GERMAN FAMILY NAME CHANGES
SOURCE; HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
BY W.W. H. Davis, 1876
and alot of great people sending in their names
Sept. 28, 1999
For your records, my g.g.grandfather changed his surname
of Heymann to Heyman upon immigration to the U.S.
Hartkemp@aol.com
Becky
Sept. 28, 1999
My husband is descended from a family with the
name of HOBLIT - some of them called themselves HOBLET. Family
tradition said that they were Irish - until more research came up with
the info that the original immigrant, who was from Alsace-Lorraine
(while it was part of Germany), was named JOHANNES MICHAEL
HABLUTZEL - quite a change! He came before the RW with his
family and settled in PA and KY - the offspring later settled primarily
in IL.
Marlyn Duff
New Berlin, WI
MJD62@aol.com
MJD
Sept. 28, 1999
My Roszhart was originally Rosßhardt in Germany. Although 2nd
ggrandfather left a lot of info here in states name couldn't be traced
to Germany until found out abt spelling change then found 2 cousins in
Germany through the German White pages (in English of course)!
Grandma Grazencia Dierberger Roszhart's birth name was Crecentia. Here
in US spelling was changed to Grazencia which is on her tombstone.
Dierberger may have been Tierberger. (Still working on that!)
Franciscus, Francisco, Sisco, Sesco all the same family. From Germany.
Glad to see this list and have bookmarked! Will come back often!
Sharon
June 1, 1999
My 3rd great Grandfather was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania with the
family name EIRICH or EYRICH. I have also seen it spelled IRICK, IRICH,
EURICK, and EYRICK. When he was a adolescent and moved to Monroe County,
Michigan (1855)he decided to change his name. So James D. EIRICH became
James ERY. I guess he thought that it was easier to spell. So if you
should ever meet anyone with the name ERY they descend from the Pennsylvania
EIRICH's. Just thought you would like to know. Thanks for the site!
Karen
June 1, 1999
Great site, tiana! My German ancestors changed their surname from Georg
to Yearick when they moved from Lehigh Co, PA to Centre Co, PA.
tspring
May 31, 1999
Another name change that I have in my family is DRESSLER became TRESSLER in
Pennsylvania around the 1850's. There are more versions of this name but I
don't have the list at the moment. I will update it as soon as I get it
from a fellow Tressler Researcher.
Lisa
May 26, 1999
Thought you might be able to add this to your web page:
My 3rd great Grandfather was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania with the
family name EIRICH or EYRICH. I have also seen it spelled IRICK, IRICH,
EURICK, and EYRICK. When he was a adolescent and moved to Monroe County,
Michigan (1855)he decided to change his name. So James D. EIRICH became
James ERY. I guess he thought that it was easier to spell. So if you
should ever meet anyone with the name ERY they descend from the
Pennsylvania EIRICH's. Just thought you would like to know. Thanks for
the site!
Karen
Mar. 9, 1999
My Rowe's were changed from Row, Rau and Rauh, they came from
the Palintate area in Germany. First Row over was George Row, Jacob Row
changed the spelling in my line, tho his brother's went and changed their
names to Rau and Rauh, and some kept the Row. George Row came over on the
ship Phoenix in 1754.
My Bordner's were originally Bortner and Burtner. Balthaser Bortner came
over on the ship Adventure from the Palintate area in 1732. Also have
Casselman which was changed from Castleman.And Vandergrif's, which was
changed from VanDerGriffith.
Would be interested in hearing from anyone with any of these lineage's.
Mar. 30, 1999
Kulske was spelled in Germany changed to Kuelske in the US
Wilhelm Frederick kulske had son named Wilhelm Frederick Kuelske The lst
Wilhelm Frederick's father listed simply as Wm Kulske on US records
This is all for same family in the same cty of Michigan where lst and 2nd
Wilhelm Frederick died. They were from Barminskuenow as far as known.
Interested in corresponding with any!! that have this name.
EELSPETH
Mar. 9, 1999
My Rowe's were changed from Row, Rau and Rauh, they came from the Palintate
area in Germany. First Row over was George Row, Jacob Row changed the
spelling in my line, tho his brother's went and changed their names to Rau
and Rauh, and some kept the Row. George Row came over on the ship Phoenix
in 1754.
My Bordner's were originally Bortner and Burtner. Balthaser Bortner came
over on the ship Adventure from the Palintate area in 1732. Also have
Casselman which was changed from Castleman.And Vandergrif's, which was
changed from VanDerGriffith.
Would be interested in hearing from anyone with any of these lineage's.
Thanks,
lidymae
Mar. 9, 1999
When my German parent's entered the US via New York in 1953 the name
Bra:uler (the a: denotes an a with an umlaut) was changed to Braeuler.
Ralph
Mar. 6, 1999
In interest to different ways of spelling americanized german names I would
like to add two of my own families..
Biedler to Beidler to Beydler
Dierdorff to Deirdorff to Deardorf
I hope this may clear up a little bit of confusion when trying to research
these particular German families.
Taylors
Feb. 16, 1999
Hi, I would like to add to your list. Mohn, changed to Moon when they got
to Ohio from Pa. Other spellings are Moan, Mowen, Mon, Munn, Mun, Mowan,
Monn,Showalter- originally Schowanwaldren. Other derivations are Shewalter,
Schowalter, Schewalter, and we think Scwalter is another one.
Joan
Jan. 18, 1999
Would you be interested in my family surname - OVERMIER. The original German
was OBERMAYER and there are several variations of this spelling to:
Obermeyer, Obermyer, Overmeyer, Overmyer, and Overmier. There are even some
that spell it Overmire. It is very confusing when working on the family
history. I have no idea when or why it was changed and some branches of the
family never changed the spelling.
MSmith
Jan. 18, 1999
Original Swiss spelling: Kislig
With some of the family moving out of Switzerland the name changed
Wuerttemberg, Germany - 1550 to today Kissling ( the "ss" is the German
sharp S" and the "ss" - both spellings used today in Winterlingen, Baden
Wuerttemburg.Bavaria and Saxony, Germany - 1600's to today: Kiessling
after two brothers arrived in Philadelphia on the ship Fane (Oct 1749) the
name was recorded as Kisling, Kistlinger, Kissinger (actually a daughter of
one of the immigrants married a "real" Kissinger), Kessenger, Kessling,
Kiesling, Kieslinger, etc.descendants migrated to VA after the Rev. War -
name spelling found in the records there include Kissling, Kisling, Kesling,
Keesling early 1800's some of the family migrated to western OH and
east-central IN and we find Keasling and Kesling added to the list.
My mother's branch used the Keesling spelling exclusively after the Civil
War.The branch of the family which settled in TN used the spelling Keisling.
Keith Smith
Elkhart, IN
Keith
Jan.18, 1999
Our German name was originally Bouderman. During the Civil War, it was
shortened to Boudman and then my grandmother dropped the "o" out on their
marriage certificate, thus making my name Budman.
Thanks for some nice work.
Ron
Dec. 29, 1998
I would like to add these German to English surnames to your list--
Oltermann to Alderman
Ott to Utt
Steinbruchel to Steinbruch to Stainbrook or Steinbrook
Blum to Bloom
Dietrich to Diederich
Beth
Oct. 25, 1998
Hi, My Husband's ancesters were from Germany and came over on the ship
St.Andrew Galley in 1732. His 6th.G.Grandfathers name was Johann Gerhardt
Huebschman. I have found the spelling under Gebhardt Huebschman also. The
ue in Huebschman sounds like"i" and has since been changed to that spelling
by his Grandfather and on down the family now.
Thank you Sharon Menk.
Sharon
Sept. 18, 1998
Found some interesting name changes in the book "Historic Easton".
Dammer
became Tammer and later Tomer
Schubmann
was changed to Shipman
Brechbiel
turned into Brakely
Keuster turned
into Kessler, village of Kesslerville in Plainfield was
named after the Kesslers.
Monroe Bounty
Kesslers became Custard
Ohio "Kesslers"
became Custar, the noted military leader General Custer
was one of this branch.
Rothenberger became
Rosenberger, Roseberger, Rosenberg, Roseberry.
Pa. Genealogy Josephine
Sept. 28, 1998
My 4th Great Grandfather, Jacob KESTENHOLTZ was born in Sissach, Switz.
He migrated to Berks County, PA in 1738. In the middle 1760's in Berks
County tax records the name was changed to CHESNUTWOOD.
Cmark
Sept. 22, 1998
RANDOLF - The earliest record of my German ancestors that I have found
(1700's) shows them as RANDOLF. This changed to RANDORF in early
1800's. Some German cousins think the ancestors were originally
RANDOLPH and came to Germany from England.
In any case, we have probably gone full circle because the Australian
descendants changed it to RANDOLPH.
Warren Randolph, Brisbane Australia
wrandolph@mail.com
Warren
Sept. 14, 1998
In Germany the spelling was Richert, entering Pennsylvania
>the spelling became Richardt.
>
>Also Reich in Pennsylvania became Rich in Traverse City,
>Michigan. I have a few names if any one is interested.
A Richardt
Sept. 12, 1998
German-Suenkel
American-Sinkle
Came to US from Wurtemberg and ended up in Franklin County,MO
Melissa
Sept. 12, 1998
My grandfather's ancestor's originated in England, and spelled their
name BEADLE. After several generations, living in Cecil County, MD.,
they went to BIDDLE. Our family has been living in Centre County, PA
for many years. I'm looking for any connection to the following names:
ROSS - BELL - MUSSER - BIDDLE - REED - MC CLELLAN - CROFT - SHAWLEY
Janet
Thanks, Janet (Biddle) McClellan
Sept. 12, 1998
My grandmother's ancestors spelled their name MOSER, when leaving
Wurtenburg, Germany. They later changed to MOSSER and then to MUSSER,
ending up in the Centre County, Pennsylvania area.
Janet
July 4, 1998
thanks Marie!
My grandmother told me her father was a Berlin carpenter who came to
Philadelphia with the name Koelzer, but her maiden name was Kelser.
Marie
June 13, 1998
thanks Mark!
My first ancestor from Germany was Johanes Schwerdle. The surname was
changed to Swartley. I'm now trying to find out where he came from in
Germany. I hear it was Baden.
Mark
-Mark Swartley
May 31, 1998
Thanks Lorna!
This information comes from Tombaugh History,by Reno G. Tombaugh. This was
the last spelling used by my great grandfather Aaron in Miami Co IN. His
ancestors spelled the name (first appearing in PA records 1728) variously
Dambach,Danbach,Danbaugh,Danbog,Dombaugh,Donbach,Donbock,Donbog,Donboig,
Tanbach,Tannbach,Tombough,Tombuch,Tompoh,Tonnbaugh.
From his entry into the country on the ship Albany,September of 1728,Hans
Jakob Donbog followed through church records, land transactions,wills,
the name changes untill 1742,then according to this book stays Tombaugh,
as it is today.
Lorna June Whitmyre Thomas
Lorna
May 23, 1998
Thanks Sue!
My family came from Rhadereistedt, Germany - Lower Saxony
The name in Germany was KONEKEN and variation or changes are KOHNKEN and
KINKEN.
Sue Kohnken-French
May 23, 1998
Thanks Connie!
I am a descendant of Peter SCHROEDER from Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. I
found your web site through the mention of it on the Schleswig-Holstein
ROOTS-digest mailing group. My family changed the spelling of our last
name upon reaching the United States by removing the E in the middle. My
maiden name, therefore, is SCHRODER. Hope this helps.
Connie
May 9, 1998
Thanks!
Suhr is the german spelling, but it was changed to Suehr.
J. Tasz
May 9, 1998
Thanks Donald!
Ostertag to Easterday
Fluck to Fluke
Chateau which is french to (German) Schatto to Shatto and Shattow plus
many others.
Donald
KEIFLE OR ALTSHEFUL -I'd like to know if the surnames of KEIFLE or
AULTSHEFFUL has changed to any other names. I've been looking for these
namesand I'm not having any luck.
Thank You Brenda
Brenda Frazier
SAUNTMAN -???QUESTION: ANYONE KNOW WHERE THE NAME SAUNTMAN MIGHT HAVE
ORIGINATED, IS IT A GERMAN NAME?
A noticeable feature in connection with the Germans of this
country is the great change that has taken place in the spelling of
family names. In some instances the German original is almost lost
in the present name, and the identity can only be traced with difficulty.
As follows:
Mr. William J. Buck, of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania kindly
prepared for us the following list of changes in the names of German
families in this country
Who would expect these changes:
New (America) Old (Germany)
Allem "from" Ahlum
Amey Emig or Emich
Applebach Afflerbach
Arnold Arnoldt
Bartholomew Barteleme
Beans from Beihn
Bishop Bischoff
Black
and
Swartz Schwartz
Brown Braun
Buck Bock
Calf Kolb
Cassel Kassel
Clymer
or Clemmer Klemmer
Deal Diehl
Emery Emrich
Everhart Eberhardt
Fisher Fischer
Fraley Froehlich
Frankenfield Franckenfeldt
Fulmer Folmer
Funk Funck
Fox Fuchs
Godshalk Gotschalk
Gruver Gruber
Harwick Harwich
Heaney Heinich
Heck Hecht
High Hoch
Hinkle Hinckle
Keyser Keiser
Kindy Kindigh
King Konig
Kline Klein
Knight Knecht
Leidy Leidigh
Lock Loch
Meyers Meyer or Moyer
Mickley Michele
More
or Moore Mohr
Miller Muller
Nonamaker Nonnemacher
Overpeck Oberbeck