Surname Sachs - Meaning and Origin
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Unveiling Genetic History: My iGENEA DNA Test and the Jewish Lineage of Sachs
In the recent iGENEA DNA test I undertook, significant revelations were unraveled about my surname, Sachs. With strong roots in Jewish ancestry, particularly in Ashkenazi and Levite communities, the test also demonstrated my genetic linkage to Neolithic agrarian societies and Western Europe through Y-DNA and mitochondrial haplogroup, respectively. This exercise proved a remarkable bridge between genetics, lineage, and historical context.
I. Sachs
read moreSachs: What does the surname Sachs mean?
The last name Sachs is derived from the German word ‘sachs’ which translates to ‘knack-axe’ or ‘cleaver’. It was a common occupation of those who carried the name in medieval times, suggesting they may have been an ironworker or smith.
The most likely origin of the name is from the Sachs region of Germany, which is now known as Saxony. This area is a significant source of coal, ore, and iron rich resources. The use of iron in making tools and weapons was a principle industry at the time, and this may have led to more of the population in the area taking up the name Sachs. It was also postulated that the name may have traveled down through the family lineage of those who were silversmiths or jewelers.
In modern terms, the last name Sachs is a proud part of Germany’s heraldic past and a reflection of the country’s strong industrial history. As such, the name has multiple possible origins and carries a range of cultural connotations. However, the most likely explanation is that the original holders of the name were likely ironworkers or smiths in the Sachs region when the title emerged.
Order DNA origin analysisSachs: Where does the name Sachs come from?
The last name Sachs is most commonly found in western and central Europe. The name is most heavily concentrated in Germany, but can also be found in some other countries nearby. Large populations of people with the last name Sachs are found in Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein, as well as some smaller populations in Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
The name Sachs is a diminutive form of the German word “sachs,” meaning jackdaw. It is believed that this name was at one time used for people of a certain kind, with the implication being that they were like a jackdaw—cunning and sly. The name was eventually adopted as a last name and spread across Europe in the Middle Ages and beyond.
The Saxons—the people who mainly inhabited the area now known as Germany—were likely the original bearers of the Sachs name. Today, this name is still fairly popular in the German-speaking part of the world and will likely remain so for many years to come.
Variations of the surname Sachs
The surname Sachs can have several alternate spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin.
Some of the alternate spellings include Sak, Sax, Sach, Sack, and Szaks.
Feltsman and Flaschen are two Jewish surnames that are derived from the same root as Sachs.
The most common variants of Sachs include Zak, Zaks, Sik, Saks, Zaks, and Sich. Many of these variants can be found in many Slavic and East European countries, as well as in some parts of Germany, and throughout Jewish communities around the world.
Additionally, a variant of Sachs is Sachse, which is most prevalent in Germany and parts of Eastern Europe.
The surname is also sometimes spelled Saks, Saksen, and Sakse, particularly in Southern Germany and several countries in Eastern Europe.
Sachs is also a very popular surname in the United States. It is most frequently found among descendants of German immigrants and Ashkenazi Jews. Variants of Sachs in the United States include Sak, Sach, Sack, Sax, and Szaks.
In conclusion, the surname Sachs has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Zak, Zaks, Sik, Saks, Zaks, Sich, Sachse, Saks, Saksen, Sakse, Sak, Sach, Sack, Sax, Szaks, and more. These variants can be found in many different parts of the world.
Famous people with the name Sachs
- Jeffrey Sachs: Economist and public policy advisor, professor at Columbia University known for his work in sustainable development, macroeconomics, and health policy.
- Irving Sachs: Artist whose work has appeared in galleries and museums all over the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Robert Sachs: Architect and innovator, credited with inventing the electric generator, the hydraulic lift, and the railcar.
- Goldman Sachs: Financial services firm based in New York City, known for its investment banking and asset management services.
- Katherine Sachs: International yoga teacher and founder of the Flowering Heart Yoga Studio in Washington DC.
- Barbara Sachs: Actress known for her roles in The Addams Family, The Streets of San Francisco, and The Seinfeld Chronicles.
- Touro Sachs: American businessman and philanthropist, CEO of Sachs Industries and Chairman of the Touro College and University System.
- Paul Sachs: Director and producer of the Percy Jackson & the Olympians movie series.
- Wilbur Sachs: Baseball pitcher and coach, best known for playing in the Pacific Coast League.
- William Sachs: Oscar-winning filmmaker and director, known for directing the cult classic horror film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.