Surname Döringer - Meaning and Origin
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Döringer: What does the surname Döringer mean?
The last name Döringer is a German family name with origins in the region of Bavaria. The name is derived from a now-extinct type of quarry or mine which detailed digging and crushing operations. In Old German, "Döring" references the task of ore breaking, and the suffix "-er" indicates an individual actively involved in such activities.
In the Middle Ages, men with the surname Döringer were employed in the mining or refining of ores such as lead, copper, zinc and mercury. These people were essential in building industry and the growth of commerce in early Europe. This profession was seen as one of honour and respect across the land as resources were scarce.
The Döringers developed a reputation as reliable and trustworthy tradesmen, specializing in mining and metal works. After the Thirty Years' War, members of the family left Bavaria in pursuit of better economic opportunities. They eventually settled in countries like Germany, the United States, and Canada, taking their surname with them.
Though the profession of ore breaking has ceased to exist, the surname Döringer continues to be carried proudly by descendants of the original lineage. The name is a sentimental reminder of the sacrifices that their ancestors made in the pursuit of a better life.
Order DNA origin analysisDöringer: Where does the name Döringer come from?
The last name Döringer is of German origin and is predominantly found in Germany today. It is most commonly found in the northern region of the country, particularly in the states of Brandenburg, Saxony and Sachsen-Anhalt. The last name is also common in some parts of Austria, Switzerland, and France near the German borders.
The name has a long history, having first gained prominence in the late medieval period. It is derived from the Middle High German word ‘doering’, meaning ‘dwarf’ or ‘small’, which could suggest that the earliest Döringers had a relatively small stature. In the sixteenth century, Döringer families were typically found in and around the city of Berlin.
Today, the Döringer name is still pervasive in Germany, as well as the countries mentioned above. There are over 1000 people with the name in Germany alone, and it is usually spelled Döringer or Doeringer, with the same pronunciation. The spelling and pronunciation of the name may vary slightly in countries outside of Germany.
In the United States, the name is much less common, although there are still families that trace their roots back to Germany and claim the surname. This may be due in part to the large number of German immigrants who came to the US in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Overall, the last name Döringer is most commonly found in the German-speaking regions of Europe, although there are some people who still use the name all over the world.
Variations of the surname Döringer
The surname Döringer is of Germanic origin, derived from the personal name Doring, which was derived from the elements “dur” meaning “hard, strong” and “hagan, hagen” meaning “enclosure”. It is usually written as “Döringer” or “Döring” in German, and in English its variants are “Deering”, “Deringer” or “Dering”.
Other spellings and variants of the same origin include Döring, Dering, Doering, Dorringer, Doerringer, Dorrlinger, Durrenberger, Doringer, Dorringer, Derringer, Doeringer, Drenger, Dreger, Dring, and Dreher. In some cases, the spelling has been anglicized and appears as Deering, Deringer, Dringer, Dreinger, and Driger.
There are also many surnames associated with the original Germanic name Döringer or its variants which have been adopted throughout the years. These include Döring, Deringer, Doringer, Durrenberger, Dorringer, Doerringer, Derringer, Doeringer, Drenger, Dreger, Dring, Dreher, Deering, Deringer, Dringer, Dreinger, and Driger.
Other surnames of Germanic origin that are sometimes confused with Döringer include Dornberger, Dornbacher, Dorner, Dorst, Dörr, Dröher, Dorsthaus, Dorsewein, Dorstene, Dorschinger, Dormer, Dören, Dörig, or Dörrenberg.
Famous people with the name Döringer
- Constantin Döringer, German actor
- Audra Döringer, American actress
- Johann Baptist Döringer, Austrian sculptor
- Daniela Döringer, Austrian athlete
- Wolfgang Döringer, German actor
- Maria-Amalia Döringer, German professor
- Leonhard Döringer, Austrian painter
- Kathrin Döringer-Ehrhardt, German biologist
- Erwin Döringer, Austrian fine artist
- Nikolaus Döringer, German musician