Surname Jorger - Meaning and Origin

Jorger: What does the surname Jorger mean?

The last name Jorger is thought to have been derived from the Latin name Georgius, which means “farmer” or “worker of the soil”. This would suggest that the people with the last name Jorger originally worked as farmers or agricultural workers. The name itself has various spellings, including Jorgen, Jorges, Jorge, and Jorgr.

Originally, the name was used as a given name and can be found as far back as pre-Roman Germany. Later, it was used as a family name—Jorger—by people living in Germany, Austria, and other countries in the region.

Jorger is a rather rare last name in the United States, as only 68 people living in the country had it in 2021. It can also be found in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.

The Jorger family is a rather diverse group of people who have played an important role in various walks of life. From the Renaissance-era printmaker, Pieter Jorger, to the contemporary sculptor, Günther Jorger Jr., the name Jorger continues to live and add to the diversity of the world.

The name Jorger carries with it a long and proud history. Its original Latin meaning is a reminder of human connection to the land, while its modern usage consistently demonstrates the importance of hard work and perseverance.

Jorger: Where does the name Jorger come from?

The last name Jorger is most commonly found in German-speaking countries, particularly in Austria and Germany. Jorger is a toponymic surname, which means that it is derived from a place name, and is especially common in the south and southwest regions of Germany. It is also found in Luxembourg, Switzerland, Russia, and the United States.

Interestingly, the original form of Jorger was the name George, and was derived from the first element of the popular medieval name Georgii. Because Jakob, for Jacob, was the more popular form of the German name, the Georgii form became the German equivalent of the English George: Jorger (the ending -er is a diminutive).

Beginning around the 1500s, folks abided by the Dekret des Landvogt in Baden, which required travelers and immigrants to obtain a permit in order to stay in the region. This is when many of the Jorger families began appearing in official records, as they needed a surname to register with. Since it became so widespread, there are many variations of the spelling today. The most popular variations are Görger and Jörger.

Today, if you search for the last name Jorger, you will likely come away with both German and American entries. There are almost 20,000 entries in the United States alone, many of whom emigrated from German-speaking countries in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Variations of the surname Jorger

The surname Jorger is a Germanic family name, which originated from the given name "Jorg". The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include:

Jorg

Jorge

Giorge

Giorgio

George

Georg

Jorger

Jurger

Jorgen

Jorgens

Jorgensen

Yorgesen

Yorgen

Jurgens

Yurgens

Yurgenson

Jurge

Jurgeson

Jorger is primarily found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands but can also be found in other parts of Europe as well as Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

The given name Jorg is a German spelling of George and is derived from the Greek name Georgios. Jorg is also the preferred spelling in the Low German speaking area as well as in Switzerland.

The original spelling of the surname Jorger changed over time in various regions. This is due to linguistic changes, particularly when immigrants moved to English-speaking countries. For example, many immigrants changed their name from Jorger to George to better fit in with their new culture and surroundings.

The name variations resulting from the migration of people include Jurge, Jürge, Jurg, Jurgenson, Giorge, Jorge, and Georg. Some surnames, such as Jorger, Jurger, Jorgen, Jorgensen, Yorgesen, and Yorgen, retain the original spelling.

It is believed that the surname derived from the personal name Jorger, which is composed of two Frankish elements, jugo ‘yoke’ + ger ‘spear’ or, alternatively, it could have derived from the Old Norse personal name Jórr, from Jór ‘horse’.

Famous people with the name Jorger

• Karl Jorger: A German wrestler, and one of the most successful German wrestlers of all time. He won a total of seven German national championships throughout his career.
• Augustin Jorger: A Swiss photographer known for his landscape and architectural photography.
• Paul Jorger: An Austrian-American microscopic photographer. He published several books on the subject.
• Maria Jorger: Maria is a television and film actress who has appeared in films such as “The Talented Mr. Ripley” and “In the Bedroom”.
• Wilhelm Jorger: Wilhelm was a German philosopher, known for his studies on phenomenology and existentialism.
• Scott Jorger: An American professional soccer player who plays for FC Cincinnati in the MLS.
• Hans Jorger: A German architect who designed several notable buildings including the Deutsches Museum in Munich.
• Eric Jorger:Eric is an Italian entrepreneur and business executive. He is the founder of the International Business Machines Corporation.
• Lawrence Jorger: A British historian and professor at the University of Oxford. He is known for his work on medieval and early modern history.
• Robert Jorger: Robert is a noted Swiss photographer and film director. He is known for his documentary film work, which has won several awards.

Other surnames

JörgelJörgenJörgenfriedrichJörgensJorgensenJörgensenJörgenshausJorgenson