Surname Ungefehr - Meaning and Origin
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Ungefehr: What does the surname Ungefehr mean?
The last name Ungefehr is a German surname and is considered rare today. It is a variation of the Middle High German surname Ungevarer. The name is derived from the occupational surname of a “shoemaker”, encompassing the two Middle High German words, “unge” meaning “with” and “varer” meaning “a needle”. Thus, together the words “ungevarer” translate to “with a needle” and referred to an individual who worked with leather and other materials using a needle and thread.
The origin of the surname can be traced back to a number of individuals living in the city of Rotweil, located in the Black Forest in what is now Germany, in the 1300s. Records reveal that the family was among the first to inhabit the city. Documentary evidence from the 1320s shows Johannes Ungevarer was among the first to use the surname.
Today, this rare surname, and its variations, can be found in many countries around the world with Germany having the highest concentration. Emigration of these individuals led to the establishment of Ungefehrs in other parts of Europe, notably France and USA. It is also believed the large influx of Jewish immigrants to America during the late 19th and 20th century also brought the surname Ungefehr to the US.
In summary, the surname Ungefehr is a rare German surname which is derived from the Middle High German term “ungevarer” meaning one who works with a needle. It is believed to have originated in the 1300s with the city of Rotweil in what is now Germany being the earliest known inhabitants of the surname. Today, the surname is found in many countries around the world with Germany, France, and the USA having the largest concentration of individuals with this surname.
Order DNA origin analysisUngefehr: Where does the name Ungefehr come from?
The surname Ungefehr is most commonly found in the United States. It is typically associated with German and Teutonic ancestry, although the exact history of its origin remains unknown. The Ungefehr surname was first recorded in the Eschwege region of Hesse, probably prior to the 1600s. It is likely that the first Ungefehrs to settle in the US arrived during the 19th century, when a wave of German emigration took place.
Today, Ungefehr is fairly common across the United States. A number of Ungefehr households can be found in Texas, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio, as well as Wisconsin. According to the 2000 US Census, there are over 800 individuals with the Ungefehr surname in the US.
The Ungefehr surname can also be found in Germany, where it is mainly located in the northern part of the country. Most notably, there are Ungefehrs in the Dresden, Saxony, and Thuringia areas. Furthermore, Ungefehr households have been recorded in places as far as Poland and Russia, where they may have come from originally.
Overall, the Ungefehr surname can be found in the United States and many parts of Europe, reflecting its German heritage. While the exact origin remains a mystery, the Ungefehr surname has been an integral part of cultures throughout the world.
Variations of the surname Ungefehr
The surname Ungefehr originates from northern Germany, most likely from the regions near Hamburg. The variants of Ungefehr include Ungefahr, Ungefähr, Ungefehrt, Ungeferer, Ungeffer, Oonkfahr, Oonkeimer, Engefehr, Ungenfehr, Ongenfehr and Ongefehrt.
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin can be traced back to the old German name of Ungefahr, which means danger or peril. This could be a reference to danger from the river or in the times of wars. Other spellings and a different origin could refer to a person from the Ungefahr region, a soldier who stayed in the area or a settler from the region.
For many centuries, the spelling of German surnames has changed significantly from place to place due to regional dialects and different phonetic pronunciations. Ungefehr is a common surname in Germany and can be found in many regions of the country. It is likely that Ungefehr is closely related to the names Ungefahr, Engefehr and Ongenfehr.
Ungefehr is also found as a German-American surname in the United States. The surname is most common in Missouri, Texas and Florida. Other German-American families named Ungefehr emigrated from other European countries, such as Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Oonkeimer, Oonkfahr and Ungeffer are variants of Ungefehr found in European countries.
Given the number of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, it's likely that the name Ungefehr originated centuries ago and has evolved in various forms throughout the world.
Famous people with the name Ungefehr
- Another Life star Alexander Ungefehr
- Film director and Writer Jochen Ungefehr
- German actor Jeann-Claude Ungefehr
- German actress Susen Ungefehr
- German painter and graphic artist Uwe Ungefehr
- Writer Volker Ungefehr
- Soccer player Christian Ungefehr
- Managing director Peter Ungefehr
- Audio engineer Jens Ungefehr
- Electronic music producer Henrick Ungefehr
- Swedish Glass artist Mattias Ungefehr
- German TV editor and producer Janina Ungefehr
- Norwegian jazz musician and composer Ellen Ungefehr
- UK-based Musician Maxine Ungefehr
- Comedian and writer Helmut Ungefehr
- German actor Uwe Ungefehr
- German singer/songwriter Jan-Peter Ungefehr
- Soccer player Nadine Ungefehr
- German footballer Kai Ungefehr
- Visual artist Victor Ungefehr
- Soccer player Dirk Ungefehr
- Norwegian singer/songwriter, actor and musician Kåre Ungefehr
- German actor, director and playwright Marcus Ungefehr