Henry Kissinger (1923- ) - German-born former U.S. Secretary of State (1973-1977) and Nobel Peace Prize laureate
Heinz Alfred Kissinger's name is a place name meaning "a person from Bad Kissingen," a famous spa resort town in Franconian Bavaria. Kissinger's 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, actress
Ironically, 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, Klum's 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 composer
Baptized 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 designer
The 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. For the correct way to pronounce this name, see How Do You Say 'Porsche'?.
Maria Schell (1926-2005) - Austrian-Swiss film actress
Maximilian Schell (1930 - ) - Austrian-Swiss film actor
Another 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, actress
One of Claudia's ancestors was probably a sailor or ship's captain (der Schiffer, skipper).
Oskar Schindler (1908-1974) - German factory owner of Schindler's list fame
From the profession of Schindelhauer (shingle maker).
Arnold Schwarzenegger (1947- ) - Austrian-born actor, director, politician
Not only is the former bodybuilder's name a bit long and unusual, it is often misunderstood. Arnold's 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). Also see: Bio: Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Til Schweiger (1963- ) - German screen star, director, producer
Although it seems related to schweigen (to be silent), the actor's 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 "Tarzan"
Another occupational name: wheat miller (der Weizen / Weisz + der Müller / Mueller). Although he always claimed he was born in Pennsylvania, Weissmuller was actualy born to Austrian parents in what is now Rumania. More: German-Hollywood Connection.
Ruth Westheimer ("Dr. Ruth") (1928- ) - German-born sex therapist
Born in Frankfurt am Main as Karola Ruth Siegel (das Siegel, stamp, seal), Dr. Ruth's last name (from her late husband Manfred Westheimer) means "at home / living in the west" (der West + heim).
BACK > Part 1: Konrad Adenauer - Günter Grass
Books on German Family Names (in German)
Professor Udolphs Buch der Namen - Woher sie kommen, was sie bedeuten
Jürgen Udolph, Goldmann, paper - ISBN: 978-3442154289
Duden - Familiennamen: Herkunft und Bedeutung von 20 000 Nachnamen
Rosa and Volker Kohlheim
Bibliographisches Institut, Mannheim, paper - ISBN: 978-3411708529
Das große Buch der Familiennamen
Horst Naumann
Bassermann, 2007, paper - ISBN: 978-3809421856
MORE > Germanic Surnames
MORE > Famous Germans
Heinz Alfred Kissinger's name is a place name meaning "a person from Bad Kissingen," a famous spa resort town in Franconian Bavaria. Kissinger's 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, actress
Ironically, 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, Klum's 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 composer
Baptized 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 designer
The 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. For the correct way to pronounce this name, see How Do You Say 'Porsche'?.
Maria Schell (1926-2005) - Austrian-Swiss film actress
Maximilian Schell (1930 - ) - Austrian-Swiss film actor
Another 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, actress
One of Claudia's ancestors was probably a sailor or ship's captain (der Schiffer, skipper).
Oskar Schindler (1908-1974) - German factory owner of Schindler's list fame
From the profession of Schindelhauer (shingle maker).
Arnold Schwarzenegger (1947- ) - Austrian-born actor, director, politician
Not only is the former bodybuilder's name a bit long and unusual, it is often misunderstood. Arnold's 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). Also see: Bio: Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Til Schweiger (1963- ) - German screen star, director, producer
Although it seems related to schweigen (to be silent), the actor's 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 "Tarzan"
Another occupational name: wheat miller (der Weizen / Weisz + der Müller / Mueller). Although he always claimed he was born in Pennsylvania, Weissmuller was actualy born to Austrian parents in what is now Rumania. More: German-Hollywood Connection.
Ruth Westheimer ("Dr. Ruth") (1928- ) - German-born sex therapist
Born in Frankfurt am Main as Karola Ruth Siegel (das Siegel, stamp, seal), Dr. Ruth's last name (from her late husband Manfred Westheimer) means "at home / living in the west" (der West + heim).
BACK > Part 1: Konrad Adenauer - Günter Grass
Books on German Family Names (in German)
Professor Udolphs Buch der Namen - Woher sie kommen, was sie bedeuten
Jürgen Udolph, Goldmann, paper - ISBN: 978-3442154289
Duden - Familiennamen: Herkunft und Bedeutung von 20 000 Nachnamen
Rosa and Volker Kohlheim
Bibliographisches Institut, Mannheim, paper - ISBN: 978-3411708529
Das große Buch der Familiennamen
Horst Naumann
Bassermann, 2007, paper - ISBN: 978-3809421856
MORE > Germanic Surnames
MORE > Famous Germans