Surname Putzhammer - Meaning and Origin
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Putzhammer: What does the surname Putzhammer mean?
Putzhammer is a German last name derived from occupational surnames, which were given to people that held jobs related to a certain craft or activity. The word Putz means to clean or tidy up, and Hammer refers to an instrument used for striking or pounding. Together, the name Putzhammer literally translates to "cleaning hammer."
In general, Putzhammer signifies that an ancestor of the family held a job related to cleaning, and often the cleaning involved the use of a hammer. During the Middle Ages, it was likely that someone with this name held the job of cleaning nails and hammering them into wood, in a trade known as nageler or nailer. It is possible that this ancestor was part of the guilds responsible for replacing old wooden roofs with shingles.
In a more general sense, Putzhammer could have described someone who was good at cleaning or restoring furniture and other hard surfaces. This could have been a job taken up by a blacksmith, metalworker, or even a carpenter, all of which required the use of a hammer.
Today, the surname Putzhammer might be used to describe someone who is proficient in the use of hand tools and works hard to restore or clean materials for a living. The name Putzhammer serves as a reminder of the historical values of hard work and skillful craftsmanship that once made up the backbone of German society.
Order DNA origin analysisPutzhammer: Where does the name Putzhammer come from?
The last name Putzhammer is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Germany and Austria, particularly in the region surrounding Vienna. It is a relatively uncommon name in other parts of the world, but over time, people with the surname have left their homeland to live elsewhere. Examples of cities and countries around the world that currently have some citizens with the Putzhammer name include Toronto and Ottawa in Canada, Chicago in the USA, London in the UK, Brisbane in Australia, Mexicali in Mexico, Accra in Ghana, Los Angeles in Guatemala, and Shanghai in China.
For people researching their family’s Putzhammer ancestry, several online genealogical resources may be helpful. These include FamilySearch.org, MyHeritage.com, Geni.com, and an Austria-specific website called Geschriebefurtauf.org. These sites contain records from multiple countries going back many generations, and provide information about migration, other family members, and sometimes even photographs. Additionally, genealogists can join online forums for exchanging information and connecting with distant cousins, as well as turn to local archives and government sources for historical documentation.
Variations of the surname Putzhammer
Putzhammer is a common German surname with several different variants, spellings, and origins. It originated in the German-speaking region of Europe, and its spelling and origin vary by country.
Common variants and spellings of Putzhammer include Putzhammar, Potzhammer, Potzhammar, Putzammer, Potzammer, Bauhammer, and Bauhammar. These spellings can be found in both German-speaking and Nordic countries, each with their own cultural and historical background.
In terms of the origin of the name, there are two competing theories. The first is that it originated from the German word 'Putz', meaning to trim or to clean. It was likely used to describe an individual who worked in the area of trimming or cleaning.
The second theory is that it is derived from the German word 'Bauhammer', meaning a hammer used to build or shape stone or metal. It may have been used to describe someone in the building trades who worked with this type of hammer.
In terms of surnames of the same origin, common variants include Putzman, Putzen, Potzman, Potzen, Bauchman, Bauchen, and Bauchenman. Other surnames derived from the same root include Putzberger, Potzberger, Potzki, and Bauchner.
Ultimately, Putzhammer is a common name with numerous variants, spellings, and origins. Its origin may be derived from the act of trimming and cleaning or from a type of hammer used for building and shaping stone or metal. Its many variants are found throughout German-speaking and Nordic countries, with particular surnames of the same origin being found mainly in these regions.
Famous people with the name Putzhammer
- Linda Putzhammer: Austrian cross-country skier
- Klaus Putzhammer: Austrian alpine skier
- Andreas Putzhammer: Austrian cross-country skier and former Olympic competitor
- Philip Putzhammer: champion rally driver from Germany
- Lorraine Putzhammer: Australian Paralympic athlete
- Günther Putzhammer: Austrian footballer
- Herwig Putzhammer: Austrian cyclist and Paralympian
- Gerd Putzhammer: German professional footballer
- Herbert Putzhammer: Austrian weightlifter and Olympic competitor
- Friedrich Putzhammer: Austrian modern pentathlete and former Olympic competitor