Surname Sandau - Meaning and Origin

Sandau: What does the surname Sandau mean?

The last name Sandau has historically been traced back to Germany. It is thought to have come from a place known as Sandau, which is located near Zürich, Switzerland. Sandau itself is derived from the Old German word sanstuf, which was used to describe a sand bank or dune. This could imply that the original bearer of the last name Sandau lived by a sandy bank or dune.

Additionally, the surname Sandau may be descriptive in nature, referring to a person's blonde hair or to a pale complexion. This assumption is further supported by the literal English translation of Sandau, which is "sandy." Similarly, the word sandau could also have originated from the Middle High German term "sant" or "santow," meaning holy or white.

In terms of social standing in Germany, Sandau is considered to be a relatively common last name. It is not associated with any particular group or affiliation, and genetic testing has not revealed a common ancestor.

Regardless of its origin or specific meaning, the last name Sandau has been around for centuries and is borne by many people around the world today. It continues to represent a unique and fascinating part of German history and culture.

Sandau: Where does the name Sandau come from?

The last name Sandau is most common today in Germany and other German-speaking countries like Austria and Switzerland. The name likely originated in the area, as it is a German version of the Scandinavian name Sando, originating in the medieval noble family of the same name. Records of the name appear in the early 1600s in Germany, and the name has grown in popularity since then.

In Germany, Sandau is particularly common in the northern and central parts of the country. States with significant populations include Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, Brandenburg, and Berlin. The largest numbers are found in the northernmost states, with the highest concentration in Schleswig-Holstein.

Emerging records also suggest that the name may have a wider reach in Europe. Sandau is present in many Eastern European countries, but numbers remain relatively low. It is particularly popular in Poland, Romania, Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia.

Today, the number of people with the last name Sandau is continuing to grow. It is still largely concentrated in Germany but is now found in increased numbers across Europe and beyond, making it a more widely spread name than ever before.

Variations of the surname Sandau

Sandau is a surname of German and Dutch origin which is derived from the Middle High German word sandawe, which means "at the sandbank".

Some variants and alternate spellings of Sandau include Sandow, Sandauers, Sanda, Sanderer, Sander, Sandereit, Sanderow, and Sanderowen. These are all forms of the same surname, and share the same origin.

In the Netherlands, Sandau is a variant spelling of the surname Sandvoort and the two surnames are considered to have the same origin. The name Sandvoort is derived from the Middle Dutch words sandwagen, meaning "sand carriage". This suggests that the family was involved in the transportation of sand by carriage. Sandau would essentially be the same surname in different spelling.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Sandau is from 13th century Groningen, Netherlands. It is recorded in rural census records as suffering from an "irregular harvest".

In Germany, Sandau is known as Sandow, which is derived from the Middle High German words, sand and wærthe. This is a location-based surname, referring to someone who lived at the sand bank. Another alternative spelling is Sandauer.

In the United States, Sandau typically originates from German and Dutch immigrants. An example is the Sandau family of Indiana. Henry Sandau immigrated from Germany to the US in 1881 and eventually settled in Indiana.

In conclusion, the Sandau surname originates from German and Dutch ancestors. This surname has several variations and alternate spellings worldwide, including Sandow, Sandauers, Sanda, Sanderer, Sander, Sandereit, Sanderow, and Sanderowen. These variants and spellings are all derived from the same origin and mean the same thing.

Famous people with the name Sandau

• Meghan Sandau: Winner of the 2017 Los Angeles Music Award for Best Pop Artist
• Marshall Sandau: New York born photographer
• Ruben Sandau: Swedish former professional ice hockey player
• Marion Sandau: German actress and singer
• Rick Sandau: Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and producer
• Harold Sandau: Canadian former professional ice hockey player
• Meaghan Sandau: Canadian singer and songwriter
• Jürgen Sandau: German former professional football player
• John Sandau: Australian lawyer and Olympic athlete
• Alexa Sandau: Swiss born opera singer

Other surnames

Sandauer