Saturday, December 21, 2019

Jewish Surnames 9


186. Weiner
It is derived from the Yiddish word ‘vayner’ which means ‘wine merchant.’ The name is an occupational one and referred to someone whose profession was to trade wine or sell wine in a shop.
187. Weinreich
It is a cognate of the name ‘Winrich.’ This name is composed of the Old High German elements ‘wini’ meaning ‘friend’ and ‘reich’ meaning ‘rich.’ It thus means ‘rich friend’ and may have been used as a nickname.
188. Weiss
It means ‘white’ in German. The name would have referred to someone with very light skin or hair.
189. Winterstein
It is an ornamental surname composed of the German words ‘winter’ meaning ‘winter’ and ‘stein’ meaning ‘stone.’
190. Wohlberg
This name is composed of the German words ‘wohl’ meaning ‘well-being’ and berg meaning ‘hill’ or ‘mountain.’
191. Yakel
It is a Jewish pet version of ‘Jacob.’ The name ‘Jacob’ is derived from Hebrew name ‘Yaakov’ meaning ‘supplanter.’
192. Yampolsky
It is a toponymic Jewish surname referring to those whose ancestors came from the town of Yampol in Ukraine.
193. Yurkovich
It is a toponymic Jewish surname that refers to someone who originally belonged to a place called Yurkovtsy in Ukraine.
194. Zalman
It is the Yiddish version of the name ‘Solomon.’ This name comes from the Hebrew name ‘Shelmoh’ that is derived from the Hebrew word ‘shalom’ meaning ‘peace.’
195. Zechman
It is a combination of the Yiddish word ‘tsekh’ meaning an ‘artisan’s guild’ and ‘man’ meaning ‘man.’ This Jewish surname could have been an occupational one.
196. Zion
This surname is from the Hebrew ‘tsion’ referring to ‘Mount Zion’ which is a hill in Jerusalem.
197. Ziv
It is the Hebrew word for ‘charm,’ ‘brilliance’ or ‘radiance.’
198. Zuckerberg
This is an ornamental name derived from Germanic elements ‘zucker’ meaning ‘sugar’ and ‘berg’ meaning ‘mountain.’
199. Zuckerman
It means ‘sugarman’ in German and referred to a Jewish family line that were confectioners.
200. Zur
It is an ornamental Jewish surname derived from the Hebrew word ‘tsur’ meaning a ‘rock.’
Jewish surnames provide a glimpse of the vast geographical spread of the community. These names also fascinate us since they have been around for several centuries and are still in use today. We can’t help but be in awe of Jewish surnames.

Jewish Surnames 8


171. Singer
It is derived from the Yiddish word ‘zinger,’ which means ‘singer.’ This occupational name was adopted by those who worked as a cantor in a synagogue.
172. Speyer
This surname was adopted by those who belonged to the city of Speyer in Germany. The town had a thriving Jewish population in the Middle Ages.
173. Spiegelberg
It is an ornamental name composed of the German words ‘spiegel’ meaning ‘mirror’ and ‘berg’ meaning ‘mountain.’
174. Steinbach
This toponymic Jewish surname originated from the German words ‘stein’ meaning ‘stone’ and ‘bach’ meaning ‘stream’ or a ‘creek.’
175. Sternbach
This surname is derived by combining the German words ‘stern’ meaning ‘star’ with ‘bach’ meaning ‘stream.’ The name is likely to have been a toponymic one.
176. Stillman
This was used as a nickname and originated from the combination of the German words ‘still’ meaning ‘quiet’ or ‘calm’ and ‘mann’ meaning ‘man.’
177. Talman
It is a toponymic name derived from the Germanic elements ‘tal’ meaning ‘valley’ and ‘man’ for ‘man.’
178. Tannenbaum
It is an ornamental name originating from the German word ‘Tannenbaum,’ which means ‘pine tree’ or ‘fir tree.’
179. Tilman
This is a metronymic name from the Yiddish feminine personal name ‘Tile’ taken from the Hebrew word ‘tehila’ meaning ‘splendor.’
180. Truman
It is a surname adopted by those from a Latvian village called Trumany in Russian.
181. Turner
It is a toponymic name for those who came from the city of Tarnow in Poland. The city is called ‘Turne’ in Yiddish.
182. Uhr
It is the Germanic word for ‘clock’ or ‘watch.’ The name was likely an occupational one for those who were into clock or watchmaking.
183. Ulman
It is a toponymic name referring to a family line that came from the city of Ulm in Germany. The name is composed of the name of the city with a suffix ‘-man’ added to it.
184. Vogel
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.
185. Wallace
It is the anglicized form of the Ashkenazi Jewish personal name ‘Wallach.’ This name came from the Middle High German nickname ‘walhe,’ which referred to someone from Italy.

Jewish Surnames 7


151. Sas
It is an acronym for ‘sofer stam,’ who is the Jewish scribe of religious texts. This surname has been adopted by those who were writers of religious texts.
152. Sasson
This Jewish surname is a variation of the name ‘Sason’ that means ‘joy’ or ‘happiness’ in Hebrew.
153. Savitz
This is an anglicized form of the name ‘Savich,’ which refers to the family line that belonged to a place called Savichi in Belarus.
154. Schatzman
It is composed of the German elements ‘Schatz’ meaning ‘treasure’ and ‘mann’ meaning ‘man.’
155. Scheiber
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.
156. Schapiro
This is a variant form of the toponymic name ‘Shapiro’ referring to European Jews who lived in the German city of Speyer.
157. Schaefer
It is derived from the German ‘schaf’ meaning ‘sheep.’ This surname refers to those whose ancestors were shepherds.
158. Schechter
It is derived from the Hebrew word ‘shachat’ for ‘butcher.’ The surname is thus an occupational one.
159. Schiffman
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.
160. Schneid
It is derived from the German word ‘schneide,’ which means a ‘blade.’ The name refers to those whose ancestors were in the profession of blade-making.
161. Schneider
It is derived from the Germanic word with the meaning tailor, and denotes someone whose occupation was tailoring.
162. Schor
It is taken from the Hebrew word ‘shor’ which means ‘ox.’ The name may also have been inspired from the name of Joseph, the Biblical character who is compared to an ox.
163. Schreiber
It is the German word for a ‘scribe’ or a ‘writer.’ The name could also have been derived from the Yiddish word ‘shreyber’ that means ‘scribe.’
164. Schwartzberg
This surname is made from the German elements ‘schwarz’ meaning ‘black’ and berg meaning ‘hill’ or ‘mountain.’ The toponymic name thus means ‘black mountain.’
165. Sebag
This name likely comes from the Arabic word ‘sabagh’ that means ‘dyer.’ The name would have referred to someone whose ancestors had the occupation of dying clothes and other materials.
166. Segal
The name comes from the Hebrew phrase ‘segan Leviyah’ which means ‘assistant Levite.’
The word Levite here refers to a member of a tribe called Levi, which according to the Bible was one of the tribes of Israel.
167. Shamash
This surname denotes to a sexton or beadle a synagogue. The sexton maintains the synagogue and works as a warden. The name refers to those whose ancestral profession was that of a Shamash.
168. Shapiro
It is a toponymic name for those who originally belonged to the German city of Speyer.
169. Sheffer
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.
170. Shulman
It is an elaborative form of the Yiddish word ‘shul’ meaning ‘synagogue.’ This surname was adopted by those who came from a family line of Shamash, who is a Sexton (warden or caretaker) of a synagogue.

Jewish Surnames 6


121. Nemeroff
It is an Ashkenazi Jewish toponymic surname referring to those who originally came from the places of Nemirov in Ukraine or Neimirow in Poland.
122. Nerenberg
An alternative form of this surname is ‘Nierenberg.’ These names are toponymic and adopted by a family line that originally belonged to the city of Nuremberg in state of Bavaria of Germany.
123. Nudell
This is a metonymic name derived from the Yiddish word ‘nudl’ meaning ‘needle.’ It refers to someone who originally had the occupation of a tailor or needle-maker.
124. Oberman
It is an elaborated version of the name ‘Ober’ that is derived from the German word ‘ober’ meaning ‘chief’ or ‘senior.’
125. Ortman
This surname is composed of the German words ‘ort’ meaning ‘place’ and ‘mann’ meaning ‘man.’
126. Osher
It is derived from the Hebrew word ‘ohsheher’ meaning ‘contentment’ or ‘happiness.’
127. Ostrov
It is a toponymic surname for someone from any of the several places called Ostrov in Russia and the Czech Republic. The word ‘ostrov’ means ‘island’ in Russian.
128. Perlman
This name is composed of the Yiddish elements ‘perl’ meaning ‘pearl and ‘man’ meaning ‘man. The name could be an occupational one or could refer to the husband of Perl, which is a common Jewish feminine name.
129. Polanski
It is the variant of the surname ‘Polonsky.’ This name likely refers to someone who came from any of the several places called Polonnoe in Ukraine or Polonka and Polonsk in Belarus.
130. Portnoy
It is the Russian word for ‘tailor.’ The name is thus an occupational one.
131. Rabin
It means ‘rabbi’ in Polish and Ukrainian. The word ‘rabbi’ refers to Jewish religious teachers, and their name comes from the Jewish word ‘rav’ meaning ‘master.’
132. Rabinowitz
It is a Slavic patronymic form of Rabin and means ‘son of Rabbi.’
133. Rayman
It is composed of the Yiddish elements ‘reyn’ meaning ‘pure’ and ‘man’ meaning ‘man.’ The name thus means ‘pure man,’ and it would have likely begun as a pet name.
134. Reidel
This surname is a metonymic occupational name derived from the Yiddish word ‘reydl’ meaning a ‘little wheel.’
135. Rivlin
This is a metronymic name derived from the name ‘Rivke’ that is a variation of the name ‘Rebecca.’ The name ‘Rebecca’ comes from the Hebrew name ‘Rivqah’ meaning ‘to bind’ or ‘to tie.’
136. Romanoff
It is a toponymic name referring to someone whose ancestors came from came from any of the several towns named Romanovo in Russia.
137. Rosenbaum
This surname is an ornamental name adopted from the German phrase ‘rosen baum’ meaning ‘rose tree’ referring to the rose plant.
138. Rosenkranz
This surname is composed of the German words ‘rosen’ meaning ‘rose’ and ‘kranz’ meaning ‘wreath.’ The name thus means ‘rose wreath’
139. Rubin
It is a variation of the Hebrew name ‘Reuben.’ This name is composed of the Hebrew elements ‘reu’ meaning ‘behold’ and ‘ben’ meaning ‘a son.’
140. Ross
The name is derived from the Middle High German word ‘ros’ meaning ‘horse.’ It refers to someone with the occupation of a breeder or keeper of horses.
141. Roth
The name comes from the German word ‘rot’ that means the color ‘red.’
142. Rothenberg
This is an ornamental name, which is a combination of the German elements ‘rot’ meaning ‘red’ and ‘berg’ meaning ‘hill’ or ‘mountain.’
143. Rothschild
It has been taken from the Middle High German elements ‘rot’ meaning ‘red’ and ‘schilt’ meaning ‘shield’ or ‘sign.’
144. Ruderman
This is a metonymic occupational name composed of the Yiddish elements ‘ruder’ meaning ‘rudder’ or ‘oar’ and ‘man’ meaning ‘man.’
145. Sachs
It is a toponymic name for those who belonged to the state of Saxony in Germany. The name Saxony comes from the ancient tribe of Saxons whose name comes from the Old German word ‘sahs’ meaning ‘knife’ or ‘small sword.’
146. Sackman
It is an elaborated form of ‘Sack’ which is an acronym for the Hebrew phrase ‘Zera Keshodim’ meaning ‘seed of the holy.’ The phrase refers to the martyrs of the Jewish community.
147. Sagan
It is a toponymic name referring to the ancestral line, which once inhabited in the town of Zgan in Poland. Another origin of this surname could be the Polish word ‘sagan’ that means ‘pot’ or ‘kettle.’ The name could have been used by those with the occupation of making teapots and kettles.
148. Salzberg
It is an Ashkenazi Jewish last name composed of the German word ‘salz’ meaning ‘salt’ and ‘berg’ meaning ‘hill’ or ‘mountain.’
149. Sandler
It is derived from the Yiddish ‘sandler’ or Hebrew ’sandelar’ meaning ‘shoemaker.’ It refers to those with ancestors who worked as cobblers.
150. Saperstein
This name is made from the German elements ‘saphir’ meaning ‘sapphire’ and ‘stein’ meaning ‘stone.’

Jewish Surnames 5


81. Katz
It is derived from the Hebrew title ‘Kohen Tzedek’ meaning the ‘priest of righteousness.’
82. Kaufman
It is derived from the Yiddish word ‘koyfman,’ which means ‘merchant.’
83. Kempler
The name is composed of the South German word ‘kampel’ meaning ‘comb,’ and the suffix -er. This surname refers to those with the occupation of comb making.
84. Kilman
It is an Ashkenazi Jewish name composed of the Yiddish words ‘kil’ meaning ‘cool’ and ‘man’ meaning ‘man.’ The name means ‘cool man’ and may have begun as a nickname.
85. Kleinfeld
This surname is made from the Yiddish elements ‘klein’ meaning ‘small’ and ‘feld’ meaning ‘field.’
86. Knopp
It is a metronymic occupational name derived from the Yiddish word ‘knop’ meaning ‘button.’
87. Koppel
It is derived from Yiddish personal name ‘kopl,’ which is a nickname of ‘Jacob’ meaning ‘the supplanter’ In Hebrew.
88. Koven
It is a shortened form of the eastern Ashkenazi Jewish name ‘Kovenski’ or ‘Kovensky’ that are toponymic names referring to those from a place called Kaunas in Lithuania.
89. Kovitz
It is a variant of ‘Kowitz,’ which is the German form of the Slavic word ‘kovac’ meaning ‘smith.’
90. Krakow
It is an eastern Ashkenazi Jewish toponymic surname referring to those whose ancestors came from the city Krakow in Poland.
91. Kroll
It comes from the Polish word ‘krol’ that means ‘king.’ The name could be an occupational one for someone working for an aristocratic family. Another origin of the name could be the Polish word ‘krolik’ that means ‘rabbit.’
92. Krone
It is an ornamental name taken from the German word ‘krone’ meaning ‘crown.’
93. Kravitz
It is an occupational name taken from the Polish word ‘krawiec’ that means a ‘tailor.’
94. Kugel
It is an Ashkenazi Jewish name derived from the Yiddish word ‘kugl’ that means a ‘pudding.’
95. Lachman
It is a variant form of the Hebrew name ‘Nachman’ that means ‘consoler’ or ‘comforter.’
96. Landman
This occupational name is from the Middle High German word ‘lant’ referring to someone who was a landlord. The name could also be a toponymic one referring to someone from places called Landau in Europe.
97. Laubenstein
It is a combination of the German words ‘laub’ meaning ‘leaves’ or ‘foliage’ and ‘stein’ meaning ‘stone.’
98. Lehrer
It is an occupational name for someone who originally worked as a teacher. The name is derived from the German word ‘lehrer’ or Yiddish ‘lerer,’ both meaning ‘teacher.’
99. Leib
It comes from the Yiddish word ‘leyb’ meaning ‘lion.’
100. Leichtman
This surname is derived from the Yiddish elements ‘laykht’ meaning ‘light’ and ‘man’ for ‘man.’ The name could have begun as a nickname.
101. Levi
It is a name that is derived from the Hebrew word and means ‘joined,’ ‘attached,’ or ‘united.’
102. Levine
It is a variant spelling for ‘Levin,’ that comes from ‘Levi’ meaning ‘united’ in Hebrew.
103. Liberman
It is composed of the Yiddish elements ‘libe’ meaning ‘love’ or ‘loved’ and ‘man’ meaning ‘man.’ The name thus means ‘beloved man,’ and must have started as a nickname.
104. Lindenberg
This toponymic surname is composed of the German word ‘linden’ meaning ‘linden tree’ and ‘berg’ meaning ‘hill’ or ‘mountain.’
105. Lipman
It is a Yiddish personal name that is composed of the Middle High German elements ‘liep’ meaning ‘beloved’ and ‘man’ meaning ‘man.’
106. Lipschitz
It is another variant of the surname ‘Lipschutz.’ It is a toponymic name referring to someone from places Liebschutz in Germany or Glubczyce in Poland or Liebeschitz in the Czech Republic. All these places trace their names to the Slavic word ‘Lipa’ meaning ‘linden tree.’
107. Loewe
It is an ornamental name derived from the German word ‘lowe’ meaning ‘lion.’
108. Magid
It is derived from Hebrew and means ‘teacher’ or ‘teaching.’ The name refers to someone whose ancestor was a preacher or scholar.
109. Maltzman
This metonymic surname is an elaborated form of ‘Maltz’ that comes from the German word ‘malz’ meaning ‘malt.’
110. Margolis
It is a feminine personal name that means ‘pearls’ in Hebrew.
111. Melamed
It is an occupational Hebrew name referring to someone whose ancestors worked as a primary school teacher.
112. Mehler
It is derived from the German word ‘mehl’ meaning ‘flour.’ This surname refers someone whose ancestors worked as a flour merchant or miller.
113. Mendelson
It means ‘son of Mendel.’ The name Mendel is a Yiddish personal name and a diminutive form of ‘mendl’ meaning ‘man.’
114. Meyer
It is an Ashkenazi Jewish surname that comes from the Hebrew word ‘meir’ meaning ‘enlightened.’
115. Milgram
This name is derived from the Yiddish word ‘milgrym,’ which means ‘pomegranate.’
116. Mindel
It comes from the Yiddish feminine personal name ‘Mindl’ that likely comes from the Old High German word ‘minne’ meaning ‘love.’
117. Mizrahi
It is a toponymic name that means ‘easterner’ or ‘eastern people’ in Hebrew. The name was commonly associated with Jews who were originally native to the Middle East.
118. Morganstein
This Ashkenazi Jewish name is composed of the German elements ‘morgen’ meaning ‘morning’ and ‘stein’ meaning ‘stone.’
119. Moses
It is derived from the Biblical name of the Jewish leader who led Jews out of Egypt. The name likely comes from the Hebrew root verb ‘msh’ meaning ‘to draw something’ like to draw something out of the water.’
120. Nacht
This Ashkenazi Jewish surname comes from the German word ‘nacht’ meaning ‘night.’