Surname Vogelsanger - Meaning and Origin
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Vogelsanger: What does the surname Vogelsanger mean?
The last name Vogelsanger is of German origin and refers to a person who was a ‘singer of birds’. Vogel is the German word for ‘bird’ and sanger is a noun meaning ‘singer’; thus the literal English translation is ‘bird singer’.
At one time, there were some individuals in ancient Germany who were known for their songbird breeding. These people were often referred to as Vogelsangers and they specialized in producing birds of high quality. They were valued by European nobility and often received royal patronage.
In modern Germany, the surname Vogelsanger is seen less often than in the past. However, it remains a recognizable indication of someone’s ancestral connection to this distinguished songbird breeding tradition. Being a Vogelsanger also carries with it a certain amount of respect and honor due to how highly these individuals were regarded in the past.
The Vogelsanger name is also quite popular in various parts of the United States due to the influx of German immigrants over the past centuries. In the U.S., the surname typically refers to the descendants of these immigrants and is seen by many as an indication of their German heritage.
Overall, the last name Vogelsanger is a reflection of a long and distinguished tradition of songbird breeding, dating back centuries. It is also a sign of strong German heritage and a reminder of these individuals’ deep connection to their ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisVogelsanger: Where does the name Vogelsanger come from?
The last name Vogelsanger is most commonly found in Germany and Austria. It is also relatively common in central and northern Europe.
According to the website Forebears, as of 2019, the last name Vogelsanger was most commonly located in the German state of Bavaria, where it ranked 787th in diregistry, with 76.2 per mille inhabitants with the name. It was also common in the states of Hessen (778th), Verien-Württemberg (863rd), Baden-Württemberg (1208th).
In Austria, Vogelsanger ranked 428th in the archillary, with 67.4 per mille inhabitants, and it was most common in the region of Vienna. Other areas of Europe where the name is quite common include Switzerland (945th), Liechtenstein (544th), and Northern Italy (830th).
The name Vogelsanger is derived from two German words: Vogel (meaning bird/fowl) and Sanger (meaning singer). Together, they imply belonging to a family of singers, or birdsong.
The Vogelsanger family name is an old one, having roots in Medieval Germanic societies. It is likely that the name originated in Austria, in a castle known as Vogelsang, where members of the Vogelsanger family owned the castle in the early 13th century. Although the descendants of the Vogelsanger family of that era have spread throughout Europe, they are still concentrated in many of the same areas today.
Variations of the surname Vogelsanger
The surname Vogelsanger has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the variants include Vogelsang, Vogelsangen, Vogelsynger, Vogelsangerter, Voglersanger, Vogelsing, Voglansanger, Vogelsænger, Vogelzanger, Vogelzang, and Vogelsangg. It has also had spelling variations due to dialectic nuances in different languages, such as Vogelsanger, Vogelsinger, Vogelsangen, Vogelsag, Vogelsangge, Vogelsänge, Vogelschanger, Vogelesanger and Vogelzanger. Examples of surnames that have evolved from the same source include Vogelsangerd, Vogelsangen, Vogelsangler, Vogelschang, Vogelschanger, Vogelsinger, Vogelsingera, Vogelsingere, Vogelsingerh, Vogelsingl, Vogelswing, Vogelswinger, Vogesanger, Vogelsangger, Vogelsanghok, Vogelsmeester, Vogelspruch, Vogelswanger, and Vogelsweg.
The name is derived from the Middle High German and Old High German word "Vogelsan" or "Vogelsang" meaning a "birdsong" or "songbird." The name was likely given to a person who sung like a songbird or was a gifted singer or vocalist. It can also have a regional difference in origin, for example, in Switzerland the surname often derived from the occupation of a professional singer. Alternately, it may have been a nickname given to a particularly cheerful or entertaining person.
Overall, the surname Vogelsanger has evolved a variety of spellings and cognates over time, giving rise to several different surnames of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Vogelsanger
- Marc Vogelsanger, Swiss rower who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics.
- Daniel Vogelsanger, American author and publisher.
- Adolf Vogelsang, German industrial executive and treasurer for Adolf Hitler.
- Catherine Vogelsang, Australian netball and basketball player.
- Margaret Vogelsang, Canadian centenarian known for her involvement in World War II.
- Jerry Vogelsang, American photographer and documentary filmmaker.
- Eduard Vogelsang, German entomologist and paleontologist.
- Barbara Vogelsang, Swiss ski mountaineer and athlete.
- Philipp Vogelsang, German financier and banker.
- Gerrit Vogelsang, Dutch painter, illustrator, and graphic designer.