).

Hartmann

The German family name Hartmann is made from the Germanic word “hart”(hard) and “Mann” (person).

König

Koenig means king or ruler.

Schmitt

Blacksmith.

Werner

The German last name Werner symbolizes “protector of the army.” The French variant is Guernier, while the English is Warner.

Meier

Meier has meanings that I like, bailiff or steward.