German Jewish Surnames - Their Meanings

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. Before the early 1800s, most German Jews (as well as Jews in other parts of Europe) did not have formal surnames. What event forced many Jews into choosing last names? A change in religious law An edict from the Pope Napoleon's administration of captured territories A draft law in Germany and other countries

2. One type of German Jewish surname is a personal descriptive name. What is the meaning of the descriptive name Klein? Tall Small Short Large

3. Some names are not descriptive but ornamental, describing something pleasant or fanciful. What is the meaning of the name Rothstein? Red stone Large stone Red earth Red mug

4. Biblical first names may occur in German Jewish names. For example, what biblical first name is the origin of the surname Rubin? Benjamin Ruth Rivka Reuven

5. Sometimes, a German surname would become changed when a person came to another country, like the United States. What would have been the original German form of the name Needleman? Noodleman Nadelman Stitcherman Nydleman

6. One common German Jewish name, Katz, is actually formed from the initial letters of a Hebrew phrase. What does this phrase mean? Righteous man Torah scholar Son of Israel Righteous priest

7. One of the longer and more unusual German Jewish names is the name Ellenbogen. What is the meaning of this name? Ellen's son Elbow Long bone Eastward

8. Here are two German Jewish names, Gelber and Geller, with similar meanings. What is the common German origin for these two names? Black White Merchants Yellow

9. Another origin of German Jewish names are cities or regions where the person came from. For example, what city is the place of origin for people with the name Shapiro? Speyer Singen Sandau Sonneberg

10. The last letter of the German alphabet, z, is represented by such German Jewish names as Zimmerman and Zucker. What do these two names have in common? They are both religious names They both describe personal characteristics They both describe occupations They have their origins in places