Surname Kerger - Meaning and Origin

Kerger: What does the surname Kerger mean?

The last name Kerger is of German origin. The root of this name is ‘Kergo’ which means strong spear in Old High German. A spear was a weapon of choice used by medieval knights in battle and could also be used as a symbol of strength and protection. The addition of the ‘-er’ suffix at the end of the word gave the last name its modern spelling and attached the term ‘strong spear’ to the individual.

In modern times, this last name can be associated with a person who is intelligent, strategic and has the potential to rise to the top of any field. In a business or organizational setting, the individual may thrive not boring treatment to the nuances of every situation even while under pressure, having the ability to come up with strong solutions.

Kerger is also known to be a very reliable and diligent worker, taking pride in achieving the best results possible. This is likely derived from the strong spear, meaning that the person is willing to carry out tasks to the very best of their ability. Additionally, they have a strong sense of loyalty and commitment to whatever task or mission they are assigned.

Overall, the last name Kerger is associated with those who can think strategically and are determined to succeed. Those with this last name are usually reliable, committed and have great potential to accomplish incredible feats.

Kerger: Where does the name Kerger come from?

The last name Kerger is most common in Germany today. According to the Forebears surname database, it is the 18,874th most common surname in the world and the 365th most common surname in Germany. This ranking suggests that the last name Kerger could be found in many regions of Germany as well as in other German-speaking countries.

Kerger is likely a Germanized version of the Yiddish surname "Kereger" which means "granary". This suggests that many families with the last name Kerger have Jewish heritage. Indeed, the last name is most often found in Germany’s Brandenburg region, which has had a strong history of Jewish populations. The name is also quite popular in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, both of which have also had significant Jewish populations for centuries.

Beyond Germany, the name is common in Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and the United States, where it ranks as the 70,539th most popular last name. Although the name is less common in other countries, its presence in Germany and other German-speaking regions suggests that many people with the last name Kerger likely have strong cultural ties to the region.

Variations of the surname Kerger

The surname Kerger is derived from the Old High German personal name Kericho, meaning “free man”. This surname is found in different regions of Europe, including the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom.

Variants of the Kerger surname include Keger, Kaeger, Kegg, Kenger, Kenger, Kercher, Kercherr, Kerchert, Kercher, Kerger, Kergerr, Kircher, Kirchner, and Kirner.

In the Netherlands, Kelder is a variant of Kerger, while in Germany and Austria, the variants are Kiecke and Kirche.

In Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Slovakia, and the UK, the variants are Kerger, Kircher, Kircner, Kirner, and Kirchner.

Common spellings of the surname include Keger, Kaeger, Kegg, Kerger, Kelder, Kiecke, Kirche, Kircher, Kircner and Kirner.

In America, the Kerger surname is mostly spelled as Kerger or Kircher, and in some cases, the surname is spelled Keger but pronounced as Kerger.

It is also important to note that Kerger has been Anglicized in many cases to become Kercher, Kergher, Kergert, Kerg, and Kergs.

Famous people with the name Kerger

• Michael Kerger: famous Austrian swimmer and Olympic gold medalist
• Omar Kerger: Algerian footballer
• Erwin Kögerger: Austrian footballer
• Johann Heinrich Kögerger: German sculptor
• Ludwig Kögerger: German classical architect
• the Kerger family: prestigious music publishing family of 19th century Germany
• Andreas Körger: German politician
• Anna Körger: noted German female painter of the 19th century
• Dieter Körger: German long-distance runner
• Markus Kögerger: Austrian ski athlete

Other surnames

Kergel