Surname Degendorfer - Meaning and Origin

Degendorfer: What does the surname Degendorfer mean?

The last name Degendorfer is derived from the ancient Germanic language and is a topographic occupation name, describing someone who lived near or on a fork in the road. The earliest recorded use of this surname dates back to the late 12th century, when the Counts of Egendorf in the Upper Bavarian area known as the Altmühl Valley first used it.

The original spelling of the name was most likely Enderdorv, with the suffix ‘dorv’ from the Germanic word for an entrance, road, or pass leading to a village or valley. Over time, due to local dialects and standardization of spelling, the name evolved into Degendorf.

The Degendorfer family likely could trace its roots back to the founding of the village of Egendorf in 1158. As the Germanic language spread and the family was displaced, they likely relocated to other parts of Germany, and from there, to other parts of the world, where the spelling of their last name was changed to Degendorfer.

Today, Degendorf is an uncommon last name, but the name can still be found in Germany, America, and other parts of the world. Even with its uncommonness, the history of the Degendorfer family is rich, and its members are proud to carry the unique family name.

Degendorfer: Where does the name Degendorfer come from?

The last name Degendorfer today is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and the United States.

In Germany, the surname Degendorfer is particularly common in the Bavarian region and is known by the spelling "Deggendorf," which is pronounced "DEG-en-dorff." During records from the early 16th century, it can be found in the civil records of Nuremberg and Regensberg. Degendorfer families have spread across Germany, often through immigration to major cities such as Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg.

In Austria, the surname Degendorfer is believed to have originated in the Alpine regions of Kärnten and Tirol, and is commonly found in the states of Vienna and Salzburg with variants like "Deggendorfer" and "Deggendorferner."

In the United States, the name Degendorfer is most commonly found in Ohio and Pennsylvania. These families originated from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, in the 19th century. Initially, most Degendorfer families settled in urban areas, such as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Cleveland, Ohio. Over time, they spread to other parts of the country as the search for work and new opportunities pushed them further west.

The last name Degendorfer is still very prevalent today in the countries where it originated, while family members have also been scattered around the world. As a result, it is a name which is sometimes heard in other countries particularly amongst individuals whose family have their roots in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Variations of the surname Degendorfer

The surname Degendorfer is an occupational surname deriving from Germany where it is most commonly found. The surname is most often spelled Degendorfer, but may also appear in variants such as Degenterfer, Degenterfner, Degentorfer, Diggendorfer and Degenderfer, all derived from the medieval German verb "Degendrafen," which means "to prepare (for nothing)."

Other related surname variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Digenterfer, Degensdorfer, Dingenwerfer, Degenwerfer, Degerdorfer, Deganorfer, Degwenderfer, Degendorph, Degindorph, Degendurf, Digensdorfer, Degenhorn, Degendaur and Deganer.

The Degendorfer surname has many possible variants, but they all have a common origin in the medieval German verb Degandrafen. Many of the variants are commonly used in the United States and throughout Europe.

The most common variant of the Degendorfer surname is Degendorfer, but its various spellings are highly likely to be found in various parts of the world. There are many spellings of the surname originating from Germany, some of which were adopted to fit the local language and culture of another country.

No matter where the surname is found, it is derived from Degandrafen, meaning to prepare (for nothing), meaning that those of the Degendorfer surname are most likely descendants of people who were successful in their endeavors and prepared well for their futures.

Famous people with the name Degendorfer

• Bernard Degendorfer: professional American football kicker
• Zane Degendorfer: American actor best known for appearances in 'Zoolander', 'The Bourne Identity', and 'Evan Almighty'
• Aaron Degendorfer: producer and director at Third Street Productions
• Steve Degendorfer: retired professional American football player
• Thea Louise Degendorfer: geriatrician and professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Alicia Degendorfer: founder of Degendorfer Consulting Group, specializing in business and leadership development
• Martin Degendorfer: German footballer and manager
• Amy Degendorfer: expert litigation attorney and public defender
• Jason Degendorfer: actor and voice actor, known for his work in the 'Harry Potter' and 'Lord of the Rings' franchises
• Robert Degendorfer: Austrian lawyer and politician

Other surnames

Degendorf