Surname Sauer - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Sauer: What does the surname Sauer mean?
The last name Sauer is of German origin and it directly translates to "sour" in English. It is considered to be a nickname for a bitter or unhappy person. However, names could also be derived from locations or occupations and in those contexts "Sauer" might refer to someone from a particularly sour or acidic soil area. Over time, nicknames, occupations, and geographic references became surnames. Another possibility is that the original bearer of the name owned a vineyard or made their living producing or selling vinegar, as 'sauer' could be associated with these types of sour or fermented products. It's good to note that surname meanings can vary based on regional dialects and societal changes over time.
Order DNA origin analysisSauer: Where does the name Sauer come from?
The last name Sauer is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word “sūr”, meaning “sour”. As such, it is most common in Germany today, followed closely by neighboring countries where German is spoken, such as Austria and Switzerland. It is most heavily concentrated in the region known as Bavaria, located in southeastern Germany. Other areas where the last name is slightly less popular include France, Liechtenstein, Poland, the Netherlands, and the Scandinavian countries.
Sauer is an increasingly popular name in the United States, where it was introduced with German immigrants in the 18th and 19th centuries. Like many other immigrant names, it has become commonplace in areas of the country with large German-American populations, such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Missouri. The states where it is the most common are North Dakota and South Dakota, followed closely by Montana.
Sauer is also relatively popular in Canada, particularly in the provinces of Ontario and Alberta. Again, this is likely attributable to the large numbers of German immigrants who settled in these areas during the early to mid-19th century. Other areas where Sauer is somewhat less common include the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand.
The surname Sauer is still regarded as one of the most ancient of all German surnames, and is likely to remain so for many years to come.
Variations of the surname Sauer
The surname Sauer is a German-language surname that comes from the Middle High German word "sûre". It is believed to have been used as an occupational name for a food preserver, most likely for a saltier. This surname can also be used for someone who lived by a sour body of water, such as a bog or a marsh.
The variants of the surname Sauer are Saler, Sauerr, Saur, Sawer, Seurer, and Zouer.
The surname Sauer can also be spelled Sauers, Sours, and Sawyers.
The surnames of similar origin include the German-language Sauerbrey, Saurer, Seubert, Swore, and ZSore. There are also some non-German surnames that are related to the surname Sauer, such as the Czech Sauerova, the Polish Sowerba, and the French Sorel.
The surname Sauer is a common German-language surname and is found all over the world, most likely around German-speaking regions such as Germany and the United States. It is often shortened to the German-language nicknames "Sau" or "Saus".
Famous people with the name Sauer
- Retired German footballer Jörg Sauer
- German football club owner and businessman, Dieter Sauer
- American mathematician and computer scientist, Larry Sauer
- Retired American professional basketball player, George Sauer
- American sociologist, Stephen Sauer
- German Olympic figure skater, Marika Sauer
- German Professor of Civil Law, Roman Sauer
- German politician, Karsten Sauer
- Israeli TV host, radio actor, and singer, Micha Sauer
- German actor, Fritz Sauer
- Austrian Olympic athlete, Bernd Sauer
- American emergency and critical care physician, Stephen Sauer
- German painter, illustrator, and graphic designer, Paul Sauer
- Australian football player, Leigh Sauer
- German judge and legal scholar, Wilfried Sauer
- Canadian discipline and educational specialist, Nadine Sauer
- Portuguese musician, composer, and orchestra conductor, Fernando Sauer
- American feminist theologian, Beverly Sauer
- American zoologist, Jacquelyn Sauer
- German Olympic swimmer, Klaus Sauer