Surname Dregar - Meaning and Origin
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Dregar: What does the surname Dregar mean?
The last name Dregar is a Germanic surname, derived from the Middle High German term “drager” or “dregar”, meaning ‘rider’ or ‘one who rides’ respectively. As such, the name was originally given to those who were proficient in horsemanship and became an occupational name for professional riders, including knights and cavalrymen.
The surname could also have been bestowed to individuals who worked on a cliff or a bank, as the Germanic word “drager" or "dregar" can also mean "one who digs” or “one who works”.
Today, members of the Dregar family tend to be proud of their German roots. The name is common throughout Germany, as well as the United Kingdom and the United States, where many of the Dregar family were among the many German immigrants who moved to the New World in the 19th century. Throughout the generations, many Dregar members have emigrated to other places, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, adopting their new home as their own.
The Dregar surname is also used as a first name in some families with German ancestry, for example, the Italian philosopher Antonio Dregar and the Romanian sculptor Ion Dregar, both of whom were born in the 19th century.
However, regardless of where they are from, regardless of where they live, all of the Dregar family are united by their common descent from the German “drager" or "dregar”.
Order DNA origin analysisDregar: Where does the name Dregar come from?
The last name Dregar is not an especially common surname, but it is found most often in countries where Germanic languages are spoken. According to research conducted by Forebears, Dregar is most common in Austria, where it is the 1,721st most popular surname. The next most common countries are Germany (3,647th) and the Czech Republic (6,067th).
The origin of the name is uncertain. Possible origins include German or Slavic words, stationary locations in specific countries, or occupational names derived from the Proto-Germanic word “dreugan” or “dreogan” meaning “to carry”. Alternatively, the name may even be a variant of the surname "Dregel", which is believed to originate from the Germanic “drach” (“dragon”).
The name is likely derived from a residential or geographic location, as early settlers often took on the name of the area they came from. As with many surnames, its variants have come and gone over the centuries. In the Middle Ages, one would likely have encountered the spellings Dreiger, Dreiher, and Dreier. In some instances, the spelling of the name shifted to different forms due to regional dialects or inaccurate translations.
Overall, the surname Dregar is not especially common, but it is found throughout countries where Germanic languages are spoken. It is likely to have originated from a place name, or to be a variant of the name "Dregel".
Variations of the surname Dregar
The surname Dregar has various variants, spellings, and surnames of similar origin. Some of the most common variants and spellings include Dreger, Dregger, Dreigar, and Dragger. Other alternate spellings of the name include Dreigar, Drigar, Drekker, Dregger, Dregger, Dreger, Drugar, and Dirgar.
The surnames of similar origin include Dreger, Dregger, Drayger, Droeger, and Dragar. These are all derived from the same German and Ashkenazi Jewish sources. The surname Dreger is derived from the German word "dregen" which means to create or fabricate. The surname Dregger, Dreigar, and Dragger are all derived from the Middle High German word "dreggen" which means to dig or to excavate.
The name Drayger is derived from the Middle High German word "dreien" which means to destroy or to cut down. The surname Droeger is derived from Middle Low German and the Dutch word "droegen" which means to dry or to parch. The surname Dragar is derived from the Middle High German word "dragen" which means to drag or carry.
All of these variant and surnames share a common root and can be found across Europe, the United States, and other countries that have had a Germanic or Ashkenazi Jewish population.
Famous people with the name Dregar
- Tierney Dregar: A famous American actress and singer who has starred in musicals such as “A Chorus Line” and “The Sound of Music”.
- Anatoly Dregar: An Israeli Olympic judo champion, who won a bronze medal at the 1972 Olympics.
- Talen Dregar: A plasma physicist based in the US, he has published several works on the subjects of plasma propulsion and aerobraking.
- Kay Dregar: A popular Canadian country music singer. She has released a multitude of studio albums as well as a popular song that reached the top 100 on the Canadian country chart.
- Dick Dregar: An American baseball player from the 1940s and 1950s who is remembered for his all-star performance in the 1953 season; he was the national league’s Most Valuable Player in 1954.
- Evan Dregar: The head coach of the Columbia University mens’ basketball team.
- Gavin Dregar: An Australian painter who has exhibited works in galleries around the world.
- Jorgen Dregar: A Norwegian soccer player who gained notoriety for his impressive goal scoring records.
- Nicholas Dregar: An American politician who served as the mayor of Philadelphia from 2000 to 2002.
- Thomas Dregar: A German composer and producer. He has composed numerous soundtracks for films, television shows, and video games.