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.