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.
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.