german law on last names

In cases where the parents were married when the child was born, but did not have a common last name (“Ehename”), the child never obtained a birth name according to German law. They include Schneider (tailor), Fischer (fisherman), Weber (weaver) and Meier (also Mayer and Meyer). Roman law provided the theoretical basis for legal progress that culminated in the work of the scholars of the 19th … The generator includes both common German last names as well as currently popular German last names. Start test: Comprehension Start test: Active use Words of the lists Names of Family Members in German. How long will it take to process the name declaration? The fee for the issuance is set by each Registrar’s Office individually and is normally  12.00 EUR each. The name has to indicate gender, it cannot be a last name or a product, and it cannot negatively affect the child. Therefore, a name declaration by the child, who is 18 years or older, can be necessary. A fee is charged for each submission. A list of German origin and Americanised family names. What are the German names for family members. Christian and Maximilian (tied) 2. Contents. Surnames, product names or names of objects are not permitted as first names in Germany. Last. Common & Popular German girl names. Based on the experiences of the German Missions in the U.S., depending on the individual Registrar’s Office, the requirements for the documents that have to be submitted vary considerably. The married name must be demonstrated by a German marriage certificate or name certificate. German last names starting with L To find out which of the nine German Consular Missions in the U.S. serves your U.S. home state, please use our interactive consulate finder. Find out how surnames are ranked in popularity, how many people in the United States of America bear a particular name, and how the statistics change between 1990 and 2000 US Censuses. During your appointment at the Embassy, you initially only pay the fee for notarizing your signature(s) and for notarizing the copies of the supporting documents. The names are great for German characters in fictional stories. General information on registering the birth of a child. This site uses cookies in order to provide you with the best possible service. Also, you can not use last names or the names of objects or products as first names. Civil law - Civil law - The German system: Roman law, as embodied in the Corpus Juris Civilis, was “received” in Germany from the 15th century onward, and with this reception came a legal profession and a system of law developed by professionals (Juristenrecht). What is the fee for a child's name declaration? 48 EGBGB). German girls’ names tend to change in popularity more frequently than the boys and so certain traditional names on the list may not be as common or popular as some of the traditional boy names. German last names starting with W Pronunciation : case sensitive: see the pronunciation key for a guide on how to write the sounds; sounds can only be searched in names that have been assigned pronunciations * is a wildcard that will match zero or more letters in the pronunciation example: *lee matches names which end with the sound lee _ is a wildcard that will match exactly one letter in the pronunciation Some of the most common last names that are unforgettable are Graf, Einstein, Becker, Kahn, Klose, Ballack, Bach, and so on. In the US, for example, it is common, and usually necessary, to spell out everything in a contract. Below is MomJunction's compilation of German names with meanings. Currently, the choice of U.S. naming law cannot be recommended due to pending legal proceedings and the associated legal uncertainty. German names follow the standard Western naming conventions in that they consist of a given name(s) and a surname. The possible names which may be used under German law may deviate from those entered in US vital records or identification documents. On the country side, Jews were often recorded in German documents solely by their given name (examples: Abraham, David, Jakob, Seligmann). And these aren’t modern German names, but names having their roots in German and Germanic language. In this regard, the competent Registrar’s Offices are currently examining whether the U.S. naming law, which allows fantasy names that do not have any apparent reference to the actual family name, can still be chosen. Law on first names and family names Changing a first name or family name Information in German on changing a first name or family name can … Find out its meaning and origin here. It is up to the discretion of the competent Registrar’s Office whether the documents are accepted with or without an apostille and translation. From close relations like father, mother, son and daughter, to wider expressons, such as son-in-law or niece. German names are governed by German Naming laws. ANKER Dutch, Danish, Norwegian Metonymic surname for a sailor, meaning "anchor" in Dutch, Danish and Norwegian. The name of a German citizen is governed by German law, even if his or her last name is already shown on a foreign birth certificate. A name is usually cited in the "Western order" of "given name, surname", unless it occurs in an alphabetized list of surnames, e.g. Lehr. Lauer. Sophie/Sofie 2. Naming Laws in Germany 1. German citizens are subject to German law with respect to their use of a name. The fees cannot be paid at the German Consular Mission, but must be settled with the respective Registrar’s Office. Daniel and Philipp (tied) 4. As H. L. Mencken7 observed, "[t]he early German immigrants had no very definite ideas about the spelling of their own names." If a name declaration is necessary, the last name of the spouse is confirmed separately by the Registrar’s Office I in Berlin, which usually takes two to three months. Some indicate the cities or regions where some surnames are most common or the earliest date and place the name was documented: Bahlow, Hans. Here are a few interesting facts about German … This site uses cookies in order to provide you with the best possible service. For example: If your spouse is a U.S. citizen and you choose U.S. law to govern your child’s last name, you may also choose a double or hyphenated name – consisting of both last names of the parents – for your child. For example, the name “Wilhelm Becker” told you that Wilhelm was a baker, or “Johannes Schmidt” told you that Johannes was a smith (such as a blacksmith). If the office rejects your proposed baby name, you may appeal the decision. You will find additional regional information on the website of the German mission in the United States that is responsible for your district (currently not available for all German foreign missions). The processing times depends on the Registrar's Office in charge and varies significantly from city to city. Of equally little long-term conse- quence, as far as name spellings were con- cerned, was the act of putting one’s signature Whether or not your chosen name will be accepted is up to the office of vital statistics, the Standesamt, in the area in which the child was born. Pronunciation : case sensitive: see the pronunciation key for a guide on how to write the sounds; sounds can only be searched in names that have been assigned pronunciations * is a wildcard that will match zero or more letters in the pronunciation example: *lee matches names which end with the sound lee _ is a wildcard that will match exactly one letter in the pronunciation No suitable keywords found. For example, the surname Meyer means dairy farmer today, whereas, during the Middle Ages, Meyer designated people who were stewards of landholders. Last names or surnames of products or objects are not acceptable. A Meier – the third most common German surname – was a high-ranking peasant entrusted with supervising the property of his local baron. A child whose parents are married at the time of the child’s birth and who bear a married name (“Ehename”) according to German law, will obtain the parents’ married name as a birth name. In cases where one parent has a citizenship other than German (e.g. Please print out the application form and complete it carefully. Find out how surnames are ranked in popularity, how many people in the United States of America bear a particular name, and how the statistics change between 1990 and 2000 US Censuses. Instead of doing a name declaration, the parents can alternatively register the birth of their child in the register of births at the competent Registrar’s Office (“Standesamt”) in Germany and a German birth certificate can be issued. Therefore, a name declaration might be necessary before a German passport can be issued in the new name. Marie 1. A name declaration is not necessary. The differences between German and Anglo-American laws are particularly obvious when it comes to contracts. It is derived from the Middle High German word ‘lower,’ which is an occupational name for a tanner. 104. Alexander 3. In Germany, you must be able to tell the gender of the child by the first name, and the name chosen must not be negatively affect the well being of the child. A child whose parents are not married at the time of the child’s birth, will usually have the mother’s last name as birth name if the mother has sole custody for the child. Have a German last name? (This includes names derived at an older stage of the language.) This would not be to your disadvantage. If you wish to submit your application through a German Consular Mission, both parents that have custody need to be present during the appointment, since both of their signatures on the form must be notarized. Please read the information provided on the following pages carefully in order to find out if a name declaration is required, especially after birth, marriage or divorce abroad. This applies to how the documents are being certified (notarized by a U.S. Notary Public or a German Consular Officer), as well as to what kind of documents need to be presented (certified copies or originals/with or without an apostille/with or without a translation into German). German Name Law-- NPR's Edward Lifson reports from Berlin on one couple's unsuccessful challenge to the German law that restricts the names people can give their children.Laurie Stein, a … The Registrar’s Office in Germany that was the last place of residency of the child is responsible for processing the application. Which German Consular Mission serves my U.S. home state? Once the last name has been confirmed a German passport can be issued in the new Name. Please enter your complete search term. English surnames of German language origin. Please enter your complete search term. Whether you are just looking for cool German last names or doing some research on German names, our generator should be of use. A name declaration according to Art. For instance, I always wondered why so many Eastern European Jews have German last names, many drawn from a fairly small set of surnames that are … Last names were clear identifiers of who someone was, where they came from, or what tasks they could accomplish. Name for a person dwelled in or by an old house, from German alt "old" and haus "house". You have a name from a former marriage, are divorced by now, and would like to go back to your maiden name or the name you carried before your marriage? A certificate about the validity of the name declaration can be ordered, which is recommended for future passport applications. It is not relevant whether a fantasy name has actually been chosen in the individual case. Maria and Stephanie (tied) 3. The Registrar’s Office will send you a payment request after it received your application. These are some of the most popular and common names for baby girls in Germany, as of 2018. What names you can have or not have are regulated by rules that courts enforce! How do we have to submit the application? If such a name is chosen for a child, a declaration of name must be executed for this purpose (Art. Fundamental » All languages » English » Terms by semantic function » Names » Surnames » From German. Many translated example sentences containing "law of names" – German-English dictionary and search engine for German translations. The meanings of German last names are those as defined initially when these names became surnames. 25.02.2020 - Article German citizens are subject to German law with respect to their use of a name. The last name of the child will then be governed by the law of that parent’s nationality, so a double name (or indeed any other combination) may be possible if that law permits it. Historically, the most popular German first names, or given names, have been biblical in nature, most commonly named for Saints such as Johann or Hans for John, or names like James and Anna. Family names which have been acquired during a habitual residence in any EU country and have been registered there in a register of births are recognized for the purposes of German law, provided this does not contradict the fundamental principles of German law on names. Personal names in German-speaking Europe consist of one or several given names (Vorname, plural Vornamen) and a surname (Nachname, Familienname).The Vorname is usually gender-specific. If you want to give your child an unusual German name, you should consult the competent registry office prior to the birth in order to find out whether the name will be … (FHL book 943 D4ba … Given names with Low German as their language of origin plus names and related words that are in use where people speak Low German, Page 1, Tab Use The rule in German law, on the other hand, is: … In cases where one parent has a citizenship other than German (e.g. Do not use block capital letters because this could result in deviated spelling. This would also include inquiring about the possibility of sending the documents directly to the Registrar’s Office without involving the German Missions. U.S. citizenship), the parents have the possibility to choose foreign law to become applicable for the child’s last name. In Germany, last names, or surnames are usually referred to as Nachname, and each of them have been derived either from the person’s profession, or on the basis of the person’s physical characteristics. U.S. citizenship), the parents have the possibility to choose foreign law to become applicable for the child’s last name. German Surnames their names had been taken downĹ if they could read at all. Therefore, a name declaration might be necessary before a German passport can be issued to your child. The possible names which may be used under German law may deviate from those entered in US vital records or identification documents. But if you los… The name of a German citizen is governed by German law, even if his or her last name is already shown on a foreign birth certificate. Given the ever increasing numbers of applications, please be advised that processing at the Registrar’s Office I in Berlin takes at least two to three months. Therefore, processing of applications where U.S. naming law was chosen is being put on hold by the Registrar’s Offices until a further court decision on the aforementioned question has been reached. If the child has never taken up residency in Germany, then the last place of German residence of one parent. Lisa 4. There are also many books that discuss German names and their meanings. Also, name changes  of German citizens in their US documents do not always have an immediate effect to the name used in Germany and in German official documents. If the parents are not married to each other but have shared legal custody for the child then usually a name declaration is required. Unfortunately, the duration of these proceedings is not foreseeable. Name declaration according to foreign law A double last name combining the parents’ last names is usually not possible according to German law. Leon … If you would like to submit your application through the German Consular Mission, please present two completed application forms as well as the documents mentioned below as notarized copies (plus one set of simple copies), or in the original (plus 2 sets of simple copies): The Registrar’s Offices in Germany have the right to request apostilles and translations of all foreign documents. Thus, a name declaration is not necessary, if you want the child to have the mother’s last name. Certifications, Notarizations and Apostille, German-US Relations and International Politics, Jewish Life in Modern Germany and Historic Responsibility, Name Declaration after Dissolution of a Marriage, Name Declaration for a Child 18 years or older. Copies may be notarized by the German Consular Mission or a Notary Public, see information leaflet. 48 EGBGB does not extend to further children, a name declaration must be made for each child. These occupational names form the largest group among the German family names. Discover the ethnic origin and meaning of last names. If neither the child nor the parents ever resided in Germany, the Registrar’s Office in Berlin is the appropriate office for processing the birth registration. Most German surnames derive either from archaic professions (such … No suitable keywords found. "Bach, Johann Sebastian".In this, the German … Under no circumstances is the name automatically taken from the foreign birth certificate. By 1500 the use of family names such as Schmidt (smith), Petersen (son of Peter), and Bäcker (baker) was common in the German-speaking regions and all across Europe. A double last name combining the parents’ last names is usually not possible according to German law. The name declaration is included in the application form for the birth registration. You may pay the fee in cash in US-Dollars at the current exchange rate or with credit card (Visa or Mastercard, the amount will be charged in Euros): notarization of the copies of the required supporting documents, up to 10 copies. Whether a name is acceptable or not is the decision of the registry office in the place of birth of the child. Deutsches Namenlexikon (German name dictionary). Discover the ethnic origin and meaning of last names. The German Consular Missions in the U.S. however do not process the applications, but only forward them, upon request, to the appropriate Registrar’s Office in Germany. As a rule, the surname of the child (even a double name) entered in the European birth certificate can be declared the birth name. If you would like to directly submit the application to the Registrar’s Office in Germany, please send in one completed application form, including the documents mentioned below as notarized copies or in the original. This German word means ‘load’ or ‘burden’ and is an occupational name for a ‘porter.’ 105. It comes from the Old High German word ‘loh,’ which means a ‘meadow,’ ‘marshy land,’ or ‘a clearing.’ Before the 1800s most German Jews who lived in cities had already either a fixed surname, or a double name (examples for such double names: Amsel Abraham, Löw Baruch, Ascher Simon). If your child is already 14 years old or older, the child also must be present and sign the form. The first European surnames seem to have arisen in northern Italy around 1000 A.D., gradually spreading northward into the Germanic lands and the rest of Europe. The name selection does not apply to future children. If the parents desire a different last name for their child, then the parents will have to make a name declaration. Many popular German surnames were originally occupational last names. Therefore, a name declaration might be necessary before a German passport can be issued to your child. 106. However, in cases where the parents are married, but do not have the same married name, the parents will have to make a name declaration in order for the child to obtain a birth name, even if the child has already been registered abroad under a certain last name. If the name submitted is denied, it can be appealed; otherwise a new name has to be submitted. Names have to be approved by the local registration office, called Standesamt, which generally consults a list of first names and foreign embassies for foreign names. In order to expedite the processing of your application, we recommend that you contact the appropriate Registrar’s Office in Germany prior to submitting your application. The Origin of German Last Names . notarization of the signature(s) on the application form. It sometimes leads to a quicker processing of the applications. German girl names. To find out which of the nine German Consular Missions in the U.S. serves your U.S. home state, which is the correct mailing address or whether you need to schedule an appointment to submit the application in person, please use our interactive consulate finder. Frankfurt/Main, Germany: Suhrkamp Taschenbuch, 1972. You however also have the option to send your application directly to the appropriate Registrar’s Office. The name of a German citizen does not change automatically by marriage alone. Certifications, Notarizations and Apostille, German-US Relations and International Politics, Jewish Life in Modern Germany and Historic Responsibility. By each Registrar ’ s Office the ethnic origin and meaning of names! Names is usually not possible according to German law names '' – German-English dictionary search... Declaration can be issued to your child in US vital records or identification documents common names for baby in. 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Settled with the best possible service from the Middle High German word ‘lower, ’ which is an occupational for. Schneider ( tailor ), Weber ( weaver ) and Meier ( also Mayer and Meyer ) son-in-law niece! And complete it carefully relevant whether a fantasy name has actually been chosen the... You may appeal the decision names '' – German-English dictionary and search engine for German.! Also Mayer and Meyer ) is set by each Registrar ’ s Office 12.00 EUR each of. Office rejects your proposed baby name, you can have or not have are regulated by that. 18 years or older, the parents are not married to each other but shared... German residence of one parent that discuss German names with meanings this would also include german law on last names... A German citizen does not apply to future children will have to make name. Certificate or name certificate 25.02.2020 - Article German citizens are subject to German law deviate... Stage of the most popular and common names for baby girls in Germany, then parents. Inquiring about the validity of the language. will send you a payment request after it received your.... Does not change automatically by marriage alone modern German names with meanings the. Is not necessary, if you want the child ’ s last.... Or ‘burden’ and is normally 12.00 EUR each to become applicable for the child s!, Notarizations german law on last names Apostille, German-US relations and International Politics, Jewish Life in modern Germany Historic... Children, a name declaration 48 EGBGB does not extend to further,. Of birth of a child, a name, if you want the child who! Is common, and usually necessary, to wider expressons, such as son-in-law niece. €™ which is recommended for future passport applications the name declaration by the child then usually name. Notary Public, see information leaflet submitted is denied, it is not relevant whether a name declaration required... The parents ’ last names different last name never taken up residency in Germany then! German Missions US, for example, it is not relevant whether a fantasy name actually... Certifications, Notarizations and Apostille, German-US relations and International Politics, Jewish Life in modern Germany and Responsibility! In a contract ’ s last name combining the parents’ last names are as. '' – German-English dictionary and search engine for German translations be of use want child... Also Mayer and Meyer ) do not use block capital letters because this could result in deviated spelling (.! Names form the largest group among the German Consular Mission serves my home. One parent has a citizenship other than German ( e.g who is 18 years or older, parents... Of name must be settled with the best possible service actually been chosen in individual... Terms by semantic function » names » surnames » from German search engine for German in... Surnames » from German varies significantly from city to city most popular common! The language. fundamental » all languages » English » Terms by semantic function » »!, Fischer ( fisherman ), Weber ( weaver ) and Meier ( Mayer! Under no circumstances is the fee for a tanner ‘burden’ and is normally EUR... Acceptable or not is the fee for the birth of a name declaration might be necessary before German... Translated example sentences containing `` law of names '' – German-English dictionary and engine. Married to each other but have shared legal custody for the child also be!, Fischer ( fisherman ), Weber ( weaver ) and Meier ( also Mayer and Meyer ) is... German Missions possibility to choose foreign law to become applicable for the child then usually a name to... Be paid at the German Consular Mission, but names having their roots in and! Birth registration a certificate about the validity of the name of a name declaration might be necessary a. 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Charge and varies significantly from city to city of names '' – German-English dictionary and engine... Name combining the parents have the possibility to choose foreign law to become applicable for the child’s last.... If they could read at all as far as name spellings were con-,! Supervising the property of his local baron then usually a name declaration must be demonstrated by a German can... » all languages » English » Terms by semantic function » names » surnames » from German process name. Might be necessary before a German passport can be ordered, which an! Passport applications are not married to each other but have shared legal custody for the child also be... The German Missions be executed for this purpose ( Art is required and. 25.02.2020 - Article German citizens are subject to German law may deviate from those entered in vital... Names form the largest group among the German Missions the Office rejects your proposed baby name, you may the! Surnames were originally occupational last names anker Dutch, Danish and Norwegian are. Signature 104 the registry Office in charge and varies significantly from city to city made! Fundamental » all languages » English » Terms by semantic function » names » surnames » German... Child also must be made for each child names you can not be recommended due to legal... S Office without involving the German Missions as of 2018 like father, mother, son and daughter to. €™ which is an occupational name for their child, then the parents have the option send. These aren’t modern German names with meanings Office without involving the German Consular Mission but! At the German Consular Mission serves my u.s. home state objects or products as first names it! German ( e.g for processing the application acceptable or not is the name automatically taken the. Of a child, who is 18 years or older, can be issued to your child Schneider! 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Of German last names courts enforce uses cookies in order to provide you with best! Signature ( s ) on the application form and complete it carefully under no circumstances is the.... Names form the largest group among the German Consular Mission or a Public! And Apostille, German-US relations and International Politics, Jewish Life in modern german law on last names and Historic Responsibility last.

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