Surname Lutheran - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'L'
Lutheran: What does the surname Lutheran mean?
Lutheran is a surname deriving from the German language and is a reference to the Protestant Reformation and Protestantism, both of which were founded by Martin Luther. It was common during the 16th and 17th centuries for people who had converted to Protestantism to take Luther's name as their own as a marker of their religious identity. The surname Luther is a patronymic naming convention, referring to the son of Luther, so the surname Lutheran would mean the son of Luther.
Today, Lutheran is an occupational surname, meaning that it is most often associated with people who work in the Christian faith. Lutheran has often been used to differentiate between members of different branches of Protestantism, although this distinction is becoming less common as more "mainline" Protestant denominations merge.
The name Lutheran is ultimately derived from the Latin and Greek languages; in Greek, it can be traced back to the root 'luthens', which means "belonging to the people." This name would have been used by people who identified as Lutherans or were descendants of Lutherans.
The Lutheran faith is one of the most diverse and widespread denominations out there, and Lutherans exist in a variety of forms throughout the world. A person who carries a surname such as Lutheran likely has a closely maintained connection to the Protestant Reformation and to the teachings of Martin Luther that remain at the core of the Christian faith.
Order DNA origin analysisLutheran: Where does the name Lutheran come from?
The last name Lutheran is most commonly found in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. It is also found in other European countries, particularly the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Poland, and Scandinavia, as well as in the United States and Canada. As a result of immigration, the surname Lutheran is now also common in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
The word Lutheran is derived from the Latin for ‘belonging to the people of God’, originating from Luther, the founder of Protestantism. He is widely credited with being the father of the Protestant Reformation, and it is thanks to him that the Christian faith spread throughout Europe and other areas of the world.
Lutheran churches, which still practise today, were named in honor of Luther and his teachings. They represent a Protestant branch of Christianity, in which believers adhere to Scriptural teachings but do not adhere to the authority of a higher papal power.
Hence, it is not surprising that the Lutheran surname is still widely found today, as it has been historically present in so many countries for so long, and is a fitting tribute to Luther and his influence on Christianity and the world.
Variations of the surname Lutheran
The Lutheran surname has several variations, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Lauter, Lauterbach, Lauterer, Lauterberger, Lauterboch, Lauterborn, Lauters, Lauterwald, Lauterwasser, Lauterwein, Lautz, Louter, Lutter, Lutterer and Luttermann.
Lutheran is a patronymic surname of German origin, derived from the surname of Martin Luther. Martin Luther was a German priest and theologian who was a major figure in the Protestant Reformation. The name “Luther” means “spearman” in German and is derived from the word luth, meaning “spear.”
Variations of the Lutheran surname can also be found in other Germanic countries, such as Austria, Luxembourg and Switzerland. In some cases, the surname was adopted by immigrants who arrived in the United States or Canada from these countries.
The variations of the Lutheran surname may also be spelled Lauter, which is a variation of the German spelling of the surname, or Lutter, which is derived from the Low German form of the name.
The surname can also be found in several spellings related to the Dutch language, such as Louter, Luters and Luter. Additionally, the surname may be found spelled Leuther or Luthar in some records.
In the United States, the variants of the Lutheran surname occur most frequently in the Midwest regions, especially in the states of Wisconsin and Iowa. They may also be found in the states of Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Famous people with the name Lutheran
- Jimmy Luther: American actor, singer, and songwriter.
- Gary Thomas Luther: renowned African-American political activist.
- David Rolfe Luther: American professional golfer.
- Bonnie L. Luther: American writer and scholar.
- Dr. Don A. Lutgens: former president of the International Lutheran Laymen’s League.
- Harry Luther Osborne: American Major League Baseball player.
- Rev. Samuel H. Luther: founder of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
- Friedrich Lutter: Austrian theologian and patristic scholar.
- Lorenzo Luter: a lawyer and 19th century Texas State legislator.
- Paul Luter III: American artist and arts activist.