Surname Lauterborn - Meaning and Origin
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Lauterborn: What does the surname Lauterborn mean?
The surname Lauterborn is of German origin and is believed to originate from the Lower Saxon region of northern Germany. It is likely the name derived from a combination of two Old German words, laufer (a runner or messenger) and bern (bear). Therefore, the name Lauterborn means “runner-bear.”
The earliest known record of this surname is Henricus Lauttenborn, who was a citizen of the city of Berlin in 1230. Since then, the surname has been adopted by a number of different families throughout Germany and Europe who all share a common ancestry.
The surname Lauterborn is found throughout the western world, mainly in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and the United States of America. In the US most of the earliest descendants of the Lauterborns are believed to have arrived in the late 1700s and early 1800s from Germany.
The exact meaning of the name Lauterborn remains unknown, however, it’s clear that the surname is of German origin and has been adopted by people who share a common ancestry. For centuries, Lauterborns have been associated with various professions such as farmers, merchants, soldiers, musicians and the like. They have left their unique mark in history in multiple places around Germany and beyond.
Order DNA origin analysisLauterborn: Where does the name Lauterborn come from?
The last name Lauterborn is predominantly found in Germany today. It is also relatively common in Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
The name has its roots in Germany, although, its exact origin is unknown. Records of the name date back to the 1500s, where it was quite often found in Medieval German records. Some of these records show that the name was used for both families and first names.
In Germany, the name Lauterborn is mainly used in the regions of Rhineland-Palatinate and Bavaria, where it has been a traditional surname for centuries. It is also found in central and eastern Germany, although less frequently.
Outside of Germany, the surname exists in the Netherlands, Austria, and Switzerland, and there are records of individuals of the name in the United States.
Overall, the surname has a long history and is still used in many German-speaking countries. In America, it is much less common but still exists in some areas.
Variations of the surname Lauterborn
Variant spellings and surnames of the same origin as Lauterborn include:
Lauterbur, Lauterbohr, Lauterbörn, Lauterent, Lauterente, Lauterort, Lauterkopp, Lautenbach, Lauternbach, Lauterborn, Lauterbornn, Lautermann, Lauterbarg, Lauterwasser, Lauterpohl, Lauterjahn, Lauterkuhl, Lauterberg, Lauterhausen, Lauterhühler, Lauterman, Lauterwold, Lauterbach, Lautemann, Lautern, Lautersheim, and Lautermaier.
The etymology of the surname is derived from the Middle High German word luter "shy, timid, gentle" and the Old High German bero "bear". Therefore, persons with this surname were likely named for gentle or timid bears.
The surname Lauterborn first arose in Germany. Records of the surname Lauterborn appear in many German parish registers and church books of the 1500s, 1600s, and 1700s. Birth, baptism, marriage, death and burial records include persons named Lauterborn, Lauterburg, Lauterpohl, and other variant spellings.
The surname Lauterborn spread to other countries as German immigrants left their homeland to seek a new life. People bearing this surname settled in several countries including the United States, Canada, England, and Australia, as well as other countries in the 1800s and early 1900s.
Though the original meaning of the surname is obscure, today the family name of Lauterborn brings a sense of pride and joy to all its members. As descendants of persons that braved a new life in a strange land, the name of Lauterborn will be remembered for generations to come.
Famous people with the name Lauterborn
- Gretchen Lauterborn: artist
- Nick Lauterborn: professional football player
- Katy Lauterborn: professional tennis player
- Dick Lauterborn: Olympic swimmer
- Werner Lauterborn: opera singer/songwriter
- Wolfgang Lauterborn: classical composer
- Sarah Lauterborn: actress
- Rob Lauterborn: professional skier
- Fred Lauterborn: chef and restaurateur
- Anna Lauterborn: author and editor