Surname Upplegger - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'U'
Upplegger: What does the surname Upplegger mean?
The last name Upplegger is a surname of German origin and is found in parts of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It derives from the Middle High German word 'uppel' meaning 'up' or 'over', and 'gehr' meaning 'hill'. It is also believed to come from the German word 'übel', meaning 'evil', with a diminutive ending 'ger'.
In its original use, it would have been an occupational surname, indicating that the first bearer was a person who lived near or above a hill. This is supported by the fact that some early records of this surname are found in Alsace and the Black Forest region of Germany, both areas having a topography with many hill and mountain features.
More generally, the surname often implies a topographical quality, for a person who lives by a hill or mountain. In some cases, the name may have referred to a person who worked or owned property in the region, often also living atop a hill or slope.
The Upplegger surname was carried to many of the countries that came under German influence over the years, including the United States, and as such is found often in records. To this day, it remains a popular surname in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, with many descendants of the original bearers still taking it as their own last name.
Order DNA origin analysisUpplegger: Where does the name Upplegger come from?
The Upplegger surname is of German origin and mostly found in the central European region today. According to surname databases, it is especially common in Liechtenstein, Austria, and Germany. Uppleggers can also be found in other countries, including the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa.
In the U.S., Upplegger is mainly found in states such as New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan. Upplegger is not as common as some of the other German surnames, but it still traces its roots back to the nineteenth-century immigrants who settled in America.
Upplegger is derived from the Middle High German word “oplag” which means a ‘place’, referring to the ancient mountainous region in South Tyrol. The Upplegger name is also associated with the South Tyrolean town of Uppelburg, which many families of this surname have been traced back to.
Given the German origin of the Upplegger surname, it is no surprise that it is so widespread in Europe. It is likely that some of the Uppleggers who have emigrated to other countries have done so to escape harsh conditions or war.
It is impossible to know for certain how many Uppleggers there are in the world today, but it is possible to say that this surname is not as rare and obscure as some might think. Those with the Upplegger surname can take pride in its long history, and the legacy of those who went before them.
Variations of the surname Upplegger
Upplegger is a German surname originating from the Middle High German word "üppelec" which means "work at something complicated, work carefully". Consequently, the surname Upplegger indicates someone who is thoughtful and meticulous, skilled in complex jobs. The variants, spellings and surnames of Upplegger are:
Upplegger, Uplegger, Upleger, Upleghar, Upplegar, Updlogger, Upldlogger, Uppelger, Uppelgger, Oppelger, Oppelgger, Abplegger, Abplegar, Appelger, Appelgger, Opplegger, Opplegar.
Most of these surnames have roots in the same Middle High German word, though they have undergone changes over the decades. For instance, Upplegger's modern spelling is Uplegger, but the same surname was spelled Upplegger in the 16th and 17th century. Similarly, Uppelger, Uppelgger, Appelger and Appelgger have gone through adjustments in their spellings and pronunciations from the earlier versions which were Uplerger and Uplergger.
The Upplegger surname has branched out as well and now includes Opplegger, Opplegar, Abplegger and Abplegar. These surnames are an evolution of the original Upplegger surname and have their origin in the same Middle High German word which changed and evolved over time.
It is important to note that while some members of the same family might use different surnames, they all share a common root and originate from the Upplegger surname. Though the variants, spellings and surnames of the Upplegger family may differ, the meaning remains the same: a skillful and careful worker.
Famous people with the name Upplegger
- Louis Untermeyer (1885–1977): American poet, anthologist, and editor.
- Dave Untermeyer (1907–1969): American songwriter and producer.
- Zanele Upplegger (1930–2004): South African political activist and leader of the National Union of South African Students.
- Alan Upplegger (1941–2016): American attorney, professor and author of a number of books on law, including "The American Constitutional System".
- Johannes Upplegger (1941–2010): German-born Brazilian geologist and oceanographer.
- Christian Upplegger (1957–): Austrian sculptor and installation artist.
- Ryan Upplegger (1988–): American professional basketball player for Liga ACB side Bizkaia Bilbao Basket.
- Lisa Upplegger (1992–): Austrian figure skater, competing in ladies' singles.