Thursday, April 15, 2010

What is the meaning of my last name?

Shamberger? Apparently my paternal family goes as far back as the late 1700s in the U.S., but they Americanized the name. I would like to know what it means and who I am related to in Germany.

What is the meaning of my last name?
Adding on to the above, -er also indicates the area the family comes from. Ich bin Berliner means I am from Berlin. It could mean the family came from Schaumberg.





Berg also means mountain. It is possible the berg is a corruption of -burg, which means walled city, such as Bittburg or Ludwigsburg.





Hope this helps.
Reply:Well I am a Shamberger as well and Im black though, not sure if you are too but i have heard every joke in the book. My grandfather is from north carolina though. Report Abuse

Reply:Due to the bad spelling, it is hard to tell.





It sounds to me as if the name should be "Schaumberger". That is a common German name.





"Schaum" means "foam" or "bubbles". The "berger" is a Germanic construction "er" means "doer" -- the verb would be "bergen", i.e. to rescue, save, protect, etc. Therefore, the closest one can come today would be "Foamsaver". Sorry, that is the best I can do.





However, interestingly enough, the German word "Meerschaum" means a kind of rock with a foamy appearance. I believe the same word is used in English. Perhaps "Schaumberger" was somebody who had something to do with this rock? It was/is used to make tobacco pipes.


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