Surname Voigtlaender - Meaning and Origin
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Voigtlaender: What does the surname Voigtlaender mean?
The last name Voigtlaender is a German name derived from the Middle High German word “voit”, which means “watchman,” and the word “laender” which means “states” or “regions”. Combined, the two words can be roughly translated to “watchman of states or regions”.
Often, the name Voigtlaender was given to an individual who served as a watchdog for a specific region or region(s). The role of this type of watchman was to watch out for any potential issues within the region that could pose a threat to its inhabitants such as criminals, invading forces, or natural disasters. As such, this surname was likely given to someone with a reputation of being diligent, trustworthy, and vigilant.
Today, the Voigtlaender name is often seen as a sign of one’s ability to be a successful caretaker and protector. It is a reminder of a long-standing tradition of watchfulness and concern for the safety and prosperity of the surrounding lands. The Voigtlaender name is also often associated with qualities such as loyalty, leadership, and a strong sense of responsibility.
Order DNA origin analysisVoigtlaender: Where does the name Voigtlaender come from?
The last name Voigtlaender is believed to originate from the city of Dresden in Germany. Today, the last name is still quite popular in Germany, especially in East Germany and the former East German region of Silesia. It is particularly common in Saxony, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Saxony-Anhalt. In other parts of Germany, the name is less common but still seen in areas like Berlin, Brandenburg, Bavaria, and Baden-Württemberg.
Outside of Germany, people with the last name Voigtlaender can be found in many countries around the world, most notably the United States and Australia. In the United States, there is a notably large population of Voigtlaenders in Pennsylvania and Texas, as well as smaller numbers in other states along the east coast. Over the years, many German immigrants have taken the name Voigtlaender with them to new countries, changing the spelling slightly to make it easier to pronounce in their new language.
The name Voigtlaender is also prevalent in South America, with many people bearing the name living in Brazil, Chile, and Bolivia. In Australia, the surname is found in and around the immigrant-heavy states of Queensland and South Australia, as well as in Sydney and Melbourne. Finally, there are also small populations of Voigtlaenders in Canada, mainly in British Columbia and Alberta.
In total, the name Voigtlaender can be found in at least 28 countries around the world, making it one of the most widespread German surnames today.
Variations of the surname Voigtlaender
The surname Voigtlaender has multiple variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant is "Voigtländer", which is the German spelling of the surname. Other spellings include Voigtlander, Vogtleunderer, Voghtlender, and Vogtländer.
The surnames Voegele and Voegeleinder are often derived from the same origin as that of Voigtlaender. Voegeleinder is an Americanised version of Voigtlaender.
In Dutch, the surname is often spelled as Voglinder. In Czech, Vogtländer is commonly used, while in Italian and Spanish, a variant of the surname is often found as Bugliani.
In the United States, Americanised versions of the surname can also be found, including Wiggleander and Wigleander. Some individuals may also have adopted the surname Vogelender, as this was the original Dutch spelling.
In Germany, other variations of the surname include Voighlander, Voigtländisch, and Vogtleander.
In short, the various spellings and surnames of Voigtlaender include German, Dutch, Czech, Americanised, Italian, and Spanish spellings, as well as other variations such as Voegele, Voegeleinder, Wiggleander, Wigleander, and Vogelender.
Famous people with the name Voigtlaender
- Christian Friedrich Voigtländer (1740-1801): German inventor, manufacturer, and optician. He was the founder of Voigtländer, a company that made optical lenses and cameras.
- Adolph von Voigtländer (1818-1901): German physicist and astronomer. He was an expert in optics and studying the stars, planets and comets.
- August F. Voigtländer (1830-1915): German professor of mathematics and astronomy. He was the rector of the University of Konigsberg and was instrumental in the introduction of the metric system.
- Hermann Voigtländer (1839-1917): German chemist and physicist. He was the director of the Technische Hochschule in Berlin and was the president of the German Chemical Society.
- August G. Voigtländer (1862-1943): German entomologist and professor. He was an expert on the study of moths and was the director of a research station in Thuringia.
- Paul Voigtländer (1864-1941): German surgeon and professor. He was the founder of the West German Academy of Surgery and was involved in the development of carotid artery ligation.
- Robert Voigtländer (1871-1948): German aviation pioneer and aircraft designer. He was the founder of the Wuppertal-based insurer LVG.
- Bruno Voigtländer (1879-1959): Austrian author and religious leader.
- Hansjörg Voigtländer (1889-1958) : German World War I fighter ace.
- Otto Voigtländer (1916–1962): German political figure and physician. He was a leader of the Social Democratic Party.