Ashkenazi Jewish last names have a rich history that traces back to Jews who settled in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in regions like Germany, Poland, and Russia. The term “Ashkenazi” itself originates from “Ashkenaz,” a medieval Hebrew term for Germany. After centuries of migration, persecution, and community development, many Ashkenazi Jews adopted surnames that reflect their unique cultural heritage, professions, and geographical origins.
Historically, these last names often emerged in the late 18th and early 19th centuries when governments in Europe began to require Jews to adopt fixed surnames. Many surnames were derived from occupations (like “Schmidt” for “smith”), personal characteristics (like “Gross” for “big”), or locations (like “Berg” for “mountain”). Additionally, some names are derived from Hebrew words or biblical figures. Exploring Ashkenazi surnames provides insight into the diverse and vibrant traditions of the Ashkenazi Jewish community.
In this blog, we explore 100 common Ashkenazi Jewish last names, each with its own story and significance. These surnames, often passed down through generations, reflect the diverse and complex history of Ashkenazi Jews.
Ashkenazi Jewish Last Names
List of 100 Ashkenazi Jewish Last Names With Meanings
1. Abramowitz
Abramowitz means “son of Abram” and is common among Eastern European Jews, reflecting a connection to the biblical Abraham.
2. Adler
Adler means “eagle” in German, symbolizing strength. It is common among Ashkenazi Jews from Central Europe.
3. Aizenberg
Aizenberg combines “Aizen” (iron) and “berg” (mountain) from German, often indicating strength or resilience.
4. Alper
Alper is derived from the Yiddish word “alpe,” meaning Alps, and often denotes a geographic origin.
5. Auerbach
Auerbach is a toponymic name referring to a location in Germany, common among Jews from Central Europe.
6. Baker
Baker, meaning “baker,” is an occupational surname for those involved in bread-making.
7. Barenboim
Barenboim, meaning “bear tree” in German, was often adopted by Jews in German-speaking regions.
8. Barkin
Barkin is a patronymic name that likely means “son of Baruch,” a common Hebrew name meaning “blessed.”
9. Berg
Berg is a German word for “mountain,” often used as a toponymic surname by Jews from mountainous regions.
10. Berkowitz
Berkowitz means “son of Berko,” a Yiddish diminutive of the Hebrew name Baruch, meaning “blessed.”
11. Blumenfeld
Blumenfeld is a combination of the German words for “flower” and “field,” used by Jewish families in agricultural areas.
12. Boruch
Boruch is a Hebrew-derived surname meaning “blessed,” commonly used by Ashkenazi Jews.
13. Bronstein
Bronstein combines “bron” (brown) and “stein” (stone), a surname reflecting earthy or mineral origins.
14. Cohen
Cohen is a Hebrew surname meaning “priest,” signifying descent from the ancient Jewish priesthood.
15. Danziger
Danziger is a toponymic name for someone from Danzig (now Gdańsk, Poland), a historically Jewish area.
16. Dorfman
Dorfman means “village man” in German, often denoting someone from a small rural community.
17. Edelman
Edelman means “nobleman” in German, a surname indicating distinction or nobility.
18. Eisenberg
Eisenberg means “iron mountain” in German, reflecting strength or a connection to iron mining areas.
19. Epstein
Epstein is a toponymic name from the town of Eppstein in Germany, commonly adopted by Jews from that region.
20. Feldman
Feldman is an occupational or toponymic name meaning “field man,” often associated with farmers or rural origins.
21. Feinberg
Feinberg means “fine mountain” in German, symbolizing refinement or excellence.
22. Finkelstein
Finkelstein means “spark stone” in German and Yiddish, a surname denoting someone who works with metals.
23. Freedman
Freedman is an occupational name for someone who is a man of freedom or a former servant.
24. Friedman
Friedman is derived from the German words “fried” (peace) and “man,” meaning “man of peace.”
25. Galperin
Galperin is a surname from Galicia, often representing people from that region of Eastern Europe.
26. Geller
Geller is a Yiddish name meaning “yeller” or “blond,” often used to describe someone with fair hair.
27. Gershon
Gershon is a biblical name derived from the Hebrew name “Gershom,” one of the sons of Levi.
28. Ginsberg
Ginsberg is a toponymic name meaning “hill of the elder tree” in German, common among Jews from Germany.
29. Glick
Glick means “luck” or “fortune” in Yiddish, often given to families as a symbol of good fortune.
30. Gluck
Gluck is a Yiddish and German surname meaning “luck,” often used by Jewish families for good fortune.
31. Gold
Gold is derived from the precious metal and used as a surname symbolizing wealth or success.
32. Goldberg
Goldberg combines “gold” and “berg” (mountain), referring to a place rich in gold or wealth.
33. Goldman
Goldman is a surname meaning “man of gold,” symbolizing wealth or someone who worked with gold.
34. Goldstein
Goldstein is derived from “gold” and “stone,” often symbolizing wealth or connection to the jewelry trade.
35. Greenberg
Greenberg combines “green” and “berg” (mountain), representing someone from a green or lush area.
36. Grunfeld
Grunfeld is a toponymic name meaning “green field,” often given to families living in agricultural areas.
37. Gurevich
Gurevich is a Slavic-Jewish surname meaning “son of Gur,” which is derived from the Hebrew word for “lion.”
38. Halperin
Halperin is a surname originating from the town of Heilbronn in Germany, common among Ashkenazi Jews.
39. Hirsch
Hirsch is a Yiddish and German word for “deer,” often given to families as a symbol of agility or grace.
40. Horowitz
Horowitz is a toponymic name from the town of Horovice in the Czech Republic, adopted by Ashkenazi Jews.
41. Jacobs
Jacobs is a patronymic name meaning “son of Jacob,” derived from the biblical figure Jacob, a patriarch in Jewish history.
42. Kagan
Kagan is derived from “kohen,” meaning “priest” in Hebrew, and is often associated with descendants of the Jewish priestly class.
43. Kaplan
Kaplan is a surname meaning “chaplain” in German, often associated with someone who held a religious position.
44. Katz
Katz is an acronym for “Kohen Tzedek,” meaning “priest of righteousness,” used by descendants of the priestly class.
45. Klein
Klein is a German surname meaning “small,” often used to describe someone of small stature or humility.
46. Krause
Krause is a German surname meaning “curly,” often referring to someone with curly hair.
47. Kramer
Kramer is an occupational surname meaning “merchant” or “shopkeeper” in German.
48. Krieger
Krieger is a German surname meaning “warrior,” often symbolizing strength or valor.
49. Lasky
Lasky is a Polish-Jewish surname derived from the Hebrew word “lask,” meaning “charm” or “grace.”
50. Leibowitz
Leibowitz means “son of Leib,” a Yiddish name derived from the Hebrew word for “lion.”
51. Levin
Levin is a patronymic surname meaning “son of Levi,” referencing the Levites, a tribe in Israel.
52. Levinson
Levinson means “son of Levin,” a common variation of the surname Levi, indicating Levite descent.
53. Levy
Levy is one of the most common Jewish surnames, meaning “joined” or “attached,” associated with the Levite tribe.
54. Lieberman
Lieberman is a Yiddish surname meaning “beloved man,” symbolizing affection or esteem.
55. Lipman
Lipman is a Yiddish surname derived from “Liebermann,” meaning “dear man” or “beloved man.”
56. Lipschitz
Lipschitz is a toponymic surname from the town of Lübz in Germany, common among Ashkenazi Jews.
57. Margolis
Margolis is a Hebrew surname meaning “pearl,” symbolizing beauty or value.
58. Markowitz
Markowitz means “son of Mordecai,” a Hebrew name referencing the biblical figure in the story of Purim.
59. Mayer
Mayer is a Yiddish and German surname meaning “farmer” or “landholder,” often used in agricultural communities.
60. Mendelsohn
Mendelsohn means “son of Mendel,” a diminutive of the Hebrew name Menachem, meaning “comforter.”
61. Miller
Miller is an occupational surname meaning “grain miller,” reflecting work in the milling trade.
62. Mintz
Mintz is a toponymic name derived from Mainz, Germany, often adopted by Ashkenazi Jews from that region.
63. Moskowitz
Moskowitz means “son of Moshe,” referencing Moses, the great leader of the Israelites.
64. Nachman
Nachman is a Hebrew name meaning “comforter,” often used by Jewish families to signify solace.
65. Nadelman
Nadelman is derived from the German word “nadel” (needle), reflecting a trade in textiles or sewing.
66. Neuman
Neuman is a German surname meaning “new man,” often adopted by converts or new members of a community.
67. Orenstein
Orenstein is derived from the Hebrew word “oren,” meaning “pine tree,” symbolizing strength and endurance.
68. Perlman
Perlman is a Yiddish surname meaning “pearl man,” reflecting the trade of jewelry or precious gems.
69. Posner
Posner is a toponymic surname for someone from Poznań, Poland, a historically significant Jewish area.
70. Rabinowitz
Rabinowitz means “son of a rabbi,” indicating a familial connection to religious leadership.
71. Rappaport
Rappaport is a toponymic name from the town of Porto, Italy, often associated with Italian Jewish families.
72. Reich
Reich is a German surname meaning “rich” or “wealthy,” often indicating financial success.
73. Rosen
Rosen means “rose” in German and Yiddish, symbolizing beauty or grace.
74. Rosenbaum
Rosenbaum means “rose tree” in German, a name often associated with Jewish families from Central Europe.
75. Rosenberg
Rosenberg combines “rose” and “mountain,” symbolizing beauty and strength, common among Ashkenazi Jews.
76. Roth
Roth is a German surname meaning “red,” often referring to someone with red hair.
77. Rubin
Rubin is derived from the Hebrew word for “ruby,” symbolizing beauty and value.
78. Sachs
Sachs is a toponymic name for someone from Saxony, a region in Germany with a significant Jewish population.
79. Samuels
Samuels is a patronymic name meaning “son of Samuel,” derived from the Hebrew prophet Samuel.
80. Saperstein
Saperstein means “soap stone” in German, likely referring to a trade in stonework or minerals.
81. Schapiro
Schapiro is a toponymic surname for someone from Speyer, a city in Germany with a prominent Jewish community.
82. Schneider
Schneider is an occupational surname meaning “tailor” in German, reflecting a trade in clothing.
83. Schulman
Schulman means “man of the school,” often referring to someone connected to religious education.
84. Schuster
Schuster is a German surname meaning “shoemaker,” reflecting work in the cobbling trade.
85. Schwartz
Schwartz is a German surname meaning “black,” often used to describe someone with dark features.
86. Segal
Segal is an acronym for “Segan Leviyah,” meaning “assistant to the Levites,” indicating a religious function.
87. Shapiro
Shapiro is a toponymic surname from the town of Speyer, Germany, often adopted by Ashkenazi Jews.
88. Silver
Silver is a surname representing the precious metal, symbolizing value and wealth.
89. Silverman
Silverman means “man of silver,” often associated with the trade in precious metals or jewelry.
90. Singer
Singer is an occupational surname for someone who was a cantor or singer in religious ceremonies.
91. Stein
Stein means “stone” in German, a common surname for Jews involved in masonry or stonework.
92. Teitelbaum
Teitelbaum means “date palm tree” in Yiddish, symbolizing fertility and endurance.
93. Weinberg
Weinberg combines “wine” and “mountain” in German, often representing someone who worked in vineyards.
94. Weiner
Weiner is derived from “wein,” meaning wine, and often refers to a vintner or someone involved in winemaking.
95. Weiss
Weiss means “white” in German, often describing someone with fair features or representing purity.
96. Wexler
Wexler is an occupational surname meaning “money changer,” indicating involvement in finance.
97. Wolf
Wolf is a Yiddish and German surname symbolizing fierceness or strength, derived from the animal.
98. Zelman
Zelman is a Slavic-Jewish surname meaning “son of Zalman,” a Yiddish form of Solomon.
99. Zimmerman
Zimmerman is a German occupational surname meaning “carpenter,” often used by Jews in building trades.
100. Zuckerman
Zuckerman means “sugar man” in German, reflecting a trade in sugar or sweets.
