Surname Luft - Meaning and Origin

Revisiting My Luft Ancestry: A DNA Test Journey Towards Self-Understanding and Appreciation for Heritage

After taking a DNA test at iGENEA, I discovered a surprising Eastern European lineage in my family, a revelation that profoundly changed my self-understanding and enhanced my respect for my ancestors named Luft.

K. Luft

Luft: What does the surname Luft mean?

The surname Luft is a German surname from the Middle High German and Early Modern German words "luft/lufte", which both mean air. This name likely originated as a descriptive nickname for a person who was thought to be full of life, lively, or active. It may also have been used to describe someone who traveled frequently or was a sailor.

Given its meaning, the surname likely originated in or was brought to Germany by someone from either an air-related profession or someone with an active lifestyle. There can even be a deeper spirituality connected to Luft with some people believing that those with the surname are airy and receptive to divine and spiritual forces.

As with most surnames, it has greatly evolved over time. It has been used as the surname of noble families, with some offering branches to royal families in various countries. The Luft name can also be found in other European countries, such as the United Kingdom and Sweden.

Ultimately, the name Luft is a reminder that there is energy and life all around us, and to never take life too seriously. Those with the surname can be proud that it represents being open to new experiences and possibilities and having an enthusiasm for life.

Luft: Where does the name Luft come from?

The surname Luft is most commonly found in countries with German-speaking populations, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also widespread in the United States, where it was brought over by German immigrants during the 19th century. The name can be found in other countries with German minorities, such as France, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary. Countries with smaller German populations, such as Italy, Russia, and the Balkans, have smaller numbers of people with the surname Luft.

The most common origin of the surname Luft is the German word for "air," luft. It is likely that the name was originally either an occupational surname referencing someone in the air-related profession or a descriptive surname given to someone with an air of liveliness or enthusiasm.

In the United States, the largest concentration of individuals with the last name Luft can be found in the Midwestern states such as Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan. The states with the most Lufts among their population include Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa.

In the 2010 United States Census, there were 4,846 people who reported having the last name Luft. This number has likely changed slightly since then, but the surname remains quite common in the country and its German-speaking regions in Europe.

Variations of the surname Luft

The surname Luft is thought to originate from Central and Eastern Europe. The spelling variants and alternate surnames are believed to be associated with the origins of Luft.

A common spelling variant is the surname Lufthansa. This spelling is mostly seen in Central and Eastern Europe or in North-Central Germany. It is believed to be derived from the Old German name “Lufthansa,” meaning “eager to fly.”

Another variant of the surname Luft is Loeffler. It is common in countries like Germany, Czech Republic, and Austria and its origin again is linked to Old German and means “one who loves to fly”.

The most common alternate surname for Luft is the name Lueftner. It is derived from the Old German root “lueft” meaning “flight”. Much like its variants, this surname is also mostly found in Central and Eastern Europe.

Another similar alternate surname is the name Leufert. It is derived from the Old German root “luefter”, which has the same meaning as Lueftner.

The variant spelling of the surname Luft is Lueft, with an additional letter “e”. It is also found in many German speaking countries in Central and Eastern Europe.

Overall, the surnames Luft, Lufthansa, Loeffler, Lueftner, Leufert and Lueft are all variants or alternate surnames of the same origin and have slight differences in their meanings.

Famous people with the name Luft

• Gustav Luft: Gustav was a Swedish mountaineer, explorer and author. He summited both Mont Blanc and Mount Matterhorn and led several successful expeditions to Sarek National Park.
• Jake Luft: Jake is an American actor best known for playing Smitty in the TV show, X-Statix.
• Jesse Luft: Jesse is an American freestyle BMX rider whose signature trick is the 720, a two-and-a-half rotation flip.
• Ludwig Luft: Ludwig was a medieval German knight who fought in the Battle of Bouvines. He was a member of the Teutonic Order, an organisation founded to protect Christians in the Holy Land.
• Madeleine Luft: Madeleine is a Swedish actress best known for her roles in TV series such as The Bridge and Million Dollar Hooker.
• Nils Luft: Nils is a Swedish sprint and track athlete who won the gold medal in the 400m at the 1959 European Championship.
• Sigfrid Luft: Sigfrid was a Swedish boxer who competed in the 1919 Olympics. He competed in the light-heavyweight class and won the bronze medal.
• Violet Luft: Violet is an American singer-songwriter best known for her songs “Starry Dip” and “Tension Maker.”

Other surnames

LuferLuffman