90 Cool Jewish Last Names
Jewish surnames offer a captivating glimpse into history, culture, and tradition. These names have roots in many languages and influences; Hebrew, Yiddish, German, Russian, and others.
And they tell tales of faith, geography, and family heritage. Jewish last names often come from jobs, places personal qualities, or Bible references.
They have deep meaning and are tied to customs that go back hundreds of years. This post aims to look into where Jewish surnames come from, what they mean, and what makes them special.
We’ll uncover the rich mix of identities these names stand for. Let’s dig into the stories behind these long-lasting names.
Jewish Last Names
Abramson – Son of Abram (a variant of Abraham, meaning “father of multitudes”).
Adler – Eagle; symbol of strength and freedom.
Aronson – Son of Aron (Hebrew for “mountain of strength”).
Baum – Tree; symbolizing growth and stability.
Baruch – Blessed or fortunate.
Becker – Baker; an occupational name.
Bernstein – Amber; often symbolic of purity or clarity.
Blum – Flower; associated with beauty and life.
Cohen – Priest; one of the most common Jewish surnames, denoting descent from the priestly caste.
Dreyfus – Derived from the town of Trier, Germany.
Edelman – Noble or refined person.
Eisen – Iron; symbolizing strength and resilience.
Epstein – From the town of Eppstein in Germany.
Feldman – Man of the field; possibly an agricultural reference.
Fischer – Fisherman; an occupational surname.
Frankel – Free man; associated with liberty.
Freedman – A freed individual or former servant.
Geller – Yellow; sometimes referring to blond hair or a goldsmith.
Glaser – Glassmaker; a traditional occupation.
Goldberg – Gold mountain; often linked to wealth or prosperity.
Goldman – Goldsmith or one who trades in gold.
Greenberg – Green mountain; associated with nature or a specific region.
Grossman – Large man; may refer to physical stature or importance.
Hersh – Deer; a symbol of grace and gentleness.
Hirsch – Stag or deer; often used in Ashkenazi communities.
Horowitz – From the town of Horovice in Bohemia.
Jacobs – Descendant of Jacob (meaning “supplanter”).
Kagan – Variant of Cohen; denoting priestly lineage.
Kaplan – Chaplain or cantor; related to religious roles.
Katz – Acronym for “Kohen Tzedek” (righteous priest).
Kaufman – Merchant or trader.
Klein – Small; possibly describing stature or younger family members.
Kopelman – Head or leader of a group.
Krauss – Curly; may describe hair texture.
Levine – Descendant of Levi, one of the 12 tribes of Israel.
Lieberman – Beloved man; connotes affection or importance.
Mandelbaum – Almond tree; symbolizing prosperity and renewal.
Margolis – Pearl; often signifying purity or value.
Meir – Illuminated or enlightened.
Mizrahi – Eastern; referring to Middle Eastern origins.
Neuman – New man; a fresh start or new arrival.
Oppenheimer – From the town of Oppenheim in Germany.
Perelman – Pear tree; linked to fertility or abundance.
Rosenberg – Rose mountain; beauty and strength combined.
Rothschild – Red shield; originally a house sign in Frankfurt.
Schneider – Tailor; an occupational surname.
Shapiro – From the town of Speyer in Germany.
Silverman – Silversmith or one associated with silver.
Stein – Stone; symbolizing permanence and reliability.
Weiss – White; possibly referring to complexion or purity.
Abeles – Derived from Abel, meaning breath or vanity.
Altman – Old man; possibly denoting respect or seniority.
Auslander – Foreigner or outsider.
Bachar – Young man or chosen one.
Barenbaum – Bear tree; a combination of strength and growth.
Barenholtz – Bear wood; symbolizing resilience.
Barkan – Lightning or spark; denotes energy or brightness.
Bauer – Farmer; an occupational surname.
Ben-Zion – Son of Zion; referring to the holy land.
Brodsky – From Brody, a city in Ukraine.
Burstein – Rock or stone fortress; symbol of strength.
Carlebach – Cold brook; from a geographic feature.
Charutz – Industrious or diligent.
Chazan – Cantor or leader of prayers in a synagogue.
Cohn – Variant of Cohen, meaning priest.
Deutsch – German; referring to German origins.
Domb – Derived from the German word for cathedral or church.
Drucker – Printer; an occupational surname.
Efron – Lark or small bird; a symbol of freedom.
Feinberg – Fine or beautiful hill or mountain.
Feuerstein – Flintstone; associated with fire or strength.
Fleischer – Butcher; an occupational name.
Friedlander – From Friedland, a place of peace.
Geffen – Vine; symbolizing growth and vitality.
Ginzburg – From Gąbin or Gumbinnen, places in Eastern Europe.
Gitlin – Good or kind; a Yiddish-derived name.
Glassman – Glassblower or merchant.
Goldfarb – Gold color; associated with wealth or brightness.
Goldstein – Gold stone; symbolizing value and permanence.
Halperin – From the town of Heilbronn in Germany.
Handelman – Merchant or trader.
Hartman – Strong or brave man.
Hochberg – High mountain or hill.
Isaacs – Son of Isaac (meaning laughter).
Jaffe – Beautiful; denotes physical or inner beauty.
Kestenbaum – Chestnut tree; symbolizing endurance.
Kirsch – Cherry; associated with sweetness or vitality.
Kornfeld – Cornfield; tied to agriculture and prosperity.
Kremer – Shopkeeper or grocer.
Leibowitz – Son of Leib (lion, symbolizing courage).
Lipschutz – Protective or guarding lips; often associated with vigilance.
Malach – Angel or messenger.
Mintz – From Mainz, a city in Germany.
Nachman – Comforter or consoler.
Orenstein – Pine stone; symbolizing strength and nature.
Pomerantz – From Pomerania, a region in Central Europe.
Rabinowitz – Son of a rabbi; associated with religious leadership.
Schechter – Ritual slaughterer; an occupational name.
Segal – Acronym for “Segan Leviyah,” assistant to the Levites.
Tenenbaum – Fir tree; symbolizing resilience and longevity.
