Surname Degendorf - Meaning and Origin

Degendorf: What does the surname Degendorf mean?

The last name Degendorf is of German origin, most typically found in Bavaria, and is derived from the old Germanic personal name Degan, which translates to 'fighter' or 'warrior.' It is a fairly common name in German-speaking regions, as well as in the German diaspora.

The given name Degan is composed of two distinct elements, the first being 'daga' - meaning 'day, dawn', and the second being 'wulf', which translates to 'wolf'. Taken together, the name Degan translates to 'day wolf' or 'dawn-wolf', conveying a sense of protection and a valiant spirit.

The surname Degendorf likely arose as a topinknomic surname from Degan. This is a type of surname usually formed by adding a diminutive or descriptive suffix to the given name in order to distinguish father from son, similar to the British form of surnames like "Johnson", from "John's son". In this case, the suffix 'dorff' is attached to the name Degan. It is derived from the medieval Germanic term 'dorf', meaning literally 'field' or 'village', but also used to describe a small settlement or community. This suggests that the surname Degendorf could have described someone who came from or lived in a small settlement or village.

In summary, the last name Degendorf is derived from the Germanic personal name Degan, which means 'day-wolf' or 'dawn-wolf'. It likely arose as a topinknomic surname, with the suffix 'dorff' added to denote the origin of someone who hails from a small village.

Degendorf: Where does the name Degendorf come from?

The surname Degendorf is common today primarily in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is an area-specific name, with the earliest known occurrences taking place in Bavaria, Germany. Degendorf is a frequent name found in several localities throughout the country, such as Augsburg, Munich, Nuremberg, and Würzburg.

The surname Degendorf is also common in German-speaking countries abroad. In the United States, for example, the first German immigrants were named Degendorf, among others, who began settling in the US in the early 18th century. Degendorf can also be found in Argentina, Venezuela, and Peru, which all have German-speaking populations.

In most cases, the name is a habitational name derived from the name of a thriving medieval place, such as Degendorf castle which is located near Jettingen-Scheppach, Germany. Although the castle no longer exists, the name Degendorf is still commonly used today.

Additionally, there is also an ancient crest associated with the last name Degendorf, which was designed in the 15th century. The coat of arms features a black eagle on a golden shield, which symbolizes a combination of strength and courage. The eagle also serves as a reminder that those with the Degendorf surname should always remain loyal to their family and their heritage.

Variations of the surname Degendorf

The surname Degendorf is an ancient surname that is thought to have originated in Germany. There are several spellings and variants of this surname. The most common spellings and variants have Old German or Germanic origins but there are few exceptions that have other origins.

The most common spelling of this surname is Degendorf, which is derived from the old German words “dege” (meaning “priest”) and “dorf” (meaning “village”). This makes Degendorf literally mean “priest’s village”. It is sometimes also spelled Deggendorf or Deggendorff, which is the same root word but with a modern spelling.

Aside from these spellings, there are also other variants and surnames of the same origin. The variants include Degendorf-Bartram, Degendoff, Degendort, Degendrey and Degendruy. These all involve a combination of the root word and another German surname.

There are also surnames that share the same ancestry as Degendorf but are more distantly related. These variants include Degenhardt, Degens, Dagenais, Degener and Degorf. Each of these names has its own unique meaning and origin.

Overall, Degendorf is an ancient surname with many spellings and variants. Its variants and surnames of the same origin all stem from its Germanic roots: dege (priest) and dorf (village). This makes the Degendorf surname literally mean “priest’s village”, and its variants and related surnames have their own unique meanings and histories.

Famous people with the name Degendorf

• Eric Degendorf: German professional footballer.
• David Degendorf: American voice actor and theatre actor.
• Günter Degendorf: German historian and geopolitican.
• Dirk Degendorf: German modern pentathlete who won a bronze medal at the 1978 World Championships.
• Mark Degendorf: American theoretical physicist.
• Roger Degendorf: American actor and stuntman.
• Frank Degendorf: German historian, art historian and essayist.
• Paul Degendorf: American artist widely known for his oil and mixed media paintings.
• Raimund Degendorf: German professor of international business and management.
• Edward Degendorf: American actor, composer, music director and lyricist.

Other surnames

Degendorfer