The Meaning and Origin of Famous German Names

Have you ever wondered about some of the famous German last names youve heard or read about? Whats in a German name? The meaning and origins of names are not always what they seem to be at first glance. German surnames and place names often trace their roots back to old Germanic words that have changed their meaning or gone out of use entirely. For example, the last name of author Gà ¼nter Grass seems to be obvious. Although the German word for grass is das Gras, the German authors name really has nothing to do with grass. His last name comes from a Middle High German word with a very different meaning. People who know just enough German to be dangerous may tell you that the surname Gottschalk means Gods rogue or Gods scoundrel. Well, this name – borne by the famous German TV host Thomas Gottschalk (virtually unknown outside of the German-speaking world) and an American department store chain – actually has a much better meaning. Similar mistakes or mistranslations can arise because words (and names) change their meanings and spellings over time. The name Gottschalk goes back at least 300 years to a time when the German word Schalk had a different meaning than it has today. (More below.) Arnold Schwarzenegger is another famous person whose name is sometimes explained in a misleading and even racist way. But his name is only confusing to people who dont know German very well, and it certainly has nothing to do with black people. The correct pronunciation of his name makes that very clear: Schwarzen-egger. Learn more about these and other names in the alphabetical list below. Also, see the list of related Germanic name resources at the end. German Surnames of the Rich and/or Famous Konrad Adenauer (1876-1967) - First chancellor of West GermanyMany surnames come from a geographic location or town. In the case of Adenauer, who served in Bonn as the very first Bundeskanzler, his name comes from a small town very close to Bonn: Adenau, first listed in the records as Adenowe (1215). A person from Adenau is known as an Adenauer. The German-American Henry Kissinger is another example of German name derived from a town (see below). Johann Sebastian Bach (1770-1872) - German composerSometimes a name is exactly what it seems to be. In the case of the composer, the German word der Bach means that his ancestors lived near a small stream or brook. But the name Bache, with an added e, is related to another old word meaning smoked meat or bacon and hence a butcher. (The modern German word Bache means wild sow.) Boris Becker (1967- ) - former German tennis star. He has an occupational name far removed from how Becker gained fame: baker (der Bà ¤cker). Karl Benz (1844-1929) - German co-inventor of the automobileMany last names were once (or still are also) first or given names. Karl (also Carl) Benz has a surname that was once a nickname for either Bernhard (strong bear) or Berthold (splendid ruler).   Gottfried Wilhelm Daimler (1834-1900) - German co-inventor of the automobileOlder variations of Daimler include Deumler, Teimbler, and Teumler. Not exactly a name meaning desired by someone dealing with cars, Daimler is derived from an old southern German word (Tà ¤umler) meaning swindler, from the verb tà ¤umeln, to overcharge or cheat. In 1890, he and his partner Wilhelm Maybach founded the Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft (DMG). In 1926 DMG merged with the Karl Benz company to form Daimler-Benz AG. (Also see Karl Benz above).   Thomas Gottschalk (1950- ) - German TV host (Wetten, dass...?)The name Gottschalk literally means Gods servant. Although today the word der Schalk is understood as rogue or scoundrel, its original meaning was more like der Knecht, servant, knave, or farmhand. In the early 1990s, Gottschalk and his family bought a home in Los Angeles (Malibu), where he could live without being mobbed by German fans. He still spends summers in California. Like Gottlieb (Gods love), Gottschalk was also a first name. Stefanie Steffi Graf (1969- ) - former German tennis starThe German word der Graf is the same as the English title of nobility count. Gà ¼nter Grass (1927- ) - German Nobel-prize winning authorA good example of a surname that seems obvious, but isnt the famous authors name comes from the Middle High German (1050-1350) word graz, meaning angry or intense. Once they know this, many people think the name suits the often controversial writer.   Henry Kissinger  (1923- ) - German-born former U.S. Secretary of State (1973-1977) and Nobel Peace Prize laureateHeinz Alfred Kissingers name is a place name meaning a person from Bad Kissingen, a famous spa resort town in Franconian Bavaria. Kissingers great great grandfather (Urgroßvater) derived his name from the town in 1817. Even today, a person from Bad Kissingen (pop. 21,000) is known as a Kissinger. Heidi Klum  (1973- ) - German supermodel, actressIronically, Klum is related to the old German word  klumm  (knapp, short, limited;  geldklumm, short on money) and  klamm  (klamm  sein, slang for strapped for cash). As a star model, Klums financial situation certainly does not fit her name. Helmut Kohl  (1930- ) - former German chancellor (1982-1998)The name Kohl (or Cole) is derived from an occupation: a grower or seller of cabbage (der Kohl. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart  (1756-1791) - Austrian composerBaptized as Joannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, the genius composer had a last name that comes from a term of ridicule or mockery. First recorded in the 14th century as Mozahrt in southern Germany, the name is based on the old Alemannic word  motzen, to roll in  mud. Originally a first name (with the common ending -hart), the term was used for someone who was sloppy, untidy, or dirty. Ferdinand Porsche  (1875-1951) - Austrian auto engineer and designerThe name Porsche has Slavic roots and is probably derived from a shortened form of the first name Borislav (Boris), meaning famous fighter (bor, fighting   slava, fame). Porsche designed the original Volkswagen. Maria Schell  (1926-2005) - Austrian-Swiss film actressMaximilian Schell  (1930 - ) - Austrian-Swiss film actorAnother name with Middle High German origins. The MHG  schell  meant exciting or wild. Brother and sister also both appeared in Hollywood films. Claudia Schiffer  (1970- ) - German supermodel, actressOne of Claudias ancestors was probably a sailor or ships captain (der Schiffer, skipper). Oskar Schindler  (1908-1974) - German factory owner of Schindlers list fameFrom the profession of  Schindelhauer  (shingle maker). Arnold Schwarzenegger  (1947- ) - Austrian-born actor, director, politicianNot only is the former bodybuilders name a bit long and unusual, but it is also often misunderstood. Arnolds last name is made up of two words:  schwarzen, black   egger, corner, or loosely translated, black corner (das  schwarze  Eck). His ancestors probably came from a location that was forested and seemed dark (like the Black Forest,  der Schwarzwald).   Til Schweiger  (1963- ) - German screen star, director, producerAlthough it seems related to  schweigen  (to be silent), the actors name is actually derived from Middle High German  sweige, meaning farm or dairy farm. Schweiger has also appeared in several Hollywood movies, including as a villain in  Laura Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life  (2003). Johnny Weissmuller  (1904-1984) - U.S. Olympic swimming champ best known as TarzanAnother occupational name: wheat miller (der Weizen / Weisz  Ã‚  der Mà ¼ller / Mueller). Although he always claimed he was born in Pennsylvania, Weissmuller was  actually  born to Austrian parents in what is now Rumania.   Ruth Westheimer (Dr. Ruth)  (1928- ) - German-born sex therapistBorn in Frankfurt am Main as Karola Ruth Siegel (das Siegel, stamp, seal), Dr. Ruths last name (from her late husband Manfred Westheimer) means at home / living in the west (der West  Ã‚  heim). Books on German Family Names  (in German) Professor Udolphs Buch der Namen - Woher sie kommen, was sie bedeutenJà ¼rgen Udolph, Goldmann, paper - ISBN: 978-3442154289 Duden - Familiennamen: Herkunft und Bedeutung von 20 000 NachnamenRosa and Volker KohlheimBibliographisches Institut, Mannheim, paper - ISBN: 978-3411708529 Das große Buch der FamiliennamenHorst NaumannBassermann, 2007, paper - ISBN: 978-3809421856