Surname Sax - Meaning and Origin

Sax: What does the surname Sax mean?

The last name Sax is believed to be derived from the Germanic word "sachs", which means "knife". The origin of this surname can therefore be traced back to Germanic settlers in medieval times.

In the Middle Ages, Saxons were an ethnic group of Germanic origin living along the North Sea and English Channel coastlines. This ethnic group would often be employed in professions involving weapons such as blacksmiths and armorers. As such, the term eventually came to refer to craftsmen responsible for making knives or swords - hence why the term “sax” may have become associated with the last name.

The name may have been adopted as a surname in the Middle Ages and may have become associated with people who either had a profession involving the crafting of knives or swords, or who simply descended from an ancestor who did.

In contemporary times, the last name Sax is quite common Appearing in both Germany and the United States, it is an acknowledged identifier of those of Germanic descent.

Sax: Where does the name Sax come from?

The last name Sax is of German origin specifically from Bavaria, and the Saxons were a Germanic tribe, so the name has a strong presence in Germany and German-speaking countries. Today, Sax is also common in other European countries, including France, Poland, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Serbia, Slovakia, Croatia, and Slovenia. In the United States, the Sax surname is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and other states in the northeastern region. In the United Kingdom, Sax is prevalent in Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Sax can be used to refer to a wide variety of things such as saxophone, saxophone player, and Saxony. It is sometimes even used as a first name in some countries, especially in Japan.

In general, Sax is a surname that is not particularly common around the world but has a strong presence in Europe, especially in the German-speaking regions. It is also prominent in the United States and Britain.

Variations of the surname Sax

The surname Sax is of Germanic origin and can be spelled in a variety of ways including Zax, Saecks, Zacs, Saex, Saacks, and Sakz. It is a topographical surname derived from the Middle High German word “saec” which means “to cut”. This suggests that the original bearer of the surname Sax was someone who lived near a hedge or fence that needed to be cut.

Variants of the surname Sax are commonly found in Germany, Eastern Europe, and the Low Countries. In some areas, the name has been Anglicized to Saks. It is also found as a Jewish last name in the Netherlands, where it typically originates from the Yiddish name “Sachs”. A few other variants include Sakx, Sacs, Saes, and Saxe.

The Sax-surname is likely to have stemmed from a particular tribe or region in Europe, as there are also variations of the name that hint at a regional origin. Saxen and Saxin both denote someone from the area of Saxony, while Saxot may refer to a person from Saxony-Lithuania. The Saxon suffix “-ing” can also be an indicator of a regional origin, as in the Saxon-Berlin surname “Saxing” or the Saxon-Bohemian “Saxinger”.

Today, dozens of surnames of Germanic origin include the Sax or Zax prefix. They are found in countries around the world, yet all would likely have shared an ancestry back to a single original Sax family or tribe from the Middle Ages.

Famous people with the name Sax

• Clarence Clemons (1942-2011): Saxophonist and musician, best known for his work with Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band.
• Dave Sax (1940-present): Jazz saxophonist and flutist, best known for his work with the Dorsey Brothers.
• Boots Randolph (1927-2007): Country and blues saxophonist and composer, best known for his solo hit "Yakety Sax".
• John Coltrane (1926-1967): Jazz saxophonist and composer, widely considered one of the most influential jazz musicians of all time.
• Paul Desmond (1924-1977): Jazz saxophonist and composer, best known for The Dave Brubeck Quartet's hit "Take Five".
• Adrian Saxe (contemporary): Contemporary artist who explores sculpture, painting, drawing and video.
• Gerry Mulligan (1927-1996): Jazz saxophonist, composer and arranger, best known for bebop and cool jazz.
• Lee Konitz (1927-present): Jazz saxophonist and composer, best known for his work with Miles Davis, Bill Evans and Gerry Mulligan.
• Kenny G (1956-present): Jazz saxophonist, contemporary instrumentalist and composer, best known for his hit pop songs.
• Phil Woods (1931-2015): Jazz saxophonist and composer, best known for playing rhythm and blues, bebop, hard bop, post-bop and jazz fusion.

Other surnames

SaxonSaxton