100 Top German Surnames

The most common German last names originate from places and professions in Germany. This list of 100 popular German surnames was initially created by searching for the most common last names in German telephone books. If a surname has multiple spelling variations, the different spellings are listed as separate names. For instance, Schmidt also appears as Schmitt and Schmid.

The Origin of German Last Names

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The Meaning and Origin of Famous German Names

By Hyde Flippo

German last names originated with specific meanings, typically tied to professions or locations when they were first adopted. For instance, while the surname Meyer now denotes a dairy farmer, in the Middle Ages, it designated people who helped landlords manage land. Most German surnames derive either from archaic professions (such as Schmidt, Müller, Weber, or Schäfer) or places. Few of the latter are on the following list, but examples include Brinkmann, Berger, and Frank.

The table below includes the origin meaning. If you're curious about what popular German last names directly translate to in English today, see this list of surnames with their English translations.

Popular German Last Names and Their Meanings

In the table below, the German name is listed on the left, with its origin (and explanation if needed) on the right. The acronyms OHG and MHG stand for Old High German and Middle High German, respectively. The acronyms are noted because you won't find the translations for these names in standard online translators or even most German dictionaries.