Surname Middag - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Middag: What does the surname Middag mean?
The last name Middag has Dutch and German origins. It derives from the Middle Dutch term middach, meaning "midday," and the early German word mittag, which also refers to midday. In Dutch, Canadian, and American contexts, the surname Middag has also become a portmanteau for mid-day and the alternative spelling 'Middaugh'.
The name itself most likely originated as an occupational or descriptive surname for someone who worked during lunchtime or at noon. It could also have been adopted by farmers, trading merchants, and other merchants who had to buy or sell goods during the day. Alternatively, it may have originally referred to people who took a midday nap, a habit quite popular among the Dutch and Germans of the 1600s.
Today, the surname Middag remains a fairly common surname in both the Netherlands and Germany. Depending on the geographical area, the surname can still bear the meaning "midday" or "mid-day", and is often spelled the same in both countries, with either one 'd' or two 'd's. People with the surname have been known to have a variety of professions, including bookkeepers, merchants, and farmers. Regardless of its origin, today the Middag surname is still connected to Dutch and German culture and provides a tangible link to the people of the 1600s.
Order DNA origin analysisMiddag: Where does the name Middag come from?
The last name Middag is most commonly found in the Netherlands. The Netherlands is located in Western Europe on the North Sea and is often referred to as Holland.
Although the exact origin of the name is uncertain, it appears to be a Dutch toponym or locational name for someone from any of the numerous places called Middag scattered throughout the Netherlands.
The name Middag is derived from the Dutch word "midden" meaning middle and "dag" meaning day. Thus, the literal meaning and translation of "Middag" is "middle day," likely referring to noon when the sun is at its highest point.
The name is usually spelled Middag in the Netherlands, although the spelling may vary in other countries such as the United States where it is spelled "Middaugh" or "Midrag". The name may also appear as Middel, although this is less common. As of 2020, there are over 1,430 people with the name Middag in the Netherlands, making it one of the more popular surnames. The highest number of people with the name is located in the province of North Holland.
Variations of the surname Middag
The surname Middag is a Dutch and Low German patronymic surname, descended from various Middle Dutch given names. It is derived from the Middle Dutch word “midden” meaning “middle” and the suffix “-ag, -at” meaning “kin” or “family”.
Variations on the Middag surname include Middagh, Middaugh, Middacht, Midde, Middeg and Middeck.
Middag can also be spelled Midag, Midagh, Midaugh, Midad, Midadt, Midat, Midatt, Midaughte, Meddag, Meddaughte, Middache and Middone.
Related surnames include Middel, Mittag, Mittags, Midduwilde, Mittig and Midtliv.
Other possible spellings include Mydag, Mydagh, Mydaugh, Mydat, Mydaughte, Mide, Medde, Meddele, Meddely, Mideck, Meiddelt, Mydde, Midul and Miduly.
There are many surnames which come from similar given names, some of which include de Middel, de Middelhof, de Middenhof, van der Midden, von Mittange and Mittel.
Some surnames are derived from a Middle Dutch nickname or “byname”, such as Midt (“the Middle One,”), Mit (“little middle”), Midder (“overly middle”) and Midlum (“perfect middle”).
Ultimately, there are almost limitless variations on the Middag surname. The only way to know for sure what your ancestors used is by researching your family tree.
Famous people with the name Middag
- Esmée Middag: Dutch ice skater and Panathinaikos women's basketball player.
- Vana Middag: former Dutch field hockey player and member of the Dutch Olympic team.
- Frank Middag: Dutch actor and director.
- Katrina Middag: Dutch model and beauty pageant titleholder.
- Frits Middag: Dutch football goalkeeper.
- Hennie Middag: former Dutch speed skater, multiple-times Dutch Allround Champion.
- Pascal Middag: Dutch musical theatre actor.
- Jo Middag: Dutch tuba player.
- Ismee Middag: Dutch speed skater, multiple-time Dutch Allround Champion.
- Egbert Middag: Dutch speed skater, multiple-time Dutch Allround Champion and two-time Olympic medalist.
- Marijke Middag: Dutch ice skater and top ranking professional figure skating coach.