What is the origin of the last name Juergens?

The surname Juergens is of German origin. It is derived from a personal name composed of the elements "Jurgen," which is a medieval form of George, and "-s" which is a common Germanic patronymic suffix indicating "son of." Thus, Juergens means "son of Jurgen" or "Georgeson." This surname became widespread in various regions of Germany and later spread to other countries due to migration.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Juergens

The meaning and origin of the last name Juergens

The surname Juergens is of German origin, derived from various place names in Germany, such as Jurgenhausen in Schleswig-Holstein or Jurgenhagen in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. It is also associated with the personal name Jürgen, a variant of George, which emerged during the Middle Ages as a short form of Germanic names like Gerhard (spear-brave) and Gisbert (pledge-bright). The surname Juergens may have originally been an occupational name for someone who came from one of these places or a nickname for someone thought to possess qualities associated with the place or personal name. Over time, it became a hereditary surname in various parts of Germany and was later brought by German immigrants to other countries, such as the United States.

Geographical distribution of the last name Juergens

The surname Juergens is predominantly of German origin and is distributed primarily within Germany, where it is most common in the northern regions such as Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, and North Rhine-Westphalia. Outside of Germany, significant populations bearing the name can be found in the United States, particularly in states with a high German ancestry like Wisconsin, Texas, and California. In Canada, Ontario and British Columbia have notable numbers of people with the Juergens last name. The name is also present in Australia, especially in the state of New South Wales, and in South Africa, where it's concentrated in the Western Cape province. It's worth noting that the distribution reflects historical German immigration patterns to these countries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Juergens

The surname Juergens has several variations and spellings due to differences in regional pronunciation and transcription over time. Here are some common variations:

1. Juergens
2. Jurgens
3. Jurgen
4. Jurgeson
5. Jurgaard (a Danish variation)
6. Jürgens (German-styled spelling with an umlaut)
7. Jurgoens, Jurgeons, and similar phonetic variations may also be found.

These variations stem from the Germanic personal name "Jurgen," which comes from "Jorundr" or "Geirr," meaning spear-ruler or spear-warrior in Old Norse. The surname Juergens, like many others, has been influenced by changes in language and culture over centuries.

Famous people with the last name Juergens

Notable individuals with the surname Juergens include:

1. Edmund Hans Juergens (born 1937), a Canadian politician who served as the Premier of Yukon from 1982 to 1992.
2. Frank Juergens (1924-2016), an American artist known for his geometric abstract sculptures.
3. Horst Jürgen (born 1950), a German former football player who won the UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich in 1974 and 1975.
4. Ingo Juergens (born 1962), a German musician, best known as the drummer of the punk rock band Die Ärzte.
5. Karl-Heinz Jürgen (1930-2018), a German football player who won the FIFA World Cup in 1954 and was named European Footballer of the Year in 1956.
6. Susanne Jürgens (born 1972), a German actress, known for her roles in TV series such as "Tatort" and "Polizeiruf 110."

Genealogical research on the last name Juergens

The surname Juergens is primarily of German origin and derives from various places named Jurgen or Juhrgen, found in the region of Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony. The name is an occupational surname, originating from the Old High German word "Jurgen," meaning 'young man' or 'youth.' Over time, it evolved to become a common surname among the Germanic population. Notable figures with the Juergens surname include Ernst Juergens, a German zoologist who made significant contributions to marine biology in the early 20th century, and Christoph Friedrich Jürgensen, a Danish composer active during the Baroque period. The name has also been spelled as Jorgensen, Juenger, Jurgen, Jurgens, and other variations due to translation and transcription errors over centuries.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

Last updated :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names