Surname Sauerland - Meaning and Origin
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Sauerland: What does the surname Sauerland mean?
The surname Sauerland is of German origin and is derived from the region of the same name, which is a hilly region situated in the German states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse. The etymological meaning of the name is translated to ‘sour land’ because of its poorly fertile and acid-rich soil.
The Sauerland, often referred to as the Bergisches Land for its picturesque hills and forests, is a tightly knit community of people living in this region of Germany with the Sauerland designation. This is the only area in the world where the Sauerland surname is found, indicating either direct descent from this region or recent immigration.
The Sauerland surname is common in Germany, where it ranks as the 24th most popular surname in the country. In the United States, where there is a large German-American population, the name is ranked 10,504th in terms of popularity with a total of 16,413 individuals with the surname.
The Sauerland surname is associated with industriousness, loyalty, and hard work. This is reflective of the traditional Protestant work ethic of the region, as the majority of inhabitants were Protestant Christians. Consequently, those with the Sauerland surname tend to operate by a strong moral code and take great pride in their heritage and their work.
Order DNA origin analysisSauerland: Where does the name Sauerland come from?
The surname Sauerland is primarily found in German-speaking countries today, particularly in the region of Westphalia in Germany. In Westphalia, the surname is especially common in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and surrounding areas. It is thought that the name originated from the region's geography, as 'Sauerland' is translated from German to English directly as 'Sourland', a nod to the region's acid soil.
The Sauerland region is an idyllic area in western Germany, characterised by green hills, valleys, rivers and forests. This natural landscape is a stark contrast to the intense industrialisation of nearby cities and towns, such as Dortmund and Gelsenkirchen.
Tracing the history of the surname even further back, it is believed that the family name Sauerland originated from Old Dutch origins. The use of this surname can be traced as far back as 1590 coinciding with the earliest recorded instance of the exposition of the Sauerland family in the East in Pursat, Germany.
Today, the Sauerland family is scattered around the world, with some descendants still living in the original region. Additionally, many have also moved to other countries such as the United States, where records show they have been present since the 1800s. Overall, the surname is still a relatively common one and is a reminder of the family's long history and strong heritage.
Variations of the surname Sauerland
The surname Sauerland originates from Germany and comes from the name of the region known for its mountainous terrain. Variants of the name range from Sawerland, Sauerländer, and Sauerlander to Sawerlander, Sauerlandt, and Sauerlind. Spellings of the surname may also vary, from Sauerland to Sauerlant, Sawerland, Sauberland, Sauerlat, Saurerland, and Sauserland.
Sauerlander and Sawerlander are types of locational surnames, which are common in Germany. The surname essentially originates from people who came from this particular region. It is not a patronymic surname, meaning it does not indicate a descent from an ancestor with father's name. Many of the variants of this surname suggest different spellings of the same origin. For example, the variant Sauerländer is a combination of two German words, "Sauer" which means "sour" and "Land" which means "state" or "country".
Surnames with a similar origin and meaning include Saurer, Sowerland, Sauersland, Saurenland, Sauerbrand, and Sauerbund. Other surnames which are related to the Sauerland name but are not spelled the exact same include Souring, Sourland, Sourlander, Sauering, and Sourlant.
Many immigrants to the United States changed their surnames as they acclimated to the new country, either simplifying the spelling of their surname or changing it completely. During the early 20th century, immigrants may have made the transition from Sauberland to Sobland or Sobel and from Sowerland to Soerland or Sorrett. The more modern variants which exist today include Zauerland, Zawerland, and Zaurlant.
Famous people with the name Sauerland
- Kalle Sauerland: Famed German boxing promoter affiliated with Sauerland Event and one of the founding fathers of the World Boxing Super Series tournament.
- Anke Sauerland: German former football defender who won seven caps for the national team during her career. She was a member of the German team that won the UEFA Women’s Championship in 1989 and 1991.
- Vitali Sauerland: German former footballer who played for clubs in both Switzerland and Germany. He currently is the manager of the youth team of VfL Osnabrück, his last club before he retired.
- Giuseppe Sauerland: Italian former boxer who competed in the amateur and professional ranks throughout the 1970’s.
- Wolfram Sauerland: German former footballer who made over 350 appearances for clubs throughout the Deutschland during the 1960’s and 1970’s.
- Björn Sauerland: Former German alpine skier who competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics. Sadly, his career was cut short due to injury and he presently works as a ski instructor in his hometown.
- Magnus Sauerland: Former professional tennis player from Germany who enjoyed several success in doubles tournaments during his career.
- Holger Sauerland: Notable German journalist and political commentator. Currently the editor-in-chief of the news magazine ‘Der Tag’.
- Henning Sauerland: German former professional footballer who made 162 appearances for Eintracht Braunschweig during his career.
- Christopher Sauerland: German former professional footballer who made over 300 appearances for clubs in Germany and Norway during his career.