Surname Täger - Meaning and Origin

Täger: What does the surname Täger mean?

The surname Täger is a Germanic patronymic surname of Old High German origin. The name Täger translates to “one who hunts or hunts down” and is typically associated with an occupational origin. It is derived from the Old High German word “tahhar” (hunter) and the Middle High German word “tachen” (to chase). It is also believed to have derived from Middle Dutch and Middle Low German words that mean “to hunt” or “to search after”.

The surname Täger is most commonly found in Germany, and it can also be found in Denmark, Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic and other countries which were formerly part of the Holy Roman Empire. The English equivalent of the surname Täger is Walker or Carter.

The surname Täger has a variety of variants, including Tegner, Tegar, Taegener, Tagar and Tagarne. Some sources suggest that the name Tagarne may have been adopted by English speakers in the 18th century, though it's unclear if this is the case.

The surname Täger is associated with an active, independent nature, an enthusiasm for adventure, and a mastery of one's environment. Individuals with the surname Täger typically value their independence and their ability to provide protection and security. They tend to be highly organized and determined, and they value hard work.

Täger: Where does the name Täger come from?

The last name Täger is most common today in Germany. It is a German surname with regional variations in spelling such as "Taegor" and "Tagar." This surname is thought to have originally been a patronymic, coming from a father's given name of Michael, thanks to the Dutch Michael being transformed to "Tschiemik" or "Tschemik" in the Low German dialect. This in turn became "Täger," a nickname for someone from a place called "Tagen," likely derived from a diminutive form of "Michael."

Historic records suggest that the surname first came to Germany in the 17th century when many Dutch and Flemish migrants moved to Germany. Many of these migrants brought their last names with them, and as names were sometimes changed or altered for local dialects, it's likely how the spelling of the Täger surname changed.

Today the surname is most common in Schleswig-Holstein, a state in northern Germany close to the border of Denmark. Within Schleswig-Holstein the Täger name is especially common in Schleswig, a city in the north of the state.

The spread of the Täger surname also extended to Denmark and Sweden where many Täger families still exist today. In the Swedish language the surname is spelled as ”Täger” or sometimes ”Teger”, and in Danish as ”Tæger”.

Some people with the Täger surname have also migrated to the United States, and many Täger families can be found in major cities like New York and Los Angeles.

Variations of the surname Täger

The surname Täger is of Germanic/Gothic origins, and it has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.

The most common variant of Täger is the German spelling, "Taeger". This spelling is used throughout Germany and also in other German speaking countries, such as Austria and Switzerland.

The Dutch equivalent of Täger is "Tegers", which is used in Dutch speaking countries, such as the Netherlands and Belgium.

In England and Ireland, the surnames Tagger and Teager are derived from the same Germanic/Gothic root. Tagger is the most common variant of the surname in these countries, but Teager is still in use.

In Sweden, the spelling "Teger" is used, with the "e" replacing the "ä" that is used in German. This spelling is also used in Finland, Denmark and Norway.

The spelling "Taege" is also popular within the German-speaking world, though it is less common than the other forms mentioned above.

In the United States, the spelling "Taegar" is commonly used, and this is mostly due to the large numbers of German immigrants who arrived in the US in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Finally, another German version of the surname is "Taegele". This version is mainly found in South Germany.

Overall, the surname Täger has many different variants and spellings depending on the country it is used in. This is due to the many different languages that are spoken in the countries with Germanic/Gothic roots, as well as the movement of people from one place to another throughout history.

Famous people with the name Täger

• Juanito Täger: Paraguayan professional footballer.
• Marla Täger: American film producer best known for producing the films "The Fault in Our Stars," "If I Stay," and "The Book Thief."
• Sofia Täger: Swedish businesswoman and television personality.
• Patrick Täger: Austrian singer-songwriter.
• Robert Täger: Swiss actor best known for his roles in the films "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" and "The Dark Knight Rises."
• Benedikt Täger: Austrian professional ice hockey player.
• Esther Täger: German operatic soprano, particularly associated with roles of Franz Schubert’s Lieder.
• Felix Täger: German cross-country skier who competed in the 1998 Winter Olympics.
• Gudrun Täger: German athlete who competed for East Germany in the women's eventing at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
• Jacob Täger: Swedish pop singer and actor, best known for his role of Chris in the 2008 musical comedy "Mamma Mia!"

Other surnames

TagertTägert