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SACHS Origin of surname

SACHS, SAKS

Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name. This family name is a toponymic (that are based on place names do not always testify to direct origin from that place, but may indicate an indirect relation between the name-bearer or his ancestors and the place, such as birth place, temporary residence, trade, or family-relatives.

Sachs, literally "Saxon", refers to an inhabitant of Saxony (eastern Germany), where Jews lived since the 10th century, Sachs and its variants were often adopted as family names to perpetuate the memory of martyrs, because the similar sounding Zaks is an acronym (a name created from the initial letters of a Hebrew phrase, and which refers to a relative, lineage or occupation) of the Hebrew 'Zera Kodesh Shemo' ("his name descends from martyrs"). A number of families trace their name to the martyrs of the German city Stendal, Saxony, where Jews were killed in the early 16th century ('Zera Kodesh Stendal') or to the martyrs of Speyer on the Rhine in western Germany, whose Jews suffered badly during the crusades ('Zera Kodesh Speyer'). Still others selected the name in honor of a martyr without specifying the city.

This family name could also be a patronymic, derived from a male ancestor's personal name, in this case of biblical origin. The names in this group could also be derived from the biblical Yitzchak, the second of the patriarchs, son of Abraham and Sarah, whose biblical name-etymology means "laugh" (Genesis 21.6). Various forms of the family name Sachs were widespread throughout Europe. Seckelin is recorded in the year 1200 in France. Sachs is documented in the 14th century, and Sak in the 15th century. Sack (literally "sack" in German) is found in 1498. Seckel, Seckelis and Seckeles are mentioned in Prague, Bohemia in 1677. Sachse is documented in 1678, the diminutive Sachselin 1694, Secklin in 1710, Sacksel in 1745 and Sax in 1761.

Distinguished bearers of the Jewish family name Sachs include the German master builder and author, Salomo Sachs (1772-1846), the Lithuanian Hebrew scholar, Senior Sachs (1815-1892) and the German poet and playwright, Nelly (Leonie) Sachs, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1966.

Senior Sachs (1815-1892) Scholar.

Born in Kedainiai, Lithuania, he grew up in Zagare, Lithuania, where his father was a rabbi. Already as a boy he was interested in Hebrew literature and became acquainted with Haskala. About 1839, he went to Dubno where he earned a livelihood by teaching Hebrew, and spent most of his time reading scientific and philosophical works. For two years he taught in Raseiniai, Lithuania, where he was a friend of the novelist Avraham Mapu. In 1844 Sachs reached Berlin, Germany, where he entered the university and in 1854 was invited to Paris by Baron Joseph Guenzburg as his private librarian and tutor to his children. He became involved in many aspects of Hebrew literature but as his interests were so diffuse most of his works were unfinished. Sachs edited journals and pamphlets and wrote articles and studies in Hebrew.

Curt Sachs (1881-1959), musicologist, born in Berlin, Germany. In 1919 he was director of the Berlin State Collection of Musical Instruments and taught at Berlin University until 1933. Compelled to leave Germany, in 1934 he went to Paris and taught at the Sorbonne. From 1933-1937 he was adviser to the museum of musical instruments at the Musee de Trocadero in Paris. In 1937 he went to the United States where, until 1957, he lectured at New York University. He was regarded as one of the greatest musicologists in his generation. He was a pioneer in the study of musical instruments, specializing in the history of their creation and development. He established the field which studied non-European musical instruments. He researched the musical history of the Old World not only in Europe but also in Asia. He believed in the common basis of different musical styles which, according to his theory, can be traced in the arts of dancing, theater, painting and sculpture. Among his books are Handbook of Musical Instruments (1920), History of Musical Instruments (1940), The Rise of Music in the Ancient World (1943), The Commonwealth of Art: Style in the Fine Arts, Music and Dance (1946), Rhythm and Tempo (1953). He died in New York.

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SACHS Origin of surname
SACHS, SAKS

Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name. This family name is a toponymic (that are based on place names do not always testify to direct origin from that place, but may indicate an indirect relation between the name-bearer or his ancestors and the place, such as birth place, temporary residence, trade, or family-relatives.

Sachs, literally "Saxon", refers to an inhabitant of Saxony (eastern Germany), where Jews lived since the 10th century, Sachs and its variants were often adopted as family names to perpetuate the memory of martyrs, because the similar sounding Zaks is an acronym (a name created from the initial letters of a Hebrew phrase, and which refers to a relative, lineage or occupation) of the Hebrew 'Zera Kodesh Shemo' ("his name descends from martyrs"). A number of families trace their name to the martyrs of the German city Stendal, Saxony, where Jews were killed in the early 16th century ('Zera Kodesh Stendal') or to the martyrs of Speyer on the Rhine in western Germany, whose Jews suffered badly during the crusades ('Zera Kodesh Speyer'). Still others selected the name in honor of a martyr without specifying the city.

This family name could also be a patronymic, derived from a male ancestor's personal name, in this case of biblical origin. The names in this group could also be derived from the biblical Yitzchak, the second of the patriarchs, son of Abraham and Sarah, whose biblical name-etymology means "laugh" (Genesis 21.6). Various forms of the family name Sachs were widespread throughout Europe. Seckelin is recorded in the year 1200 in France. Sachs is documented in the 14th century, and Sak in the 15th century. Sack (literally "sack" in German) is found in 1498. Seckel, Seckelis and Seckeles are mentioned in Prague, Bohemia in 1677. Sachse is documented in 1678, the diminutive Sachselin 1694, Secklin in 1710, Sacksel in 1745 and Sax in 1761.

Distinguished bearers of the Jewish family name Sachs include the German master builder and author, Salomo Sachs (1772-1846), the Lithuanian Hebrew scholar, Senior Sachs (1815-1892) and the German poet and playwright, Nelly (Leonie) Sachs, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1966.
Written by researchers of ANU Museum of the Jewish People
Senior Sachs

Senior Sachs (1815-1892) Scholar.

Born in Kedainiai, Lithuania, he grew up in Zagare, Lithuania, where his father was a rabbi. Already as a boy he was interested in Hebrew literature and became acquainted with Haskala. About 1839, he went to Dubno where he earned a livelihood by teaching Hebrew, and spent most of his time reading scientific and philosophical works. For two years he taught in Raseiniai, Lithuania, where he was a friend of the novelist Avraham Mapu. In 1844 Sachs reached Berlin, Germany, where he entered the university and in 1854 was invited to Paris by Baron Joseph Guenzburg as his private librarian and tutor to his children. He became involved in many aspects of Hebrew literature but as his interests were so diffuse most of his works were unfinished. Sachs edited journals and pamphlets and wrote articles and studies in Hebrew.

Curt Sachs

Curt Sachs (1881-1959), musicologist, born in Berlin, Germany. In 1919 he was director of the Berlin State Collection of Musical Instruments and taught at Berlin University until 1933. Compelled to leave Germany, in 1934 he went to Paris and taught at the Sorbonne. From 1933-1937 he was adviser to the museum of musical instruments at the Musee de Trocadero in Paris. In 1937 he went to the United States where, until 1957, he lectured at New York University. He was regarded as one of the greatest musicologists in his generation. He was a pioneer in the study of musical instruments, specializing in the history of their creation and development. He established the field which studied non-European musical instruments. He researched the musical history of the Old World not only in Europe but also in Asia. He believed in the common basis of different musical styles which, according to his theory, can be traced in the arts of dancing, theater, painting and sculpture. Among his books are Handbook of Musical Instruments (1920), History of Musical Instruments (1940), The Rise of Music in the Ancient World (1943), The Commonwealth of Art: Style in the Fine Arts, Music and Dance (1946), Rhythm and Tempo (1953). He died in New York.