Surname Untergehrer - Meaning and Origin
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Untergehrer: What does the surname Untergehrer mean?
Untergehrer is a German surname which derives from the word 'Untergeher', meaning 'undergoer'. This term refers to someone who was put in a subordinate position, either as a tenant on an estate or a servant in a larger household.
The Untergehrer surname can be found throughout Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and other areas in Europe with a German-speaking population. The Untergehrer surname often had a strong regional presence in Switzerland, particularly the canton of Bern; however, it also extended all the way to Germany.
In mediaeval times, Untergehrer would have held a variety of positions, including those of servants in larger houses or tenant farmers who worked the land of a lord. As a result, the Untergehrer surname was quite common among the European peasantry of the time.
The Untergehrer surname is still seen today throughout Europe and the United States, with many families having descendants who have emigrated in search of a better life. As such, the Untergehrer name is often seen among international German-American communities as well.
The term Untergehrer may also be used to refer to the relationship between a landlord and his tenant, or a master and his servant, continuing to this day. Thus, the term can often evoke memories of the past feudal class structure and of those who were put in positions of subordination.
Order DNA origin analysisUntergehrer: Where does the name Untergehrer come from?
The Untergehrer surname is most commonly found in the German-speaking areas of Europe today. The highest concentrations of the families that bear this surname can be found in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein. It is also possible to find people with this last name in other countries, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and South Africa, thanks to migrations over the centuries.
In more recent times, Untergehrer has also been adopted by some non-German speaking families, such as those in Montenegro, Croatia, and Serbia, as well as in Quebec, Canada. All of these families were likely of German heritage, having taken the Untergehrer surname from a family ancestor who had emigrated from Germany at some point in the past.
The origin of the Untergehrer surname is believed to be derived from the Middle High German words "unter," meaning "under," and "gehör" meaning "guardian" or "guardanship." Thus, it is believed that the surname was given to the heads of noble families who were guardians over some kind of property, land or possession in the region. Over time, it is likely that the descendants of these guardians adopted the surname as their own, leading to widespread use of the name.
Variations of the surname Untergehrer
The surname Untergehrer has several variants, spellings and related surnames, all of which have the same origin. These include Untergerger, Undergager, Öndergröer, Ondergager, Ondergehrer, Ontergerger, Undgerger, Untergröer, Untergröer, Untergruner, Untergrunder, Unterhager, Unterhager, and Unterhehrer.
The origin of the name is both German and Swiss German, with spelling variations originating in these two areas. It is believed that the name "Untergehrer" is derived from a Germanic personal name "Gehrer," composed of the elements "gehra," meaning "spear" or "lance," and "hari," meaning "army," or "warrior."
The German surname Untergehrer is found in records from as early as the 13th century, with one Andreas unter der gehrer recorded in Burgundy in 1230. In the 16th century, the name could be found in documents from various parts of the country. In Swabia, Johannes Untergerger was recorded in 1562, and in Palatinate Johann Untergröer was listed in 1599. Additionally, Peter Ondergager was recorded in the censuses of Wurttemburg in 1626.
Due to its multiple variations, variations and related surnames, Untergehrer has a widely dispersed surname in both Germany and Switzerland. Records of the Untergehrer surname can be found across the globe, but is most prominent across the United States, Germany and Switzerland.
Famous people with the name Untergehrer
- Tim Untergehrer: a Dutch musician, singer-songwriter, composer, and producer.
- Claudia Untergehrer: a former German high jumper.
- Roger Untergehrer: a German Olympic sailor who participated in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
- Joachim Untergehrer: a German trap shooter who competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
- Olaf Untergehrer: a former German badminton player who participated the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
- Maria Untergehrer: a former German sprinter who competed at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
- Sonja Untergehrer: a ski mountaineering competitor from Austria.
- Harry Untergehrer: an Austrian ice hockey player who represented Austria at the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo.
- Arnost Untergehrer: a Czechoslovakian cross country skier who participated in the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo.
- Henry Untergehrer: an Austrian-American architect and sculptor.