Surname Egger - Meaning and Origin
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'Individual Threads of History: The iGENEA DNA Test, The Surname Egger, and My Personal Heritage'
Peering into the looking glass of my genealogical past through the iGENEA DNA test has dramatically reshaped my understanding and perception of my surname 'Egger', my personal identity, and heritage.
L. Egger
read moreEgger: What does the surname Egger mean?
The surname Egger is of German origin. It is an occupational surname which derives from the Old German word "Egger" meaning a “plowman” or “agricultural worker”. This name was likely given to a person who worked on a farm or was an agricultural laborer.
The Egger surname was first found in Salzburg, Austria. The family was known for having a prominent role in local social and political affairs. The Egger family originated in Heidelstetten, Germany. The name spread to other parts of the country, reaching its highest presence in south-western Germany.
In modern times, people bearing the Egger name can be found all over the world, from Europe to South America. In the United States, Egger is a common surname in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, and Texas.
In addition to being a surname, “egger” can also be a given name referring to someone who is strong-willed, determined, and energetic. As both a surname and given name, Egger is a testament to hard-working individuals who aren’t afraid to take on ambitious projects or rise up against adversity.
Order DNA origin analysisEgger: Where does the name Egger come from?
The last name Egger is most commonly found throughout the alpine regions of Europe. In Switzerland, Egger is the 24th most common surname and is also quite common in Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein. Egger typically originates from the Middle High German word "egge," which means axe or plowshare.
In Germany, there are a few regions where the name is particularly concentrated, such as the Upper Rhine region, the Pfalz region, the area along the Danube river, and in some areas of Austria.
In the United States, today the Egger surname is most strongly concentrated around the states of Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. These regions were popular immigrant destinations for German-speaking Swiss people at the turn of the last century. There are also some Eggers living in Arizona, California, Nebraska, and Texas.
The Egger surname is also found to a lesser extent in countries such as Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Colombia. All of these countries accepted migrants from Europe who bore the Egger surname, or had descendants from those migrants who spread the name further.
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the last name Egger is spreading to countries outside of Europe, North and South America, and Canada. Although descending from European roots, descendants of Eggers now live around the entire world.
Variations of the surname Egger
The surname Egger has several variants, spellings and other surnames of the same origin. The most common variants include Eggers, Ecger, Eckers, Egge, Eger, Ekere, Eguere, and Eggeren, among other variations.
The surname likely originated from the German word 'egger', which means 'edge'. This likely refers to someone who lived near a river's edge, a mountain, or another geographical point of reference.
The German version of 'Egger' carried over to Switzerland where it became an occupational name for a farmer or a mountain dweller. The Dutch version of the name is 'Ecger'.
The surname Egger is found across Europe, and is especially common in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. The largest concentration of the name is found in the south of Germany, around Baden-Württemberg, for instance.
The Egger frequency map also shows the surname Egger is common in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. In France, the name is often found in the Alsace and Lorraine regions. From there, it spread to other countries in the region, including Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.
In North America, the surname Egger became one of the many names associated with immigrants who arrived in Pennsylvania and other parts of the Midwest.
In Scandinavia, the surname 'Egger' is either a spelling variant of 'Egge', 'Ek, 'Ekers' or 'Ager', all of which have similar meanings.
In sum, the Egger surname is widespread across Europe, with origins in both Germany and the Netherlands. The name is derived from the German word 'egger', meaning 'edge', and refers to someone living near a mountain or other geographical point of reference. Today, the Egger surname can be found across Europe, as well as in North America and Scandinavia.
Famous people with the name Egger
- Thomas Egger: German footballer
- Dennis Egger- German actor
- Ludwig Egger: Austrian painter
- Myriam Egger: Swiss alpine skier
- Werner Egger: Austrian economist
- Alexander Egger: German doctor
- Hans Peter Egger: German historian
- Claire Egger: American TV presenter
- Werner Egger: Austrian amateur astronomer
- Dominic Egger: Swiss actor
- Magdalena Egger: Austrian businesswoman
- Albin Egger-Lienz: Austrian painter
- Katharina Egger: Austrian female footballer
- Markus Egger: Austrian footballer
- Jörg-Uwe Egger: German musician
- Joachim Egger: German sculptor
- Andreas Egger: Austrian doctor
- Dieter Egger: German football manager
- Jürgen Egger: Austrian alpine skier
- Gregor Egger: German basketball player