100 Common Ashkenazi Jewish Last Names

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

Ashkenazi Jewish Last Names
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.

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