Surname Aurnhammer - Meaning and Origin

Aurnhammer: What does the surname Aurnhammer mean?

The surname Aurnhammer is a German occupational name derived from the Middle High German 'hurnemar', which is a combination of two words - 'hurn', meaning a dried resin from a forest tree, and 'mar', meaning 'man' or 'worker'. Thus the name suggests a person who worked with resin from trees.

The oldest known usage of the surname dates back to 1147, when Ulrich de Hurnemar was appointed as the Bishop of Bamberg. In 1477, Klaus Aurnhammer appears in a church record from Haldheim in Bavaria. The Aurnhammer variant of the name is believed to have appeared at some point before 1685 in the same region.

It is most common in Bavaria and the surrounding area, as well as in eastern parts of Austria, particularly in Lower Austria and Upper Austria. Today there are approximately 50 people who bear the surname in Germany and Austria, based on recent census figures.

It is possible, though hard to trace, that the name is linked to similar ones found in other parts of Europe. For example, the Aarnekivi or Aarniks name found in Finland is believed to be derived from the same root. It is thought that the Aurnhammer family may have moved to Germany over a period of time from elsewhere in Europe.

Overall, the meaning of the surname Aurnhammer is that of a person who worked with the resin from trees. Its roots are in German but there is a possibility that it is also linked to similar names found in other parts of Europe.

Aurnhammer: Where does the name Aurnhammer come from?

The last name Aurnhammer is considered to be a Germanic name with origin in Bavaria, Germany. Aurnhammer is likely a regional adaptation of the German word “Ahrenhammer” meaning “field of eagles”. It is thought to have been a hereditary name adopted by a family living in the Ahrenhammer region in Bavaria.

Today, the Aurnhammer surname is still common in parts of Germany, especially in Bavaria. According to the German Federal Statistics Office, it is the 3,036th most common German surname. With over six thousand current German citizens bearing the name, it is fairly widespread across the country.

The Aurnhammer surname can also be seen in other European countries such as Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Many families bearing this surname immigrated to North America during the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, people with this surname are found throughout the United States, with the highest concentration in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan.

Given its commonality, it is likely that many people around the world today carry the Aurnhammer surname, whether through traditional family lines or via immigration from Europe to the Americas. The name may still carry some of the regional meaning it held centuries ago, as many people bearing this surname today may have ancestral ties to the Ahrenhammer region of Bavaria. Despite changes in geography, the name has remained a tangible connection to the family's past.

Variations of the surname Aurnhammer

The surname Aurnhammer typically originates from Central European countries such as Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. The variants, spellings, and surnames of Aurnhammer vary slightly depending on the nation of origin. Some of the more common variants are Aurnhammar, Aurnhammer, Aurnhammerm, Aurnhammern, Ahrnhammer, Ehrenhammer, and Erenhammer. One variant which stands out from the others is Aurnet, which is derived from Aurnet als Emer. This is a play on words which effectively translates to “I ring like an eagle” and stems from the belief that this surname comes from a family of eagle hunters.

In Austria, both Aurnhammar and Aurnhammer are quite common. Mostly located in the Styria and Graz regions, Aurnhammar and its variants are many generations old with the family branching out in 1600. The first known instance of the Aurnhammer name in Austria was recorded in 1515 in the Styria region.

In Germany, Ehrenhammer and Aurnhammer are the main sources of the surname. Aurnhammer can be traced back to duchies and Principalities in the 14th century, most likely in the Regensburg region. Ehrenhammer on the other hand is most commonly associated with the Rottenburg area of Germany. The Ehrenhammer surname can be dated as far back as the 12th century.

In Switzerland, the Aurnhammer family is mostly situated in the Schaffhausen, Glarus, and Aargau regions. The Ehrenhammer variant is also present in this region, although the Aurnhammer spelling is most common. The Swiss Aurnhammer families have been in this region since at least the beginning of the 16th century.

Overall, a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames exist for the Aurnhammer name. They can be found in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland and range from modern and more common spellings such as Aurnhammar to the more unique Aurnet. All of these of course, have the common root of Aurnhammer.

Famous people with the name Aurnhammer

• Andreas Aurnhammer is a German musician and composer known for his well-known sons for piano and other classical instruments.
• Karl Aurnhammer was a 19th-century Austrian author and journalist.
• Lena Aurnhammer is the current Chief Financial Officer of Adidas.
• Alex Aurnhammer is a German swimmer who won two medals at the 2004 Summer Olympics.
• Alfred Aurnhammer is a German physicist and professor at the University of Bremen.
• Adolf Aurnhammer was a German World War II-era labor and social-democratic politician.
• Günther Aurnhammer is a German sculptor whose works include "The Guardian" at the European Central Bank in Frankfurt.
• Erich Aurnhammer was a German-born Austrian teacher, writer, and philosopher.
• Felix Aurnhammer was a German surgery professor and Nazi party member.
• Uwe Aurnhammer is a German cinematographer and director.

Other surnames

Aurnhamer