Surname Unter - Meaning and Origin
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Unter: What does the surname Unter mean?
The last name Unter is a German surname derived from a word meaning "under" or "below". It can refer to a person who was physically or socially "under" someone else, indicating a lower class or status. It is also likely that Unter was used as an occupational surname for someone who was a servant of some kind or a guard of some kind.
The surname Unter appears mainly in Germany and Austria, with additional notable, smaller concentrations in Switzerland, France, and Hungary. The earliest known record of this surname appears in the 13th century documents from Leitbah, Germany. The name Unter can appear in a variety of spellings, including Unter, Unters, Oenters, Oonters, and Oonter.
Heraldry is popular among those with the last name Unter. It symbolizes two crossed keys beneath shields or armory. This particular coat of arms likely originated in the German region of Bavaria.
Historically, the Unter family is associated with wealth and power, having held esteemed positions within their community and nobility. One direct descendent, Friedrich von Unter, held a high post during the ruling of Emperor Rudolf II.
Today, the surname Unter remains common in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. People with this surname often have professions in administration, finance, and law.
Order DNA origin analysisUnter: Where does the name Unter come from?
The surname Unter is most commonly found in Germany, the former East Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. This surname originated in the German region of Swabia, which is located in Bavaria. It's thought to have adopted multiple spellings, including Unser and Unter, over the centuries. The name is derived from the German word "under," which can mean below or among.
In Germany, the surname is primarily concentrated in Bavaria and around the city of Stuttgart along the Neckar river. It is also common in some northern regions of the former East Germany. Austria, and the Vorarlberg region of Austria in particular, are regions with a high early density of surnames and many of them are still commonly found today.
Outside of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, the last name Unter can be found in some countries where German speaking people have emigrated to. This includes the United States, Canada, and South America. In the US, the name Unter is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, followed by New York and Ohio.
Overall, Unter remains a common surname in Germany, former East Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and parts of the United States, Canada, and South America. It also has multiple spellings, all stemming from its original German meaning.
Variations of the surname Unter
The Unter surname can have several variants, spellings, and related surnames due to alternate spellings or regional differences in spelling. Some variations of the Unter name include Unterr, Unterh, Unterf, Unthaler, Oundt, Unthöber, Unterl, Unterhaler, Unteregger, Unther, Unterschuster, Unterler, Untersberger, Under, Uinther, Endrer, and Oundth.
The “Unter” prefix of the surname has its roots in the German language meaning “under” or “below”. Historically, the Unter name was used as an occupational surname for people who worked in areas such as animal husbandry, woodworkers, stonecutters, brewers, or other occupations requiring constant labor under the surface or underground. Over time, spelling differences have resulted in the numerous variations of the name.
Variations of the Unter surname can be found throughout Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and other parts of Europe. In the Middle Ages, members of the Unter family were scattered throughout cities such as Munich, Stuttgart, and Berlin. As a result, its variants and spellings have spread to other parts of the world including the Americas and Australia today.
The various spellings, surnames, and variants of Unter are all connected through a single origin, making it an incredibly familial and far-reaching name.
Famous people with the name Unter
- Eva Unter, French-Italian actress
- Dr. Unter, fictional character in the TV show "House, M.D."
- Irene Unter, German-American actress
- Clifford Unter, American businessman
- Mark Unter, American television producer
- Michael Unter, German politician
- Paul Unter, American-German filmmaker
- Yoni Unter, Israeli politician
- Yohai Unter, Israeli software engineer
- Aleksandra Unter, Russian fashion designer
- Tzipporah Unter, psychologist and rabbi
- Celine Unter, French singer/songwriter
- Efraim Unter, Austrian sculptor
- Malgorzata Unter, Polish-born chef
- Magnus Unter, German composer
- August Unter, Austrian poet and playwright
- Bruce Unter, American entrepreneur
- Christian Unter, German actor
- Deborah Unter, American author
- Jacob Unter, American attorney