Surname Neulinger - Meaning and Origin

Neulinger: What does the surname Neulinger mean?

Neulinger is a German surname derived from the German word "Neuling" meaning "newcomer." It is believed to have been given to those who were relatively new to an area or who had recently moved, thus becoming "newcomers" to the region. In other cases, the surname could have been taken on as an occupational name for newcomers who had just entered a trade or profession and needed to be identified in the region.

The surname Neulinger typically denotes families with ancestry located in German-speaking regions of Europe, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Records of the surname in Germany date back to at least the 14th century, with the modern spelling first appearing in 1730. Outside of Germany, the name is much rarer, appearing mainly in areas heavily populated by German immigrants.

The Neulingers were generally a middle-class family, and throughout history they were known to hold various clerical and professional positions including lawyers, teachers, builders, and merchants. In modern times, the Neulinger family is still mainly concentrated in the regions of their original settlement.

The last name Neulinger is most often associated with the meaning of a newcomer, indicating that the surname is likely to denote families who are new to a region or have just entered a trade. It has been a popular surname in the German-speaking regions of Europe for centuries and is still associated with elements of the past such as the middle-class lifestyle, clerical and professional positions, and the importance of having a unique identity in a new home.

Neulinger: Where does the name Neulinger come from?

Today, the last name Neulinger is most commonly found in East-Central Europe, particularly in Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic.

The Neulinger family traces its roots back to at least the 16th century, with the earliest records showing occupation from the far reaches of Europe, in places like Switzerland, Italy, and Hungary. In more recent times, records frequently show us the family’s presence in major cities such as Krakow, Berlin, and Prague. According to historical records, the Neulinger family slowly made their way eastward, eventually arriving in the region of Bohemia, now the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Though the Neulinger name is not as widely spread today, remnants of its presence can still be found in the genetic composition of majors cities in East-Central Europe. A disproportionately high number of people with the last name Neulinger can still be found in places like Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The Neulinger family’s story is unique, as it serves as an example of the diaspora of many families displaced during the tumultuous times of World Wars I and II. Through arduous travel and searching, these families kept alive their distinctive culture and identities, reflected in their last names.

Variations of the surname Neulinger

The surname Neulinger can have various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of these include Neulinger, Newlinger, Neuling, Neulingauf, Neulingen, Neulingerd, Neulingendorf, Neulingen, Neulinghausen, Neulinghof, Neulingar, Neulingerhof, Neulingstadt, Noeling, Noelinger, Noelingen, Noelinghof, Nullinger, and Nullingerhof.

Neulinger is a German variant of the surname Newlinger, which is derived from the Middle High German word “nuwele” meaning “near the spring”. Thus, those with this surname would be descendants of someone who lived close to a spring. It may have been a place name used to identify a family’s location in particular areas of German regions such as Alsace or Bavaria.

Similarly, Neuling is another German spelling, which comes from Old High German and translates to “newcomer". It was used to identify someone or a family that had recently moved into a particular area or community. Other variations such as Neulingauf (“near the hill”) can also be traced to Old High German.

Most of the other surnames mentioned above, such as Noeling and Nullinger, are derivatives of Neulinger. While the surname Neulinger is still fairly common in German speaking countries, many of its variants have become less popular over time.

Famous people with the name Neulinger

• Rabbi Benjamin Neulinger: an American-Jewish leader, rabbi, and scholar.
• Rabbi Maurice Neulinger: an American Conservative rabbi, author, and cantor.
• Eugene Neulinger: an American blues musician and bandleader.
• Louis Neulinger: an American NFL player.
• Jack Neulinger: an American director, choreographer and writer.
• Charles Neulinger: an American comedian and actor.
• Max Neulinger: a German actor and comedian.
• David Neulinger: an American attorney and partner at the global law firm of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.
• Monika Neulinger: an Austrian artist known for her prints and paintings.
• Cornelius Neulinger: a German writer and playwright.

Other surnames

Neuling