Surname Fürrer - Meaning and Origin
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Fürrer: What does the surname Fürrer mean?
The surname Fürrer is a German name derived from the word “Fürrer”, which has origins in the High German language and can mean leader, commander, or chieftain. This suggests that the name may have been originally given to a leader within a Germanic society or a member of the aristocracy. The name is particularly associated with Silesia in southwestern Poland, where it is one of the most common family names.
The earliest occurrence of the name comes from 17th century Silesia, when the “Fürrer” family is recorded as settling there. It is unclear in which country the family originated, but it is likely that they originated elsewhere in Europe and later moved to Silesia. In modern-day Germany, the name is primarily found in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as the former East Prussia.
The name Fürrer is also found as an occupational surname in some regions, referring to a type of bailiff, who was in charge of administering manorial landholdings and collecting taxes. This could indicate that the surname was originally given to someone with this position or that the name was taken on by someone wishing to denote their shielding, authoritative role.
Today, Fürrer is a common surname, found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and nearby countries. It is shared by many notable people, including Swiss footballer Albert Fürrer.
Order DNA origin analysisFürrer: Where does the name Fürrer come from?
Fürrer is a common last name primarily found around the German-speaking region in Europe. In Germany, it is the 9119th most common surname according to a recent census, making it relatively rare. It is also present in other surrounding countries such as Austria and Switzerland. In Austria, it ranks as the 1102nd most popular surname, while it is the 3035th most common in Switzerland. It is also quite popular in France, where it ranks as the 6141st most common surname.
Fürrer can be traced back to a number of regions in the German-speaking countries, notably areas of central Germany and Northern Switzerland. It first appears in records dating the 11th and 12th century in southern Germany and Austria. A few scattered records can be found up to as early as the 7th century in the form of 'Firorius', the Latinised form of the name.
The original meaning of Fürrer is believed to be 'shepherd', in particular the sheepherder. Many Fürrer families living in the same area have been identified as having links to sheepherding and farming. Thus, the name became a reflection of the profession of the family.
Overall, Fürrer remains a common surname today, especially in the German-speaking countries and areas of France. While it is not especially abundant today, it is still widely dispersed across Europe. Interestingly, during the 20th century many members of the Fürrer family migrated to the United States, particularly in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Colorado. Thus, Fürrer has now spread to other parts of the world as well.
Variations of the surname Fürrer
The surname Fürrer is a German surname that can be spelled as "Fuerrer", "Fuerer", "Furrer", "Furrer", and "Fuerrer". Other variants of this name include "Fuererr", "Furrerr", "Fuererre", and "Furrerre".
The Fürrer surname is derived from the Middle High German term "vürre", which means "moor" or "swamp". The name was likely originally given to individuals who lived near a moor or swamp. This surname may also refer to those who came from a place named "Fuerres" located in Germany.
The Fürrer surname is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Czechia. It is also found in other parts of Europe, including France and Poland. In the United States, the Fürrer surname is most prevalent in the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Texas, and Pennsylvania.
The variants of the Fürrer surname, such as "Fuerer", "Furrer", and "Fuerrer", are usually pronounced the same way. Other surnames with a similar origin and spelling include "Fierer", "Vierer", and "Schreier". These variations of the Fürrer surname are often found in both Europe and the United States.
In summary, the surname Fürrer can be spelled and pronounced in multiple ways, including "Fuerer", "Furrer", and "Fuerrer". This surname is derived from the Middle High German term for "moor" or "swamp", and is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Czechia, as well as other parts of Europe and the United States. Variants of the surname include "Fuerer" and "Fuerrer", as well as "Fierer", "Vierer", and "Schreier".
Famous people with the name Fürrer
- Ernst Fürrer: Swiss businessman, founder of the large industrial textile company Forster Rohner AG.
- Ueli Fürrer: Swiss composer, conductor and film score creator.
- Josef Fürrer: Austrian basketball coach and Olympic silver medalist.
- Johann Fürrer: Swiss portrait painter who also provided paintings for churches in the Alsace region of France.
- Tilmann Fürrer: German physicist born in Stuttgart who is known for his research in nuclear physics.
- Urs Fürrer: Swiss sports expert and television commentator.
- Reinhard Fürrer: German painter and graphic designer who is known for his post-war Berlin artwork.
- Ernst Fürrer: German army officer and recipient of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross.
- Jakob Fürrer: Swiss judge and politician who served as a member of the National Council of Switzerland.
- Paul Fürrer: Swiss military officer and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.