Surname Fettmilch - Meaning and Origin
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Fettmilch: What does the surname Fettmilch mean?
Fettmilch is a German surname derived from the nickname “Fettmilch,” which translates to “grease milk.” This name likely originated as a descriptive nickname for someone’s profession, as Fettmilch was also the name of a 15th century beverage made of milk and fat.
The Fettmilch surname is more prominently associated with the 15th- and 17th-century Frankfurt which was led by a man namedVorsteher (Mayor) Fettmilch. He was elected to lead by popular vote and was soon elected as the leader of a council that ran the city. After his death, his sons led a revolt in the city, in what is now known as the Fettmilch Uprising or Fettmilch Rebellion. The Fettmilchs sought to overthrow the wealthy Jewish and Austrian merchants who were taking advantage of the city’s debt burden. Although the uprising was eventually quashed, it remains an important part of Frankfurt’s history.
The name Fettmilch is still in use today as both a surname and a first name. However, the most common use is to refer to the beverage, or to point to the Fettmilch Rebellion and the legacy of the Fettmilch family in Frankfurt.
Order DNA origin analysisFettmilch: Where does the name Fettmilch come from?
The surname Fettmilch is relatively rare, but it does have a few places of origin and current dwellers. The name originated in Germany, likely in the areas around Wuerzburg and Frankfurt in Bavaria. Families with the last name Fettmilch can also be found in Austria, Lithuania, and parts of the United States, such as New York.
Today, there are still some Fettmilch families living in the area around Wuerzburg, many of whom are still involved in the country's agricultural sector. There are also descendents of Fettmilch families now living in other parts of the world.
Most of the Fettmilch families in the United States are descended from the original German family. It is likely that much of the German Fettmilch family emigrated to the United States in the mid-1800s.
The Fettmilch family has a long and storied history, dating back to the 14th century when the name first came to prominence. The family's most famous descendent was Jacob Fettmilch, a leader of a revolution in 1612 against the wealthy nobility in Frankfurt who were taking advantage of the poorer classes.
Ultimately, the Fettmilch family is still an active presence in Germany and Europe, and its descendents can be found throughout the world.
Variations of the surname Fettmilch
Fettmilch is a German/Jewish surname with variants that include Fett/Fat, Fette, Fitt, Fetten, Fitten, and Feitmilch. Other spellings include Fettmulch, Fettmuehl, Fettmile, Feitmulch, Feitmuehl, Feitmile, Vetmulch, Vetmuehl, Vetmile, Vettmulch, Vettmuehl and Vettmile.
The origins of the surname are unclear, with some sources indicating that it originated in Bavaria, while other suggest it arose in Austria. It is possible that it may have derived from an occupational nickname, or a nickname that referred to someone's physical appearance or character.
The surname is commonly found in areas in Germany where Jews used to modulated the spelling of surnames in an attempt to fit in and remain somewhat inconspicuous. Common cities and towns where the name can be found are Wurzburg, Frankfurt, and Offenbach, amongst others. It may also have been adopted in some cases to mask a non-Jewish, more ethnic-sounding surname.
The Fettmilch family is famous for its prominent position in the academic world, having been celebrated as academics in a number of fields, including philosophy, law, education, science, and medicine. In addition, members of the family have achieved success as entrepreneurs, politicians, and writers.
Famous people with the name Fettmilch
- Johann Valentin Fettmilch (1616–1616), German baker and rebel
- Friedrich Fettmilch (1590–1613), German baker and rebel leader
- Ernest Fettmilch (1845–1918), German industrialist, co-owner of Fettmilch's Pulverfabrik
- Max Fettmilch (1846–1905), German industrialist, co-owner of Fettmilch's Pulverfabrik
- Eveline Fettmilch (1864–1926), American silent film actress
- Isaac “Ike” Fettmilch (1890–1968), American film and television actor
- Tobias Fettmilch (1861–1931), German composer and actor
- Carl Fettmilch (1901–1985), American-German author and film critic
- Franz Fettmilch (1793–1868), German printmaker
- Agathe Fettmilch (1854–1926), German photographer