Surname Stürzenbecher - Meaning and Origin
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Stürzenbecher: What does the surname Stürzenbecher mean?
The last name Stürzenbecher is of German origin, derived from the words 'Stürzen' and 'Becher', meaning to topple or tumble, and cup, respectively. This indicates that the ancestors of those who bear this surname likely held the role of a ceramic worker, specifically someone who made cups. Variants of the surname can be found in countries such as Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
Derived from Old High German, the name Stürze is thought to signify a chalice, while Becher is the German word for cup, indicating that the original bearers of the name Stürzenbecher had a profession related to cup-making. In the Middle Ages, when the surname developed, chalice-makers were of high importance. While most people in the Middle Ages were illiterate, they identified themselves by their trade and profession, with names such as those indicating cup makers being the most common.
The surname Stürzenbecher is made up of two parts, both of which share the same root: Sturmart, which means to crash down, and Becher, which is cup in German. Taken together, these two terms implied the profession of an owner of a shop that made cups and chalices. In addition to being a name denoting a profession, some believe that the name Stürzenbecher is also a reference to the turbulence of medieval times.
In modern times, the surname Stürzenbecher is an indication of one’s heritage, with the name still thriving in countries such as Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, and Slovakia. It carries with it a rich history of ownership of a cup-making shop, while also hinting of the turbulent times in which its original bearers lived.
Order DNA origin analysisStürzenbecher: Where does the name Stürzenbecher come from?
The last name Stürzenbecher is common today in several European countries. The largest concentrations of the name are found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the French province of Alsace.
In Germany, Stürzenbecher is most prevalent in the northern and eastern parts of the country. It is especially common in the states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia. In Bavaria there are also large numbers of people with this last name.
In Austria, Stürzenbecher is mainly concentrated in Upper Austria, Styria, and Vienna. In Switzerland, the largest numbers can be found in the cantons of Zurich, Basel-City, and Aargau.
In Alsace, a region in northeastern France that historically belonged to Germany, the surname Stürzenbecher is fairly widespread. It is especially common in the cities of Strasbourg and Mulhouse.
The last name Stürzenbecher can also be found in the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world. Many of those who bear it are descendants of German immigrants who settled in these countries in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Variations of the surname Stürzenbecher
The surname Stürzenbecher has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Spellings of the surname include Sturzenbecher, Stürzenbacher, Stuerzenbacher, and Stuerzenbecher. Variants of the surname include Sturzenbekher, Sturzenbeck, Stürzenbach, Stürzenbaecker, Stürzenbeck, Sturzenbecker, Stuerzbacher, Stuerzbekker, and Stürzenbecke. Surnames with the same origin include Stürzbecher, Sturzbacher, and Sturzbeck.
The German word stürzen means "to fall" and becher means "drinking bowl" or "goblet." Thus, the surname's literal meaning is "one who falls with a drinking vessel" or "falling goblet," either referring to a physical action of slipping and dropping a goblet or a metaphorical concept of someone whose life can be characterized as falling. As a result, the Stürzenbecher surname in Germany likely originated as an occupational name associated with either one of the local occupations or as a servant in a noble household.
Stürzenbecher is also found in other countries, including the United States and France. It is likely that the surname was taken from Germany to other areas during the 17th century by immigrants seeking a new life. The name may have been adapted to different spellings or changed slightly in other countries. Despite this, the root of the surname is still connected to Stürzenbecher.
Famous people with the name Stürzenbecher
- Christian Stürzenbecher: German footballer and 2001 German Footballer of the Year
- Elisabeth von Stürzenbecher: German actress
- Philipp Stürzenbecher: German entrepreneur
- Hans Stürzenbecher: Swiss painter and graphic designer
- Martin Stürzenbecher: Swiss politician and former president of the Swiss National Council
- Julia Stürzenbecher: German figure skater
- Roland Stürzenbecher: German biologist
- Leopold Stürzenbecher: Austrian sculptor
- Ruth Stürzenbecher: German author
- Franz Stürzenbecher: Canadian journalist and author