Surname Unverhaun - Meaning and Origin

Unverhaun: What does the surname Unverhaun mean?

The last name Unverhaun is of German origin and was derived from the phrase "Uunfer von Haunen," which translates to “from Haunen” or "of Haunen." Haunen was the name of a small German village and it was likely that the Unverhaun surname was adopted by someone or a family who was originally from this village or had otherwise been connected to it.

As with many German surnames of the era, the name likely originated from an occupational surname meaning "unfer" was a reference to someone who made leather products such as shoes or leather trinkets, while "Haunen", the ending part of the name, was the reference to the village they originally came from.

Nowadays, Unverhaun is considered a common surname in Germany and is anglicised as Unverhahn, Unverhaan, or Unverhan, depending on the spelling. It is still most commonly found in the western regions of Germany, particularly in the German region of North Rhine-Westphalia, where Haunen is located.

Like many German surnames, Unverhaun refers to immigrants who settled in German-speaking countries in the past. Its etymology is a reminder of small villages that still exist today, and the flourishing of the German language and culture that was carried by those who chose to migrate.

Unverhaun: Where does the name Unverhaun come from?

The last name Unverhaun is most commonly found in Germany today. Records show that it traces back to the 1600s, when it was first found in the Westphalia area of Germany. It is a German surname originating from the Old German "Hunroverh" meaning "armed fighter".

Unverhaun is one of the most common surnames found in Germany today. According to the German international genealogy website Shtetlink, it is the 8th most common surname in Germany overall. It is particularly common in North Rhine-Westphalia, where it is the 4th most frequently found surname. It is also found in the states of Hesse, Bavaria, and Saxony-Anhalt.

The Unverhauns who emigrated in the 19th century to the United States also established themselves mainly in the Midwest, with a concentration in Wisconsin. Population statistics show that there were over 1000 people living in the U.S. by the early 20th century who were descended from the original German Unverhauns.

In the United States today, the Unverhaun surname is most frequently found in Wisconsin, followed by Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota. The Unverhaun name is still relatively rare in the U.S., however, with fewer than 4000 individuals.

The Unverhaun family continues to be well established in Germany, dating back to the middle ages. It is still relatively common in parts of the country, and a number of Unverhaun descendants can also be found in the United States.

Variations of the surname Unverhaun

The Unverhaun surname is traced back to the 1500s when it initially appeared in Swiss records. This surname is derived from the Middle High German word "unverhant" which means "unyielding" or "resolute". Since the 1500s, the surname has evolved and changed into various forms:

Unverhahn: This is one of the most common spellings of the Unverhaun surname. It is especially common in French speaking countries and records from Saint Matthew Lutheran Church in Strasbourg, France date this spelling back to the 1600s.

Unverhaun: This is the original spelling of the surname and it is still common today in both Switzerland and surrounding countries.

Unverhown/Unverhon: This is a spelling variation found most commonly in the United States. Records show this version of the surname being used by immigrants from Switzerland in the late 1700s and early 1800s.

Unverhawn: This spelling variant is particularly predominant among American families, especially those of German descent. It is oftentimes seen in records relating to the early American colonies.

Unverhaam/Unverhaum: This spelling variation of Unverhaun is quite common in Germany. It is also often seen in records from The Netherlands. It is believed to be a Dutchized spelling of the Unverhaun surname.

Unverhoorn: This is a Dutch spelling of the Unverhaun surname. It is common throughout The Netherlands and records relating to this variant can be found dating back to the 1800s.

Unverhoot: This is a variant of Unverhaun often found in The Netherlands. It is a derivative of the spelling Unverhoorn and is a more modernized form of the original Unverhaun surname.

Unverbaun: This is an interesting variant of Unverhaun found in Switzerland and Germany. It is believed to be derived from Unverhaun, though some theories suggest that it may be a combination of the words "unable" and "fear".

Famous people with the name Unverhaun

• Andreas Unverhau, German director and singer.
• Nathaniel Unverhau, Amsterdam-based experimental rapper.
• Helga Unverhau, German sprint skier.
• Anton Unverhau, German historian and professor.
• Michael Unverhau, German World War Two veteran.
• Dorothea Unverhau, German Prime Minister of Schleswig-Holstein.
• Bernard Unverhau, German mathematician and physicist.
• Hermann Unverhau, German theologian.
• Marco Unverhau, German athlete and tennis cricketer.
• Heinrich Unverhau, German classical scholar.

Other surnames

Unverhau