Surname Suhr - Meaning and Origin
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A Deep Dive into the Ancestral and Cultural Legacy of the Suhr Surname via iGENEA DNA Test
The exploration of my ancestry through my iGENEA DNA test granted me a riveting probe into my deep-rooted history and the cultural prominence of my surname, Suhr. This ancestral exploration, leading back to the Middle Ages, allowed me to connect with my lineage and appreciate its influence in shaping my identity.
Z. Suhr
read moreSuhr: What does the surname Suhr mean?
The surname Suhr is of German origin and it is predominantly found in Northern Germany. Its precise meaning is not explicitly clear as it doesn't directly translate to a specific word in modern German. Some genealogical sources suggest it might be a topographic name derived from Middle Low German “sure” meaning "sour", possibly referring to sour or poor-quality land. However, it could also be associated with specific professions or locations. Like many surnames, the exact origins of Suhr could be varied, as the name could have been independently adopted by different families in different contexts across the German-speaking regions. Thus, tracing the precise roots might require detailed genealogical research considering the regional differences and historical transformations in the German language.
Order DNA origin analysisSuhr: Where does the name Suhr come from?
The surname Suhr is most commonly found in Germany and Denmark, although it is also recorded in areas such as the United States, Canada, and England. In Germany, the surname is particularly common in the north, with the highest concentration found in Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg. In Denmark, the surname is primarily concentrated in Jutland.
The origin of the surname is uncertain, but it may be derived from a German word meaning “mill” or “wooded”. It may alternatively be a patronymic surname, derived from the son of Suhr, or a habitational surname, referring to people from areas or villages called Suhr.
In the United States, there is a higher concentration of the surname Suhr in the Midwestern states such as Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota, which suggests a large German-American population. In Canada, the surname is concentrated in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, indicating a significant German-Canadian immigrant population in those provinces. Similarly, the concentration of the surname in England can be found in areas with high Germanic immigration.
Overall, the surname Suhr is most commonly found in Germany and Denmark today. It is also prevalent in regions with a history of German immigration, such as the United States, Canada, and England.
Variations of the surname Suhr
The surname Suhr is most commonly spelled as such but can also be written as Suer, Suhre, Souhr, Souer, Soehre, Souhre, Souhrer, Zouhr, Zouer, Zuhre, Zouhre, Zouhrer, Souhres, Souhres, Zouhres, and Zouhres. The variants of Suhr surname are mostly derived from German and Danish origins, and are linked closely to the original spelling Suhr. This surname is likely derived from the Middle High German word 'suer,' which means 'sour.'
In Danish, the surname Suhr may also be spelled as Sųhr or Suhr, and may also be divided by family branches into Sųhr/Sųhren and Sųhren/Sųhrensen. In only German-speaking areas, the variant spellings Suhren and Souhren may also be found.
In the United States during the 19th century, the spelling for many immigrants with this surname was Anglicised upon entry to the country, resulting in alternate spellings for Suhr such as: Sours, Sowers, Sour, Seur, Suare, Soar, Souar, Soars, Soars, Saur, Suares, and Soares. Occasionally, the name was also phonetically translated as Shoors, Shore, Shores, and Shure. The spelling for Suhr in some European families may, over time, have mutated to form the surnames Uhren, Zuhren, Uhahn, Zuhahn, and Uhlemann, but this is less common.
In summary, the primary form of the surname Suhr is most commonly written as such, however, its variant spellings over time offer many different interpretations and geographic connections. Its various forms serve to represent both its Germanic and Danish origins.
Famous people with the name Suhr
- Andrew Suhr: America's Got Talent Season 8 contestant and session musician
- Dan Suhr: Former professional baseball player for the Milwaukee Brewers in 1972
- Frank Suhr: animator and artist, most well-known for his work on The Simpsons and Looney Tunes
- Irina Suhr: professional ballroom dancer and choreographer
- Jens Suhr: former professional rally racing driver
- Udo Suhr: German Protestant theologian and scholar
- Mischa Suhr: executed Jewish Saint in the resistance during World War II
- Paul Suhr: prominent German historian
- Tara Suhr: co-founder of the San Francisco School of Digital Filmmaking
- Tom Suhr: German professional ice hockey player