Surname Machtinger - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Machtinger: What does the surname Machtinger mean?
The last name Machtinger is an anglicization of the German surname Mechtinger. The name is derived from the Middle High German term “mechting”, which means ‘meadow’ or ‘pasture’. This indicates that the Machtinger family likely had a history with farming or livestock. It is also possible that early Machtinger ancestors were stewards of a larger estate, managing and maintaining meadows on the lord’s land.
While it is impossible to pinpoint the exact moment when the Machtinger family name originated, we can speculate that it began sometime around the early 1400s in Germany. It may have been as a result of a man named Mechtinger who ran a farm or pasture, or held a position of authority on a grand estate. The family’s descendants continued to use the surname Mechtinger (or its later anglicization, Machtinger) for generations. Eventually, the family likely emigrated from Germany and the Machtinger surname was found in other countries.
The Machtinger family name carries a rich history of farming, stewardship, and Medieval Germany. It is a reminder of the family’s roots, and the hardworking ancestors who have come before them.
Order DNA origin analysisMachtinger: Where does the name Machtinger come from?
The last name Machtinger is a German-Jewish name that is currently most common in Israel and the United States. Although very uncommon in Germany, there are a few Machtinger households in various German states, namely Berlin, Bavaria, and Lower Saxony.
In terms of the United States, the majority of the Machtinger households are located in Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, and Wisconsin. In the 2000 United States Census, Pennsylvania had the highest number of Machtinger households with more than 10, while New York and Illinois each had four. Additionally, Wisconsin had one Machtinger household and Maryland, Massachusetts, and Tennessee also had fewer than 10 households.
When it comes to Israel, cities like Jerusalem, Petah Tikvah, and Beersheba have the highest concentration of Machtinger households. In the 2013 Central Bureau of Statistics there were 172 Machtinger households, with just over half of those residing in Jerusalem.
Additionally, a number of Machtingers have spread throughout Canada, Australia, Mexico, and a few other countries. These households are far fewer, however, compared to the concentration in the United States and Israel.
Overall, the last name Machtinger has a history of spread across many countries and cultures. Although it is a relatively uncommon name, it is commonly seen among German-Jewish households in the United States and Israel.
Variations of the surname Machtinger
The surname Machtinger has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Mahdinger, Macinger, Machdinger, Maechtinger, Mahchtiger, Machetinger, Machtiger, Macinger, Machetiger, Machetaller, Maechtaler, and Meachtinger.
The earliest records of the surname date back to 1563, when the registrar of the town of Ulm, Alem. Jacob Machtinger, recorded the name of one Johannes Machtinger in his book. Other records from the area, including church registers, census data, and land records, show the name to have been in use for centuries before that.
The surname Machtinger is believed to be of German and Swiss origin, derived from the German term for “son of Macht”, “Machtiger”. The term Macht or Mahd is thought to be derived from the Middle High German word meaning strength and power. It is likely that the surname originated from a family of nobels who were powerful and wealthy.
The surname is most common in Germany and Switzerland, but can be found in other countries around the world. In Australia, the surname is mainly concentrated in the state of South Australia, and in the USA it can be found in states like Texas and Oregon. It can also be found in countries such as Brazil, France, and Canada.
Overall, Machtinger is a very old and established surname with many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It is a proud and noble German and Swiss surname that over the centuries has spread around the world. So whether you spell it Machtinger, Mahdinger, Machetiger, or some other variation, you are sure to be related to the proud and power generations of the same old German-Swiss family.
Famous people with the name Machtinger
- Robert Machtinger: Jazz drummer who played for The Temptations, Shirley Bassey and the British Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
- Howard Machtinger: Pulitzer Prize-nominated American playwright.
- Amon Machtinger: Austrian writer and rabbi.
- Paul Machtinger: German historian and biographer.
- Joseph Machtinger: French existentialist philosopher.
- Ellen Machtinger: American sportscaster and television personality.
- Lester Machtinger: Former head coach of the Buffalo Bills.
- Elizabeth Machtinger: American visual artist.
- Jonathan Machtinger: Award-winning composer, conductor and pianist.
- McKinley Machtinger: American artist and sculptor.