Surname Mohr - Meaning and Origin

Discovering Family Roots with iGENEA: An Emotional Journey through My Mohr Lineage

Entering into the conscientious world of DNA genetics revitalized my relationship with my family and our shared surname, Mohr. The DNA test from iGENEA opened previously unexplored doors into my lineage, offering a deep emotional connection with my ancestors and their sacrifices.

L. Mohr

Mohr: What does the surname Mohr mean?

The surname Mohr is of German origin and has multiple meanings based on its historical and regional uses. Primally, it means "Moor" or "Moorish" referring to the Moorish people of North Africa, who invaded Spain in the 8th century. This could imply that someone with the Mohr surname may have a Moorish ancestry. Alternatively, in middle high German, "Mohr" referred to a person with dark skin or hair, possibly suggesting such physical characteristics in the individual's ancestors. In northern Germany, the term "Mohr" was also used as a nickname for someone who lived near a peat bog, as "Moor" also describes a marshy, boggy area. Another interpretation ties the name to the profession of someone who served a Moor in medieval miracle plays. Therefore, while the exact origin is not specific, it primarily signifies either a geographical location, physical attributes, or historical occupation of the person's ancestors.

Mohr: Where does the name Mohr come from?

The last name Mohr is quite common throughout Europe today. It is especially prevalent in countries such as Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Netherlands, and Switzerland. Additionally, it is also very popular in the United States, most likely due to German immigrants who came to the country during the 1800s.

In 2018 the last name Mohr was the 5,702nd most popular last name in the United States according to the US census. While the last name does not appear in the top 1000 most common last names it still ranks within the top 7000 - indicating that it is still widely used across the country.

In Germany, it was the 48th most common surname according to 2018 data from the City of Berlin. It also ranks highly among surnames of German-speaking residents of Luxembourg, Austria and Switzerland.

The last name Mohr is a patronymic surname that originated in Middle High German. It is derived from the Germanic given name "Maharut", meaning famous counsel or glory. This surname is derived from the suffix –macher which means maker. Hence, Mohr means "maker of Mohr".

Variations of the surname Mohr

The surname Mohr is derived from the German word for “moor” and can be seen in different variants and spellings, including Moor, More, Muhr, Maurer and Mauer.

In the United States, the surname Moor is predominant, often appearing in its Americanized spelling as Moore. It may have been adapted from the Old English version of the name, which was spelled Mor and would have been pronounced with a more open “o” sound than the more modern version.

In German speaking countries, the most common spelling is Mohr, but other spellings include Muhr, Maurer and Mauer. It can also be written as Möhr and Möhre.

Variant surnames also exist that share the same origin as Mohr. These include: Maurer, Mauerer, Maurers, Maurerlehner, Maurermeyer, Maureroff, Maurerthier, Mayer, Mauritz, Mohrmann and Moorstein.

In addition, Mohr is often found coupled with other surnames, creating compound surnames. Some examples include Mohrbacher, Mohrbachner, Mohrfeder, Mohrfuss, Mohrmann, Mohrstetter and Mohrwarth.

Famous people with the name Mohr

• Joe Mohr: illustrator, graphic designer, and filmmaker.
• Chris Mohr: American nutritionist and former professional athlete.
• Michael Mohr: German actor and comedian.
• Miriam Mohr: German television presenter.
• David Mohr: German chess player and IM.
• Fritz Mohr: German physicist and astronomer.
• Jim Mohr: American playwright, screenwriter, director, and author.
• Gerry Mohr: American actor and voiceover artist.
• Karl Mohr: German-born Hollywood actor and screenwriter.
• Harry Mohr: American Major League Baseball player.
• Dave Mohr: retired Australian cricketer.
• Messiah Mohr: American musician and entrepreneur.
• Johann Christoph Mohr: German sculptor and painter.
• Erich Mohr: German aircraft designer and test pilot.
• Franz Mohr: Austrian pianist and composer.
• Max Mohr: German World War I flying ace.
• Oliver Mohr: German designer and photographer.
• Sebastian Mohr: German football manager.
• Bruce Mohr: Canadian actor and dancer.
• Grady Mohr: American musician and composer.

Other surnames

MohamadMohamadiMohamedMohammadMohammadiMohammadpourMohammadzadehMohammedMohammediMoharMohauptMohautMoherMohersMohhauptMohillMöhlMöhlbergMöhleMöhlenMöhlenbachMöhlenbeckMöhlenbergMöhlenbrinkMöhlenbrockMöhlenbrokMöhlenbruchMöhlenbruckMöhlendickMöhlenfeld