Surname Enger - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'E'
Enger: What does the surname Enger mean?
The surname Enger is of German origin and it is derived from a topographic name for someone who lived in a narrow valley or on a narrow strip of land, from Middle High German "enger", meaning "narrow". It originated from regions that were deeply influenced by the Germanic tribes. These names are often related to places, geographical features, or occupations. So, the name Enger can also indicate that the person or their ancestors were from a place called Enger in Germany. The city of Enger itself is located in the Herford district in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. However, when attributing meanings to surnames, it's important to remember that many last names have evolved or changed meanings over centuries and may not reflect the original connotation perfectly.
Order DNA origin analysisEnger: Where does the name Enger come from?
The surname Enger is of German origin. It was first found in Westphalia, a region in western Germany. The name is derived from the Middle Low German word "enger", which means narrow, indicating that the initial bearer lived in a narrow or small place. The name has also been associated with the Old English word "ing" or the Old High German word "inga", referring to a deity worshiped by the Scandinavian and Germanic people, thus suggesting a person belonging to the cult of Ing.
Today, it is quite common in the country of its origin, Germany. Apart from Germany, the surname has spread to other parts of the world through emigration. It has a notable presence in the United States, Norway, and Canada. Following the patterns of migration, it is likely that individuals bearing this surname can be found in areas of these countries where German immigrants historically settled.
Variations of the surname Enger
The surname Enger might have various spelling variations including Enger, Engers, Engert, Engere, Eenger, Ingger and Engger due to regional variations and phonetic spellings over time. It's a patronymic surname, meaning it's derived from the name of a father or ancestor, often used in the northern parts of Germany, Austria, and possibly Scandinavian countries like Norway and Denmark. The first syllable "En" or "Ing" can suggest it has Germanic or Nordic roots relating to the name Ingo or Inge meaning "guarded by Ing (a Germanic god)" and the second part "ger" indicated someone who waged war, making it a warrior's name. However, surnamedb.com suggests it could also be a habitational surname or topographic for people living in a meadow or pasture, derived from the Old English word "eng".
Similar sounding surnames, but of potentially different origin, might be found in English (Anger, Singer) or Dutch (Slinger). Another variant could include the surname Engler. Surnames sharing the same first few characters such as Engel, Engels, and Engelmann may have different etymologies. Researching the history and distribution of a surname can clarify its specific origin.
Famous people with the name Enger
- Leif Enger: An American author best known for his novel "Peace Like a River."
- Lin Enger: American author known for his novels “The High Divide” and “Undiscovered Country”. He is also the brother of Leif Enger.
- Hege Riise: Norwegian, born Hege Enger, she is a former professional footballer and one of the most capped players for Norway. Post retirement, she's had a successful career as a football coach.
- Trygve Slagsvold Vedum: Born Trygve Slagsvold Enger, he's a Norwegian politician and leader of the Centre Party.
- Joachim Enger: A computer gamer from Norway who became famous playing Age of Empires under the nickname "Joe".
- Kay Enger: A professional German footballer currently playing for Berliner AK 07. These are not exhaustive list and there may be more professionals and prominent personalities with the surname Enger, especially in the field of academics, politics, and sports in Scandinavian countries.