Common Amish Last Names
Because relatively few people from outside the faith join Amish communities, the number of common Amish last names is fairly small. While there are exceptions and occasional rare surnames, many Amish family names are repeated from one settlement to another. The exact names can vary by region, church group, and family history, but certain surnames are strongly associated with Amish and Mennonite heritage.
For those who grew up around the Amish, a last name can often offer a clue about a person’s background. Names such as Miller, Stoltzfus, Yoder, Troyer, and Beiler are so familiar in Amish circles that they may immediately suggest an Amish or Mennonite connection. This is not always the case, of course, but it is often a good indication, especially in areas with long-established Anabaptist communities.
Amish Last Names in Lancaster County, PA
I grew up in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and my maiden name is Stoltzfus. Stoltzfus is one of the most common Amish surnames in Lancaster County. The name is so widespread in the area that it has become closely connected with Lancaster County Amish identity.
Stoltzfus is a German surname often said to mean “proud foot.” It is sometimes spelled Stoltzfoos. According to family tradition and historical accounts, many Stoltzfus families in America trace their ancestry to Nicholas Stoltzfus, who came from Germany in 1766. Records indicate that there are thousands of people in the United States with the Stoltzfus surname, with the largest concentration found in Pennsylvania.
Other common Amish last names in Lancaster County include King, Fisher, Esh, Lapp, Lantz, Blank, Zook, Schmucker, Kauffman, Beiler, Glick, Riehl, and Petersheim. These names are frequently heard in Amish communities throughout the region and are part of the area’s long Amish heritage.
Amish Surnames in Holmes County, Ohio and Other Areas
Miller is widely believed to be one of the most common Amish last names in Holmes County, Ohio. Other familiar surnames include Troyer, Yoder, Schwartz, Hershberger, Schrock, Gingerich, Weaver, Schlabach, Bontrager, Raber, Coblentz, and Hochstetler. Some of these names may appear with slight spelling variations, depending on the family line or local custom. Many of the same Amish surnames are also common in Indiana and in other Amish settlements across the United States.
Less common, but still recognizable Amish surnames include Mast, Kline, Graber, Garber, Burkholder, Peachy, Chupp, Wengerd, Lehman, Kuhns, Keim, Eicher, Swarey, Stoll, Helmuth, and Headings. There are certainly many more, including rare names found only in certain communities or family branches. Because Amish groups are spread across many states, regional differences in surnames are expected.
What Are the Top Five Amish Last Names?
The top five Amish last names are often considered to be Miller, Stoltzfus, Beiler or Byler, Yoder, and Troyer. The order may change depending on the state or settlement, but these surnames are among the most recognizable Amish family names. In Pennsylvania, Stoltzfus is especially common, while Miller, Yoder, and Troyer are often heard in Ohio, Indiana, and other Amish areas.
Popular Amish First Names
Many traditional Amish first names come from the Bible. Over time, some names are shortened or adapted in everyday use. For example, Stephen may become Steven or Steve, Joseph is often shortened to Joe, and Malinda may be shortened to Linda. These familiar forms are common in daily conversation while the full names may still appear in formal settings.
Popular Amish names differ from one community to another. In recent years, some Amish parents have chosen less traditional names for their children, but older biblical and family names remain very common. Naming children after grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, or respected relatives is still an important tradition in many Amish families.
Female Amish Names
There is a wide variety of Amish women’s names, but certain names are especially popular. One reason is the tradition of naming children after family members. When a child receives the same name as a grandparent or close relative, it is often viewed as an honor and a sign of respect.
This tradition can also create confusion, especially in large families where several cousins may share the same first name. To identify which person is being discussed, Amish people may use the father’s name, the husband’s name, or a middle initial. For example, someone might say “Dan’s Anna” to distinguish her from another Anna in the same church district or extended family.
My full name is Anna Mary Stoltzfus, and my best friend in school had the same name. To avoid confusion, our teacher called her Anna Mary, while I went by Anna. Situations like this are common in Amish schools and communities where the same names appear again and again.
Some of the most common Amish girl names are Mary, Anna or Annie, Priscilla, Rachel, Sarah, Malinda, Miriam, Martha, Sadie, Susanna, Ruth, Hannah, Naomi, Lydia, Susie, Lena, Amanda, Alta, Barbara, Betty, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Esther, Lavina, Edna, Deborah, Lois, Clara, Joanna, Dorcas, Julia, and Fannie. Many of these names have biblical roots, while others have been passed down through generations of Amish families.
Amish Male Names
Common Amish boy names include Benuel or Benjamin, Aaron, Mark, Steven or Stephen, Samuel, Abner, Eli, Vernon, Elmer, Amos, Leroy, John, Paul, Jacob, David, Daniel, Omar, Abram, Isaac, Jonas, Henry, Mervin, Emmanuel, Moses, Joseph or Joe, Lloyd, Christian or Christ, Elam, Gideon, Marlin, and Melvin.
Years ago, many Amish people did not have full middle names. Instead, they often used a middle initial. That initial might come from the mother’s maiden name, the father’s first name, or another family connection. In communities with many people sharing the same first and last name, middle initials helped identify individuals more clearly.
My father’s name was Benuel S. Stoltzfus. He eventually had to change his middle initial because there were three men named Benuel S. Stoltzfus on the same mail route. To keep the mail from getting mixed up, he changed his initial to J. That gives a good picture of just how common some Amish male names can be in certain areas.
Traditional Names
The Amish first names listed here are some of the traditional names commonly heard throughout Amish communities. There are many others, including less common names that may be used only in certain families or settlements. As with surnames, Amish first names can vary by region, church affiliation, and family tradition.
In more recent years, some Amish parents have chosen names that are less traditional than the older biblical and family names. Even so, names such as Mary, Anna, Sarah, John, Samuel, Joseph, and David remain familiar and widely used. These names reflect both religious influence and the importance of family heritage.
If you meet someone with one of the Amish last names listed above, there is a reasonable chance that person may have Amish or Mennonite roots. However, a surname alone does not prove a person’s background. For example, Fisher is a common Amish surname in Pennsylvania, but not every Fisher family has Amish or Mennonite ancestry, at least not as far as some families have traced.
There are certainly more common Amish names that could be added to this list, along with rare and interesting names found in specific settlements. Amish naming traditions are a meaningful part of the culture, connecting families to faith, ancestry, and community history.
My Story of Growing Up Amish
- Amish Story Part 1: My Childhood
- My Story Part 2
- My Story Part 3: My Testimony
More About the Amish
- Who Are the Amish?
- Do Amish Farmers Use Tractors?
- Do the Amish Celebrate Easter?
- Why Don’t Amish Men Have Mustaches?
- Why Do Amish Women Wear Head Coverings?
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Amish books you might enjoy:
Amish for a Week: The True Story of an Author Staying with the Amish: A Journal with 90+ Photos
Behind Blue Curtains: A True Crime Memoir of an Amish Woman’s Survival, Escape, and Pursuit of Justice
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