Fun German Surnames
I may have some German ancestry — my maiden Hungarian name means “German.”
At any rate, when we moved to southwest Ohio, just east of Cincinnati, I encountered some German surnames (or what I think are German) most of which were new to me. The most fun are those with three or more syllables, or lots of consonants strung together. Following are some of the names, and my attempt to give their meaning, if possible. If there’s anyone reading this who knows a better meaning than given, please correct me.
Baumheckel — Tree heckel
Dinkleacker — Spelt field
Ehrnschwender — Honor Schwender — wins the prize for most consonants in a row
Flottemesch — Fleet Human ??? — could it be sailor?
Lehmankuler — ???
Roderscheimer — from Roderscheim
Rothenhoefer — ???
Showalter — ???
Sorflaten — May be Swedish — The Surface ???
Okay, I didn’t do too well on those translations! If anyone can help, please comment.
