Surname Teger - Meaning and Origin
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Teger: What does the surname Teger mean?
The surname Teger is a German surname of Jewish origin, derived from a biblical name. It first appeared in documents from the 14th century in Germany. The name is derived from the Hebrew name Yehezkel and its variant forms, derived from the words "Yah" – referring to the divine, and "Yechezkel" – meaning "God will strengthen".
During the Middle Ages, the surname was adopted by Jewish families as a way to set themselves apart from other ethnic groups. Subsequently, it became a way to connect different branches of the extended family, identifying a common ancestor.
The meaning of the surname is usually associated with strength and courage, and with God’s blessing. Its symbolic meaning may have been intended to carry forward the divine inspiration of ancient Hebrew prophet Ezekiel, whose descendants in Israel may have been the first Jewish people to adopt the name.
At the same time, though, the name has become linked to many inspiring stories of courage and perseverance in the face of great difficulty. During WWII, for example, a Jewish resistance organization in Poland adopted the surname as its name and the Teger family saga is renowned among descendants.
Generally speaking, the last name Teger reflects strength, courage and determination in the face of hardship – characteristics that have been emblematic of Jewish and other persecuted people throughout history. It is a surname with powerful symbolism for all those who bear it.
Order DNA origin analysisTeger: Where does the name Teger come from?
The last name Teger is commonly found in North America and Europe. In North America, it is most often found in Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Central America. In the United States, Teger is mostly found in states such as New York, California, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. In Europe, the last name is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, Poland, and Hungary.
The last name Teger derives from the Middle High German word "tigerin," which means "to fight." This suggests that the surname originated among the military elite, perhaps those who were in service of a lord or king. It is also possible that the surname dates back to ancestral groups of Prussia and Central Germany where Teger may have been a sign of nobility.
The U.S. Census Bureau states that the number of people with the last name Teger in the United States is approximately 6,491 with a max population of 5,239 in El Paso, TX. In Canada, there are around 374 Teger families, with the highest population in Winnipeg, Manitoba. While in Europe, the surname is most prevalent in Germany (1,223), Austria (722) and Poland (298).
Overall, the surname Teger is not overly common, but it is geographically widespread. It is mostly associated with ancestral roots in Central Germany and those of military origin. Today, it is most prevalent in North America and Europe.
Variations of the surname Teger
The Teger surname is derived from the Germanic personal name Tego, which was originally derived from the Old High German "tegan" or "tegon," meaning “surrounding, enclosing” or “protecting.” Variants, spellings, and surnames that are related to the Teger surname include:
Tegar - This variant was recorded in England in the late 1600s as a separate spelling. Early settlers in the New World also had this variant name, with early mentions in Pennsylvania in the 1700s.
Tegger - This variant has been recorded in England since the late 1600s. Tegger families were among the earliest immigrants to the America, arriving mainly in Pennsylvania and Virginia in the 1700s.
Tegler - This version is most common in Germany, and appears in records as early as the 1500s.
Tegher - This variant has been found primarily in Germany. Records date back to the late 1800s.
Tegar - This name has been recorded in England, Germany, and even in Canada in the 1800s.
Tegor - This version of the name has been found in Germany since the late 1400s and early 1500s.
The surnames associated with the Teger surname include Tegner, Tegener, Tasman, Tegethoff, and Tegetmeir.
Famous people with the name Teger
- Marianela Luz Teger, Chilean novelist
- Margalit Teger, Israeli musician
- David Teger, Czech TikTok creator
- Marc Teger, American cartoonist
- Yair Teger, Israeli television director
- Idan Teger, Israeli film director
- Ayelet Teger, Israeli singer
- Margalit Goldschmidt Teger, Israeli children's author
- Jacob Teger, Israeli restaurateur
- Galina Teger, Russian artist