All surnames

German surname

Bauer

Farmer

Occupational surname

Bauer is a German status surname meaning 'farmer' or 'peasant', from Middle High German 'bûr'. It denoted a free farmer or the occupant of a farm. The name is extremely common in German-speaking countries and ranks among the top surnames in Germany.

Through emigration it is also well established in North America. Related forms include Bower in some English contexts. The name reflects the central place of agriculture in German society.

More German surnames

MullerSchmidtSchneiderFischerWeberMeyer

Give the Bauer name a real family story

Build a family tree with everyone's actual names, photos and relationships.

Build your family tree

Frequently asked questions

What does the surname Bauer mean?+

Farmer. From German "Bauer" (farmer/peasant).

Is Bauer a common surname?+

Bauer is a German-origin surname. Popularity varies widely by country and region, and the same surname can be common in one place and rare in another.

Can two families with the same surname be unrelated?+

Yes. Surnames, especially occupational and descriptive ones like this, were often adopted independently by many unrelated families who happened to share a trade, appearance, or location.

Is my search logged?+

No account or personal details are required to look up a surname's meaning - this page is static reference content.