Surname Sonnabend - Meaning and Origin
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Sonnabend: What does the surname Sonnabend mean?
The last name Sonnabend is German in origin. It translates literally as ‘Sunday Evening’, suggesting either an occupation related to the Sabbath day, or a family whose ancestors were noted for celebrating it in particular.
In old German, the ‘Sonn’ root of the surname denoted either the sun or Sunday, or both. The ‘Abend’ part referred to the evening. This compound word became a popular last name at some point in the Middle Ages, likely in Southern Germany and Switzerland, where it is still popular today.
The use of ‘Sonnabend’ as a last name reflects the unique combination of Christian beliefs and traditional customs that has long characterized that part of the world. The emphasis on the evening of Sunday is surprising in a cultural climate were business and labor were the main focus of life in most cases.
The people who would eventually bear the surname Sonnabend likely had a distinct appreciation for time away from labor, earned the respect of their peers, and passed it on to their descendants. This appreciation for balancing work and leisure is a quality that is still found among those born with the same surname.
Order DNA origin analysisSonnabend: Where does the name Sonnabend come from?
The last name Sonnabend is most commonly found in Germany today, where it is one of the more common surnames. Records show that the name was first seen in the early 19th century when a Jewish family migrated from Prussia and settled in the region, taking the surname. Since then, the Sonnabend family has become widespread in Germany, with records showing that the last name is still found in large numbers around the country.
Sonnabend is also an uncommon but not unheard of surname in other countries, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and other parts of Europe. For example, there are records of the name being used in Sweden, Austria, and Hungary. Research suggests that most Sonnabends in these countries are descendants of German immigrants who fled during World War Two.
In terms of etymology, Sonnabend is thought to be derived from the German word for Saturday, and may have been used to refer to someone who was of a mercantile background. This is due to Saturday being a traditionally quieter day for trading, thus providing more time for merchants to spend with family.
Overall, the last name Sonnabend is most common in Germany today, with records showing it being used by numerous families over the centuries. Although the surname is not widely used in many other countries, there are some instances of it being used in Scandinavia, Austria, Hungary, and elsewhere in Europe. The etymology of the name may suggest that it is derived from Saturday, possibly referring to someone of mercantile background.
Variations of the surname Sonnabend
The surname Sonnabend is a German name derived from the German words “Sonne” meaning “sun” and “abend” meaning “evening”. It is an occupational name for a guard who patrolled and watched over a town during the night hours. It may also be derived from the Old German words “sonaht” meaning “light” and “bendin” meaning “bend” or “bow” suggesting the surname originally referred to one who was proficient with a bow or archery.
Variations of the surname Sonnabend include Sonnabend, Sunabend, Sonabend, Sonnebend, Zonabend, Senaabend, Sonaabend, Sunnaabend and Sonaabond.
The spelling of the surname can also be changed to 'Sonabend' in many countries. It is most commonly used in the United States, the Netherlands, and Germany.
The surnames Sonabon, Senabund, Senabend, Sennabend, Sonnabandt and Sonnybend are derived as surnames of the same origin as Sonnabend.
The variants of Sonnabend have spread across Europe to places like the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia. Some variants of the surname were also found in Austria and Switzerland.
In the United States, Sonnabend is most commonly found among those of German descent. Other spellings such as Senabend and Sunabend can be found with similar levels of frequency.
The surname can also be found in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, where the spelling is usually Sonabend or Sonnebend.
Sonnabend can also be found in South African countries like Namibia, where it is spelled Sonabend, and South Africa, where it is spelled Sunabend.
The surname Sonnabend is a German small surname that has spread across the world in different variants due to the large movement of people from Europe to other places. Despite its variant spellings, the meaning and origin of the surname remain the same.
Famous people with the name Sonnabend
- Michael Sonnabend (20th century Swiss-born British theatre director and producer)
- Max Sonnabend (19th century German-born American merchant and philanthropist)
- Henny Sonnabend (member of the prominent Sonnabend family of Jewish traders and entrepreneurs)
- Kurt Sonnabend (Austrian-American sculptor)
- Franz Sonnabend (20th century Austrain lawyer and energy sector CEO)
- Cheryl Sonnabend (American photographer and visual artist)
- Johanna Sonnabend (French-American sculptor and arts educator)
- Alfredo Sonnabend (Italian-born French art historian and dealer)
- Herbert Sonnabend (20th century American painter)
- Werner Sonnabend (German-born American composer)