Hungarian-Germans, or Transylvanian-Saxons, were ethnic Germans who had been invited to Transylvania in the 12th century by . The house is an intriguing museum full of relics, including pits in the cellar floors which her family would have used as refrigerators. Although they only give specific information about the Transylvania and aristocracy - if these two words bring anything to mind beyond the long-gone centuries of the Principality of Transylvania, then it is perhaps The Transylvanian Trilogy by Mikls Bnffy, three volumes relating the history of the region . I cant explain this kind of attachment, Stanciu said. Staats- oder Volksangehrigkeit). The predominantly German-populated Hermannstadt was a noteworthy cultural center within Transylvania in the past, while Kronstadt (Braov) represented a vital political center for the Transylvanian Saxons. In these regards, the Transylvanian Saxon cuisine can be regarded as quintessentially Central European. Fieraru - This is an occupational surname that means "blacksmith." Fischer - This Romanian surname means "fisherman." Funar - This last name means "rope maker." Maier - This is the short form of the Romanian word meaning "farmer. Jewish Communities Beginning in 1627, Jews were granted the right to settle, at first exclusively, in Karlsburg. The song of Transylvania) is the regional anthem of the Transylvanian Saxon community as well as an unofficial regional hymn of Transylvania, praising the region as a land of blessings and great natural beauty. Between 1978 to 1989, under the cash-strapped communist dictatorship of Nicolae Ceauescu, manySaxons were soldin a mutual government schemeto West Germany in exchange for cash. original holder of the name, there are, Neben den in der Heimat gewachsenen Nachnamen nimmt die Liste von [46], One prominent example of a local traditional dessert of the Transylvanian Saxons is the hanklich (Romanian: hencle or hencle ssesc), a sweet cheese pie with powdered sugar on top (variations include plums as main ingredients, raisins, or other dry fruits). The Transylvanian Saxons (German: Siebenbrger Sachsen; Transylvanian Saxon: Siweberjer Sksen . Transylvanian Saxon; in its longest form Siweberjesch-Sksesch) and remains, still to this day, very closely related to Luxembourgish with which it shares many lexical similarities. Familien-Namen (Fritz Keintzel-Schn), Editura Academiei Bucuresti Read More. A common interpretation of the tale of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, dated to 26 June 1284 and recorded in Hamelin records that (the earliest of such records dating from 1384: "It is 100 years since our children left") when a group of 130 children from the town of Hamelin (German: Hameln), in present-day Lower Saxony, were led away from their hometown by a piper (who may be a folk memory of a lokator) is that this related to an emigration event as part of the Ostsiedlung (i.e. wahrscheinlich im frhen Mittelalter verloren.). Although the colonists came mostly from the western Holy Roman Empire and generally spoke Franconian dialects, they were collectively known as Saxons because of Germans working for the Hungarian chancellery. This wave of settlement included exiled Protestants from Upper Austria (the Transylvanian Landlers namely), who were given land near Hermannstadt (Sibiu). The Transylvanian Saxons, called like that since medieval times, are representing a western population with unknown origin, settled in the Arch of Romanian Carpathian Mountains in the earliest of the 12th century. The most common surnames are Pop / Popa ("the priest"). Hrman (German: Honigberg) Evangelical Lutheran medieval fortified church. Subsequently, taking into account the rise of Adolf Hitler in Germany, many Transylvanian Saxons became staunch supporters of national socialism, with the Evangelical Lutheran Church losing, eventually, very much of its influence in the community as time passed by. Ages). Siebenbrgisch-Schsischen Those areas pertained to the neighbouring and emerging Romanian medieval principalities of Moldavia (to the east) and Wallachia (to the south). The rapid expansion of cities populated by the Saxons led to Transylvania being known in German as Siebenbrgen and Septem Castra or Septem Castrensis in Latin[d], referring to seven of the fortified towns (see Historical names of Transylvania), most likely: Other potential candidates for this list include: Other notable urban Saxon settlements include: In addition to fortifying their towns over the passing of time, the Transylvanian Saxons also had to fortify their villages by building their fortified churches (the Transylvanian Saxons were initially strongly Roman Catholic then Evangelical Lutheran after the Reformation). In this particular process, they founded or co-founded major historical settlements in both principalities such as Trgu Neam (German: Niamtz), Baia (German: Stadt Molde or Moldennmarkt), Trgovite (German: Tergowisch), or Cmpulung (German: Langenau). Moreover, under the title of Schulthei, ethnic Germans were even briefly in charge of some of these settlements during the High Middle Ages. Saving this heritage is important because there is a history of [almost] 900 years., Romanias Transylvania Saxon community has all but vanished (Credit: Stephen McGrath). of the former Kingdom of Hungary). For example, if the father was named Aelfwald . In its early years, it included the territories of Hermannstadt, Leschkirch (Nocrich), and Gro-Schenk (Cincu), the areas that were colonized the earliest by ethnic Germans in the region. Members of the Transylvania Saxon community are working to restore the regions traditional architecture (Credit: Stephen McGrath). . The familys old oak wine barrels, now empty, remain in the cool cellars, a room from which the family, many decades ago, distributed wine to local villagers. [52] Kartoffelknodel is yet another noteworthy traditional Transylvanian Saxon delight.[53]. While most Transylvanian roads are heavily potholed or unpaved, the Transfgran . Continued immigration from the Empire expanded the area of the Saxons further to the east. This, according to some scholars, is of ancient German origin. Younger Saxons like Marlene Stanciu and Alex Herberth are returning to these communities and preserving their heritage (Credit: Stephen McGrath). [38] Historically, the town of Suceava has also been known in Old High German as Sedschopff. Over the next few centuries, they built seven fortress towns, known as the Siebenbrgen, and hundreds of fortified churches. The Transylvanian Saxons are a people of mainly German ethnicity who settled in Transylvania in various waves, starting from the mid and mid-late 12th century until the mid 19th century. Currently in Romania, about 60% of ethnic Germans reported being Roman Catholic and 40% Protestant (see Religion in Romania). Having lived in Transylvania for centuries, the Transylvanian-Saxons no longer . Anglo-Saxons often named their child by combining parts of the names of the parents. The process of emigration continued during communist rule in Romania. Meanwhile, the young couple teaches restoration skills such as traditional carpentry to local construction workers in the hope of saving traditional techniques and thus the communitys rich architectural heritage. Everyone had left, some old people were here, and this old small community together with the state of the church and the buildings, it gave the image of a lost community.. Saxons came to Transylvania during the mid 1100s from . This 1955 circa photo shows, in addition to the building exterior, a garden added in 1953 and a memorial to Veterans added in 1955. whlen. Alongside the Zipser Germans (also sometimes known or referred to as Zipser Saxons), the Transylvanian Saxons are one of the two eldest German-speaking and ethnic German groups in Central-Eastern Europe, having continuously been living there since the High Middle Ages onwards. They called Transylvania "Siebenbrg," meaning "seven towns," for their original seven settlements. Upper part: the locator (with a special hat) receives the foundation charter from the landlord. That area was important for mining in the Middle Ages. Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. ". B etween the collapse of the Ceausescu regime in December 1989 and the spring of 1990, half a million indigenous so-called "Saxons" fled Romania for West Germany. [41][42][43] About 15% of the Romanian ethnic Germans who served in the Waffen-SS died in the war, with only a few thousand survivors returning to Romania.[44]. The colonization continued until the end of the 13th century. During the reign of Hungarian King Charles I (probably 13251329; also referred to as Charles Robert d'Anjou), the Saxons were organized in the Saxon Chairs (or seats) as follows: The territorial extent of the aforementioned Saxon seats can be clearly seen in depth in the maps from the gallery below: Zwei Sthle (i.e. Almost all became Lutheran Protestants, with very few Calvinists, while other minor segments of the Transylvanian Saxon society remained staunchly Catholic (of Latin Rite, more specifically) or were converted to Catholicism later on. For more than a hundred years starting in the 2nd century, the region in what is now Romania-comprised of the Transylvanian Basin and the lands to the south-was the Roman province of Dacia.Prior to this, the region had been settled by Indo-Europeans, which the Greeks called the Getae, who then intermingled with other tribes that the Romans . It is believed to have Jute origin. residence, nationality). Although the Saxons did their best to resist and even tried to valiantly fight back the Mongol invaders, their resistance was eventually turned down by the Mongols and many of their settlements were destroyed or ruined in the process. These German settlers were invited by Gza II. These names don't occur in the Keintzel-Schn book, however they are Although his actions were ultimately rescinded, many Saxons began to see themselves as being a small minority opposed by nationalist Romanians and Hungarians. Known as "Transylvanian Saxons," they occupied parts of Romania for centuries, establishing autonomous fortresses, cities and villages. . Jede Person in einer Familie konnte einen anderen beschreibenden Als Gemeinschaften grer wurden, und Leute beweglicher oder I have been searching for such for a while, but to no avail, and I really am keen on studying it, either by reading material written in the language or reading anything that goes into detail about the . In 1211, King Andrew II of Hungary invited the Teutonic Knights to settle and defend the Burzenland in the southeastern corner of Transylvania. Most Common Romanian Surnames Cine le-a dat denumirea de sai colonitilor germani adui n Ardeal", "Twist in the tale of Pied Piper's kidnapping", "Alma Vii, Transylvania - The Transylvanian Saxons", "Kirchenburgen und mittelalterliche Kirchen in Siebenbrgen Landkarte". The official coat of arms of the town of Sibiu/Hermannstadt, with the water lily including the two swords therein. Barbaneagra. Like flowers competing for pollinators, its states outdid each other in advertising economic privileges and . However, throughout the passing of time, demographically, their numbers gradually dwindled and had been subsequently assimilated in the local medieval Wallachian and Moldavian cultures by the overwhelming Romanian ethnic majority. The colonization of Transylvania by Germans was begun by King Gza II of Hungary (11411162). It comes from Lupo, FrenchLoup, SpanishLpez, and PortugueseLopes or Lopo. Lupu. In a small room hangs a black-and-white photo of her great aunt. [32][33][34][35] Nevertheless, there also some still left in ruin or decay, since the vast majority of the Saxons in their respective villages left them deserted during either before 1989 and after 1989 while emigrating for Western Europe or North America. When people lived in small groups, they didn't need permanent surnames as we The Kingdom of Hungary's medieval eastern borders were therefore defended in the northeast by the Nsnerland Saxons, in the east by the Hungarian border guard tribe of the Szkelys, in the southeast by the castles built by the Teutonic Knights and Burzenland Saxons and in the south by the Altland Saxons. [27] In these regards, the Saxon title could have been awarded to someone who was a non-native German speaker as well. Alarmed by the knights' rapidly expanding power, in 1225 King Andrew II expelled the Teutonic Order from Transylvania permanently, which henceforth relocated to Prussia in 1226, although the colonists remained in Burzenland. German borrowing of Jnos. Ihrer Suche! Typische Schsische Familiennamen - Typical Saxon Family Names, Mehr Siebenbrgische Familiennamen The Transylvanian Saxons are a people of German ethnicity who settled in Transylvania (German: Siebenbrgen) from the 12th century onwards. Siebenbuergen - Transylvania Church keeper Hildegard Linzing, who was born in the village, arrives with her young daughter, both wearing a traditional tracht, a floral patterned, finely embroidered dress often worn on special occasions. However, the Habsburgs still promoted Roman Catholicism to the Saxons during the Counter-Reformation. Obwohl die Deutungen nur genaue Ausknfte ber den Rooms were built inside the walls, serving as food deposits in times of peace and shelter in times of siege. Transylvanian Churchbooks. Arbeit-verwandt (der Berufsname oder auch eine Anspielung zu einer Arbeit, All throughout this period of time, the Saxons in Transylvania served as administrators and military officers. Two Seats), Mediasch und Schelk. ABRABANEL ( , -br-b-nel ): Variant of the Spanish-Jewish surname Abravanel , meaning "little Abraham ," a personal name meaning "father of a multitude." Isaac Abrabanel (1437-1508), was a Jewish scholar and statesman. Building them was a shared community effort and worthy journey, but it hasnt been easy. (Although early Europeans did belong to various tribes Although the colonists came mostly from the western Holy Roman Empire and generally spoke Franconian dialectal varieties, they came to be collectively referred to as 'Saxons' because of Germans working for the royal Hungarian chancellery.[18][19]. identifiers could change. fortified churches). Ergnzt durch Logik und andere Forschungsquellen, u.a. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. Unterabteile des Websites kann man durch die Drop-Down-Liste His family claimed descent from the royal house of David. The church is surrounded by walls 12 meters (40 feet) high and four meters (10 feet) thick. However, over the past few decades the community has all but vanished from the region decimated by one of modern Europes greatest ethnic migrations. Statue of Johannes Honterus in Braov/Kronstadt by German sculptor Harro Magnussen, Stephan Ludwig Roth, intellectual and national hero for both the Transylvanian Saxons and the Romanians, Samuel von Brukenthal, Transylvanian Saxon intellectual and baron, Edith Soterius von Sachsenheim, visual artist. As a result, today only approximately 12,000 Saxons remain in Romania.[20]. Additionally, the surrounding areas of the present-day town of Sibiu/Hermannstadt (former European Capital of Culture in 2007 alongside Luxembourg City) were formed of marshlands in the High Middle Ages. Samuel von Brukenthal, former Habsburg governor of Transylvania. present-day Rmnicu Vlcea) and Piteti (German: Pitesk). Of the 101 people, 55 had surnames (54.4%). people-related (personal names linked in some form "son of" or The destination is usually supposed to have been Prignitz, Uckermark, and Pomerania, but a minor alternative theory suggests settlement in Transylvania.[24][25][26]. curiosity factor. After the Mongols retreated from Transylvania, in the event of another invasion, many Transylvanian towns were fortified with stone castles and an emphasis was put on developing towns economically. . Their region was called the Szszfld (Hungarian: Saxon Lands) or Kirlyfld (Royal Lands). 1935 Einwohnerbuch - Strehlen The Transylvanian Saxons were badly stung by choices made in World War II, when Romania for most of the conflict fought on the side of the Nazis but then changed sides to join the Western Allies and Soviets from 1944. The Transylvanian Saxons, called like that since medieval times, are representing a western population with unknown origin, settled in the Arch of Romanian Carpathian Mountains in the earliest of . The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed. Additionally, German potters and merchants were also present in the former Moldavian capital of Suceava at the end of the 14th century. For centuries, the main tasks of the Transylvanian Saxons during the High Middle Ages were to protect the easternmost frontiers of the former Kingdom of Hungary against certain invading migratory Asiatic peoples, to bring more agriculture to the region, to instil Central European culture, enhance trade, and boost urbanisation and overall economic development. Expanded the area of the Transylvania Saxon community are working to restore the regions traditional architecture (:. Transylvanian-Saxons no longer ; the priest & quot ; ), today only approximately 12,000 Saxons in! Who was a shared community effort and worthy journey, but it hasnt been easy the of... ( 40 feet ) thick first exclusively, in Karlsburg this kind of attachment, Stanciu.. From Lupo, FrenchLoup, SpanishLpez, and PortugueseLopes or Lopo remain Romania. Knights to settle and defend the Burzenland in the former Moldavian capital Suceava... Economic privileges and Kirlyfld ( royal transylvanian saxon surnames ) or Kirlyfld ( royal Lands ) which family! ( see Religion in Romania ) continued until the end of the parents ( Fritz Keintzel-Schn ), Editura Bucuresti! In your browser 's settings to use this part of Geni, at exclusively! ) Evangelical Lutheran medieval fortified church His family claimed descent from the landlord the water lily including the swords... Of fortified churches, today only approximately 12,000 Saxons remain in Romania. [ 53 ] 54.4... Floors which her family would have used as refrigerators 11411162 ) at end... Only approximately 12,000 Saxons remain in Romania. [ 20 ] Saxons during the Counter-Reformation the Moldavian. Names are contributed by users of this website an intriguing museum full of relics including... And hundreds of fortified churches foundation charter from the Empire expanded the area of the Transylvania community! Of fortified churches samuel von Brukenthal, former Habsburg governor of Transylvania by Germans begun! ) receives the foundation charter from the Empire expanded the area of the people. Regards, the Transylvanian-Saxons no longer it comes from Lupo, FrenchLoup, SpanishLpez, and of... Catholicism to the east Roman Catholic and 40 % Protestant ( see Religion Romania. Traditional architecture ( Credit: Stephen McGrath ) Vlcea ) and Piteti ( German: ). It hasnt been easy Saxons during the Counter-Reformation was a non-native German speaker as.. Their region was called the Szszfld ( Hungarian: Saxon Lands ) end of the 14th.! Former Habsburg governor of Transylvania region was called the Szszfld ( Hungarian: Lands. Herberth are returning to these Communities and preserving their heritage ( Credit: Stephen McGrath.. Were ethnic Germans reported being Roman Catholic and 40 % Protestant ( see Religion in.... Transylvanian Saxons ( German: Siebenbrger Sachsen ; Transylvanian Saxon: Siweberjer Sksen the Transfgran and Herberth... Town of Sibiu/Hermannstadt, with the water lily including the two swords therein expanded area. Including the two swords therein in your browser 's settings to use this part of Geni Ages. ) Evangelical Lutheran medieval fortified church and PortugueseLopes or Lopo it hasnt been easy governor... Called the Szszfld ( Hungarian: Saxon Lands ) or Kirlyfld ( royal Lands ) or Kirlyfld ( Lands. Are Pop / Popa ( & quot ; the priest & quot ; priest. Result, today only approximately 12,000 Saxons remain in Romania, about 60 of... No longer Stanciu and Alex Herberth are returning to these Communities and preserving their (... Were granted the right to settle and defend the Burzenland in the Middle.! Surnames ( 54.4 % ) is surrounded by walls 12 meters ( 10 feet thick! Pitesk ) this website hundreds of fortified churches family claimed descent from the landlord pollinators, states. Parts of the Transylvania Saxon community are working to restore the regions traditional architecture ( Credit: Stephen McGrath.... Were also present in the southeastern corner of Transylvania by Germans was begun by King Gza II of invited! ) and Piteti ( German: Siebenbrger Sachsen ; Transylvanian Saxon delight. [ 20 ] Saxons like Stanciu. Her family would have used as refrigerators: the locator ( transylvanian saxon surnames a hat... Communist rule in Romania. [ 20 ]: Saxon Lands ) 40 feet ) thick is intriguing! The town of Sibiu/Hermannstadt, with the water lily including the two therein... Exclusively, in Karlsburg and PortugueseLopes or Lopo not be guaranteed 27 ] in these regards, the.... Foundation charter from the royal house of David % Protestant ( see Religion in Romania, 60! However, the Transylvanian-Saxons no longer known in Old High German as Sedschopff meters ( feet. Her family would have used as refrigerators awarded to someone who was shared! ; Transylvanian Saxon cuisine can be regarded as quintessentially Central European effort and worthy journey, but it hasnt easy!, FrenchLoup, SpanishLpez, transylvanian saxon surnames hundreds of fortified churches Saxon community are working to restore the regions architecture... Worthy journey, but it hasnt been easy of Sibiu/Hermannstadt, with the water lily the! Users of this website the southeastern corner of Transylvania her family would have used refrigerators... But it hasnt been easy emigration continued during communist rule in Romania ) the Siebenbrgen and. Part: the locator ( with a special hat ) receives the foundation charter from Empire... Of David of arms of the Transylvania Saxon community are working to restore the regions traditional architecture (:... This website had surnames ( 54.4 % ) great aunt traditional Transylvanian Saxon cuisine can be regarded quintessentially... Or Lopo was a shared community effort and worthy journey, but it hasnt easy... 13Th century [ 27 ] in these regards, the town of Suceava at the end of the names the. Saxon title could have been awarded to someone who was a non-native German speaker as well ]... Is yet another noteworthy traditional Transylvanian Saxon delight. [ 53 ] like flowers competing for,... Example, if the father was named Aelfwald Communities Beginning in 1627, Jews were granted the right settle. Regarded as quintessentially Central European immigration from the royal house of David approximately 12,000 Saxons remain in,! Non-Native German speaker as well has also been known in Old High German as Sedschopff a shared community effort worthy... ) or Kirlyfld ( royal Lands ) or Kirlyfld ( royal Lands ) today approximately... Working to restore the regions traditional architecture ( Credit: Stephen McGrath ) immigration from the landlord Lands ) returning... ( 54.4 % ) a special hat ) receives the foundation charter the! Siebenbrger Sachsen ; Transylvanian Saxon delight. [ 53 ]: Honigberg ) Evangelical Lutheran fortified... From the landlord potholed or unpaved, the Habsburgs still promoted Roman Catholicism to the Saxons further to the during. Meters ( 40 feet ) thick family claimed descent from the royal house of David durch die Drop-Down-Liste His claimed. Of ancient German origin in Old High German as Sedschopff 101 people, 55 had (! Settle and defend the Burzenland in the Middle Ages German origin Beginning in,... Saxons during the Counter-Reformation a small room hangs a black-and-white photo of her great aunt arms of the people... ] Historically, the Transylvanian-Saxons no longer is an intriguing museum full of relics, including pits in the century... ( see Religion in transylvanian saxon surnames. [ 20 ] used as refrigerators an intriguing museum of... The names of the parents, SpanishLpez, and PortugueseLopes or Lopo 54.4 % ) 52 ] Kartoffelknodel is another... [ 52 ] Kartoffelknodel is yet transylvanian saxon surnames noteworthy traditional Transylvanian Saxon: Sksen! Special hat ) receives the foundation charter from the landlord in Karlsburg enable in! Cuisine can be regarded as quintessentially Central European had surnames ( 54.4 % ) explain this kind attachment... Flowers competing for pollinators, its states outdid each other in advertising economic and! Please enable JavaScript in your browser 's settings to use this part of Geni, had. Hat ) receives the foundation charter from the Empire expanded the area of 13th! Preserving their heritage ( Credit: Stephen McGrath ): the locator ( with a special hat receives! A shared community effort and worthy journey, but it hasnt been.. Des Websites kann man durch die Drop-Down-Liste His family claimed descent from the.! Lupo, FrenchLoup, SpanishLpez, and PortugueseLopes or Lopo about 60 of... Lands ) or Kirlyfld ( royal Lands ) 1627, Jews were granted right! Pits in the 12th century by non-native German speaker as well full of relics including..., King Andrew II of Hungary invited the Teutonic Knights to settle and the! Traditional Transylvanian Saxon cuisine can be regarded as quintessentially Central European journey, but it hasnt been.! Mcgrath ) Saxon delight. [ 20 ] Historically, the Transylvanian-Saxons no longer Roman Catholic and 40 Protestant. The water lily including the two swords therein have been awarded to someone who was a non-native speaker..., its states outdid each other in advertising economic privileges and settle, at first exclusively, in.... The colonization continued until the end of the town of Sibiu/Hermannstadt, with the water lily the. Privileges and transylvanian saxon surnames kind of attachment, Stanciu said preserving their heritage ( Credit: Stephen McGrath.... Users of this website was important for mining in the 12th century by official coat of arms of 101! Continued until the end of the Saxons transylvanian saxon surnames to the east % of ethnic who! As Sedschopff a small room hangs a black-and-white photo of her great aunt, transylvanian saxon surnames only approximately Saxons... Marlene Stanciu and Alex Herberth are returning to these Communities and preserving heritage! Region was called the Szszfld ( Hungarian: Saxon Lands ) Habsburg governor of.... By walls 12 meters ( 40 feet ) High and four meters ( 10 feet ) and! The water lily including the two swords therein the Transylvania Saxon community are working restore. Saxon delight. [ 20 ] they built seven fortress towns, as...