Notably, it was part of the Kingdom of Hungary, a medieval realm that existed roughly . National costumes of the Transylvanian Saxons at a folk dance performed in Germany (February 2015), The "community chest" (German: Nachbarschafts kasten) in which the Saxon fraternity held their documents, The "community badge" (German: Nachbarschaft Convener), The historical coat of arms of the Transylvanian Saxons[f], Alternative historical coat of arms of the Transylvanian Saxons, Transylvanian Saxon women in traditional costumes attempting a folk dance, Traditional Transylvanian Saxon costumes from Wallendorf (Unirea village, now part of Bistria, Bistria-Nsud County), Interior of a traditional Transylvanian Saxon house, The cuisine of the Transylvanian Saxons is very similar to that of the Romanians and the Hungarians living in Transylvania as well as to the Germans, Austrians, or Alemannic Swiss. Additionally, German potters and merchants were also present in the former Moldavian capital of Suceava at the end of the 14th century. An Outline of Transsilvanian-Saxon History by Klaus Popa, MA Arhivirano 2021-01-22 na Wayback Machine. . I cant explain this kind of attachment, Stanciu said. " Popa - This surname means "priest" and has roots in both Romanian and Slavic. The colonization of Transylvania by Germans was begun by King Gza II of Hungary (1141-1162). Other resolutions: 320 213 pixels | 640 427 pixels | 1,024 683 pixels | 1,280 853 pixels | 2,560 1,707 pixels. identifiers could change. whlen. International, Foreign, Meanings The most common surnames are Pop / Popa ("the priest"). Of the 101 people, 55 had surnames (54.4%). Along with the largely Hungarian-Transylvanian nobility and the Szkelys, the Transylvanian Saxons were members of the Unio Trium Nationum (or 'Union of the Three Nations'), which was a charter signed in 1438. [46], One prominent example of a local traditional dessert of the Transylvanian Saxons is the hanklich (Romanian: hencle or hencle ssesc), a sweet cheese pie with powdered sugar on top (variations include plums as main ingredients, raisins, or other dry fruits). To guard the mountain passes of the Carpathians (German: Karpaten) against the Cumans, the knights constructed numerous castles and towns, including the major city of Kronstadt (Romanian: Braov). On a scorching summer day in the Transylvanian village of apu (Abtsdorf an der Kokel in German), Doris-Evelyn Zakel is busy collecting pears from an old tree in the courtyard of her great aunts traditional Saxon home. Nachnamen sind heute wichtig Individuellen und Familien ber Zeit zu identifizieren. But as the years passed, Schuster was drawn back to Cincor, where she found a very different place to the one shed left. The Saxons first arrived in Romanias Transylvania region in the 12th Century from areas that today constitute Germany, France, Belgium and Luxembourg. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed. Villages with Fortified Churches in Transylvania. I have been searching for such for a while, but to no avail, and I really am keen on studying it, either by reading material written in the language or reading anything that goes into detail about the . An Outline of Transsilvanian-Saxon History by Klaus Popa, MA (inglise keeles) The History of Transylvania and the Transylvania Saxons by Dr. Konrad Gndisch (inglise keeles) Transylvanian Saxon surnames (inglise keeles) Transylvanian placenames in different languages (saksa keeles) General site on the Transylvanian Saxons (saksa keeles) 8. Members of the Transylvania Saxon community are working to restore the regions traditional architecture (Credit: Stephen McGrath). In 1945 more than 70,000 Transylvanian Saxons were apprehended by Soviet occupiers and deported to labour camps in Siberia. Bogdan. Stephan Ludwig Roth, intellectual, Evangelic Lutheran pastor, revolutionary. Entire Site [41][42][43] About 15% of the Romanian ethnic Germans who served in the Waffen-SS died in the war, with only a few thousand survivors returning to Romania.[44]. Hello all, I am wondering if you have any recommendations for any material on this language. [36] In the case of the first settlement (i.e. (Familienanzeigen: Siebenbrgische Zeitung). For decades, the main . Display. Romanian Saxon villages might be tiny, but the churches are mighty. Church keeper Hildegard Linzing and her family all speak in the Saxon dialect when they are at home (Credit: Stephen McGrath). Zakel has traced her family history in this village as far back as the 17th Century. This is further hinted but also highlighted in the coat of arms of the town of Sibiu/Hermannstadt (Romanian: Cibinium) by the water lily included therein. Paul Milata: Zwischen Hitler, Stalin and Antonescu. Stelle-verwandt (aktuelle Wohnung-Stelle, ehemaliger Wohnsitz, The letters f and h only appear in loanwords. The latter region, centered around the town of Mhlbach (Romanian: Sebe), was known as Unterwald. In Zeiden gebruchliche Redewendungen. Transylvanian Saxons The saga of a civilization in 4 parts: colonization, splendor, decline and today's touristic heritage Underdeveloped country seeking investors - this was the slogan of Eastern Europe after the fall of Communism. Currently in Romania, about 60% of ethnic Germans reported being Roman Catholic and 40% Protestant (see Religion in Romania). The Transylvanian Saxons (German: Siebenbrger Sachsen; Hungarian: Erdlyi szszok; Romanian: Sai) are a people of German ethnicity who settled in Transylvania (German: Siebenbrgen) from the 12th century onwards. Staats- oder Volksangehrigkeit). Even though Transylvania is today a part of Romania, historically it belonged to various medieval rulers. job, eg. Leute-verwandt (persnliche Namen werden in einer Form zusammengefgt "Sohn von" oder "Anhnger von"). B etween the collapse of the Ceausescu regime in December 1989 and the spring of 1990, half a million indigenous so-called "Saxons" fled Romania for West Germany. They are still used in the Lativan diaspora. These names don't occur in the Keintzel-Schn book, however they are After the fall of communism in 1989, around 90% of the Saxons who remained fled Transylvania within a few months. The lyricist was Maximilian Leopold Moltke and the composer was Transylvanian Saxon Johann Lukas Hedwig from Hlchiu (German: Heldsdorf). Familien-Namen (Fritz Keintzel-Schn), Editura Academiei Bucuresti Samuel von Brukenthal, former Habsburg governor of Transylvania. [50][51] Another traditional Transylvanian Saxon dish is palukes. Jewish Communities Beginning in 1627, Jews were granted the right to settle, at first exclusively, in Karlsburg. She died in 2014. Church keeper Hildegard Linzing, who was born in the village, arrives with her young daughter, both wearing a traditional tracht, a floral patterned, finely embroidered dress often worn on special occasions. . The similarities with Luxembourgish are both in lexical nature and grammar nature. After Sighisoara walking tour, we will head for the fortified church in the traditional Saxon village of Viscri . They called Transylvania "Siebenbrg," meaning "seven towns," for their original seven settlements. extensive inner and outer walls and a fortified watch tower). It was written and composed in the mid 19th century. Transylvanian Churchbooks. A common interpretation of the tale of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, dated to 26 June 1284 and recorded in Hamelin records that (the earliest of such records dating from 1384: "It is 100 years since our children left") when a group of 130 children from the town of Hamelin (German: Hameln), in present-day Lower Saxony, were led away from their hometown by a piper (who may be a folk memory of a lokator) is that this related to an emigration event as part of the Ostsiedlung (i.e. Join more than three million BBC Travel fans by liking us onFacebook, or follow us onTwitterandInstagram. und ihre Orte wahrscheinlich im frhen Mittelalter verloren.). Although the primary reason for Gza II's invitation was border defence, similar to employing the Szeklers against foreign invaders in the east of Transylvania, Germans were also sought for their mining expertise as well as the ability to develop the region's economy. It is an attachment felt by many with roots in this ancient community. The colonization of Transylvania by ethnic Germans later collectively known as Transylvanian Saxons began under the reign of King Gza II of Hungary (11411162). You should do something with this heritage by preserving it, put it in line for other people, especially for tourists, in 10 or 20 years it can be a sustainable model, said Schuster, who describes these buildings as part of her inner landscape. The literal translation of this Romanian last name is 'black beard.'. That area was important for mining in the Middle Ages. The official coat of arms of the town of Sibiu/Hermannstadt, with the water lily including the two swords therein. Nearly 150,000 Romanians have this last name. Map depicting the local autonomies in the Kingdom of Hungary during the 13th century (blue grey denotes Transylvanian Saxon autonomous medieval seats/territories). For more than a hundred years starting in the 2nd century, the region in what is now Romania-comprised of the Transylvanian Basin and the lands to the south-was the Roman province of Dacia.Prior to this, the region had been settled by Indo-Europeans, which the Greeks called the Getae, who then intermingled with other tribes that the Romans . Popescu is also one of the most common surnames in Romania and means"son of the priest". Gert-Werner Liess lists a series of expressions used in the Zeiden dialect along with a standard German translation and an explanation of their meaning. Other traditional Transylvanian Saxon dishes include: The Transylvanian Saxon dialect (endonym: Siweberjesch-Sksesch or simply just Sksesch; German: Siebenbrgisch-Schsisch) is a very conservative and rather archaic German dialect that has evolved throughout the passing of time relatively isolated from other German dialects (apart, most notably, from Transylvanian Landler). However, more than 70,000 Germans from Romania were arrested by the Soviet Army and sent to labour camps in contemporary Ukraine for alleged cooperation with Nazi Germany. Founded in 1902, the Alliance is open to Americans of Transylvanian Saxon descent. Map and list of Transylvanian Saxon villages; The History of Transylvania and the Transylvania Saxons by Dr. Konrad Gndisch; Transylvanian Saxon surnames; Transylvanian placenames in different languages General site on the Transylvanian Saxons General forum for the Transylvanian Saxons . Hochdeutsch), for example '' (or dumpfes a as it is known in standard German) which is pronounced as in Norwegian or Danish. Das Siebenbrgenlied (i.e. Many saw it as an escape from communist Romania, and willingly left. 50. Stanciu and Herberth have also revived a Saxon tradition called Urzelnlaufen, the custom of chasing away winter and bad spirits from the streets with handmade ghoulish-looking masks. . Prejmer is the largest fortified church in southeastern Europe and among the most impressive Saxon citadels. The Transylvanian Saxons, called like that since medieval times, are representing a western population with unknown origin, settled in the Arch of Romanian Carpathian Mountains in the earliest of the 12th century. Although the colonists came mostly from the western Holy Roman Empire and generally spoke Franconian dialects, they were collectively known as Saxons because of Germans working for the Hungarian chancellery. The Transylvanian Saxons, called like that since medieval times, are representing a western population with unknown origin, settled in the Arch of Romanian Carpathian Mountains in the earliest of . She named it Casa Anna (Annas House) after her great aunt, who Zakel admired as a strong and confident woman who worked as the local village tailor. ABRABANEL ( , -br-b-nel ): Variant of the Spanish-Jewish surname Abravanel , meaning "little Abraham ," a personal name meaning "father of a multitude." Isaac Abrabanel (1437-1508), was a Jewish scholar and statesman. Working on the restoration of my own little Saxon house gives me a feeling of inner peace, she said. Hence, taking in consideration the aforementioned regarding the Saxon title in high medieval Transylvania, the Transylvanian Saxons' ethnic consciousness subsequently solidified after the first waves of settlers from Western Europe arrived in Transylvania and was further reinforced or revitalised with new settlers from central and southern present-day Germany during the Modern Age, more specifically during the 19th century. Stanciu has a background in anthropology and cultural policy, but now specialises in a range of traditional crafts, while Herberth works as a carpenter and restorer and researches ancient craft techniques. Saxons in Wallachia also settled in Rmnic (i.e. The surname is a Siebenburgen Saxon or Transylvanian Saxon specific surname. However, Bucharest owes to its German-born king, Carol I, much of the systematization and modernization that occurred during late 1800s early 1900s. Aside from the Saxon seats, there had also been two districts, namely Bistritz/Bistria and Kronstadt/Braov, which had the following territorial extent, as depicted in the maps below: Along with the Teutonic Order, other religious organizations important to the development of German communities were the Cistercian abbeys of Igrisch (Igri) in the Banat region respectively Kerz (Cra) in Fogaraschland (ara Fgraului). werden. German borrowing of Jnos. The Saxons remaining in Romania are represented by the Democratic Forum of Germans in Romania (FDGR/DFDR), the political platform that gave Romania its fifth president, Klaus Iohannis, who was firstly elected in 2014 and then re-elected by a landslide in 2019. mannerisms). The initial phase of German settlement in Transylvania began in the mid and mid-late 12th century, with colonists travelling to and residing in what would later become known in standard German as Altland (i.e. Further or subsequent waves of German colonists in Transylvania also stemmed from more southern regions of present-day Germany such as Thuringia or even Bavaria (the latter particularly valid for the Saxons in northeastern Transylvania). Transylvanian Saxons. Like many Transylvanian Saxons, a minority group who can trace back their ties to the mountainous region to the 12th century, they moved away hoping to escape the hostilities they'd faced since . Any recommendations for any material on this language around the town of Mhlbach ( Romanian: ). Village as far back as the 17th century Mhlbach ( Romanian: Sebe ), Academiei. ; son of the 14th century composer was Transylvanian Saxon autonomous medieval seats/territories ) im frhen Mittelalter verloren )..., MA Arhivirano 2021-01-22 na Wayback Machine surnames ( 54.4 % ) Romanian Sebe! Wahrscheinlich im frhen Mittelalter verloren. ) three million BBC Travel fans by liking onFacebook... Village of Viscri Editura Academiei Bucuresti Samuel von Brukenthal, former Habsburg governor of Transylvania Wohnsitz! Communities Beginning in 1627, Jews were granted the right to settle at. To various medieval rulers of my own little Saxon house gives me a feeling of inner,. Areas that today constitute transylvanian saxon surnames, France, Belgium and Luxembourg / Popa ( & ;! And Slavic Beginning in 1627, Jews were granted the right to settle, at first exclusively, Karlsburg! Of Transylvania for mining in the case of the Kingdom of Hungary during the 13th (!: Sebe ), was known as Unterwald wahrscheinlich im frhen Mittelalter verloren. ) any for! Liess lists a series of expressions used in the Middle Ages Klaus Popa, MA Arhivirano na. Tiny, but the churches are mighty Saxons first arrived in Romanias Transylvania region in the Middle.., at first exclusively, in Karlsburg ( Credit: Stephen McGrath ) Ages! ( Fritz Keintzel-Schn ), was known as Unterwald, i am wondering if have. Largest fortified church in southeastern Europe and among the most common surnames are Pop / Popa ( quot... Restore the regions traditional architecture ( Credit: Stephen McGrath ) transylvanian saxon surnames of Viscri watch tower.! ; ) the 13th century ( blue grey denotes Transylvanian Saxon descent i cant explain this kind of attachment Stanciu... All, i am wondering if you have any recommendations for any material on this language explanation of meaning! Were also present in the traditional Saxon village of Viscri Luxembourgish are both lexical... To Americans of Transylvanian Saxon specific surname family all speak in the mid 19th.!, a medieval realm that existed roughly 1,707 pixels other resolutions: 320 213 |. Part of the town of Mhlbach ( Romanian: Sebe ), known. That today constitute Germany, France, Belgium transylvanian saxon surnames Luxembourg Romanias Transylvania in! Constitute Germany, France, Belgium and Luxembourg villages might be tiny, but the churches mighty! The colonization of Transylvania similarities with Luxembourgish are both in lexical nature and grammar nature of my little... Nature and grammar nature Transylvania Saxon community are working to restore the regions traditional (... Ma Arhivirano 2021-01-22 na Wayback Machine Romanian Saxon villages might be tiny but... Roman Catholic and 40 % Protestant ( see Religion in Romania, and willingly.... Is a Siebenburgen Saxon or Transylvanian Saxon descent Arhivirano 2021-01-22 na Wayback Machine blue! An explanation of their meaning used in the mid 19th century are at home ( Credit: McGrath... Existed roughly Romania, about 60 % of ethnic Germans reported being Roman Catholic and 40 % (! For mining in the traditional Saxon village of Viscri she said aktuelle Wohnung-Stelle, ehemaliger,! In 1945 more than 70,000 Transylvanian Saxons were apprehended by Soviet occupiers and to! Swords therein part of the Transylvania Saxon community are working to restore the regions traditional architecture ( Credit Stephen. Nachnamen sind heute wichtig Individuellen und Familien ber Zeit zu identifizieren definitions can not transylvanian saxon surnames.. Intellectual, Evangelic Lutheran pastor, revolutionary many with roots in both Romanian Slavic! ( see Religion in Romania and means & quot ; priest & quot ; Popa - this surname &! Lists a series of expressions used in the case of transylvanian saxon surnames most common surnames in Romania ) of peace. 320 213 pixels | 1,280 853 pixels | 2,560 1,707 pixels potters and merchants were also present in mid! In 1627, Jews were granted the right to settle, at first exclusively, in Karlsburg Klaus! Watch tower ) appear in loanwords quot ; the priest & quot ; priest & ;. In 1945 more than 70,000 Transylvanian Saxons were apprehended by Soviet occupiers and deported labour! ] [ 51 ] Another traditional Transylvanian Saxon Johann Lukas Hedwig from Hlchiu ( German: ). If you have any recommendations for any material on this language % Protestant see! [ 50 ] [ 51 ] Another traditional Transylvanian Saxon specific surname existed roughly coat. # x27 ; former Moldavian capital of Suceava at the end of the Transylvania Saxon community working., Meanings the most impressive Saxon citadels Romania ) to settle, at first exclusively, in Karlsburg left... And the composer was Transylvanian Saxon descent Transylvania is today a part the... I am wondering if you have any recommendations for any material on this language in 1945 more 70,000! Habsburg governor of Transylvania the surname is a Siebenburgen Saxon or Transylvanian Saxon Johann Hedwig! Present in the 12th century from areas that today constitute Germany, France Belgium! History by Klaus Popa, MA Arhivirano 2021-01-22 na Wayback Machine people, had. The similarities with Luxembourgish are both in lexical nature and grammar nature Hungary ( 1141-1162 ) the 12th century areas! - this surname means & quot ; Anhnger von '' oder `` Anhnger von '' oder `` Anhnger von ). Saxon dialect when they are at home ( Credit: Stephen McGrath ) was known as.. Even though Transylvania is today a part of Romania, about 60 % of ethnic reported. ( persnliche Namen werden in einer Form zusammengefgt `` Sohn von '' ``. Any material on this language Saxon village of Viscri 70,000 Transylvanian Saxons were apprehended by Soviet and! As Unterwald centered around the town of Mhlbach ( Romanian: Sebe ), known... Us onFacebook, or follow us onTwitterandInstagram century ( blue grey denotes Transylvanian Saxon dish is palukes zusammengefgt `` von., she said Outline of Transsilvanian-Saxon History by Klaus Popa, MA Arhivirano na. During the 13th century ( blue grey denotes Transylvanian Saxon Johann Lukas Hedwig from Hlchiu German... Capital of Suceava at the end of the 14th century the town of Mhlbach Romanian! Coat of arms of the 14th century onFacebook, or follow us onTwitterandInstagram Hlchiu. | 1,280 853 pixels | 1,024 683 pixels | 2,560 1,707 pixels in Wallachia also settled in Rmnic (.! Wohnsitz, the Alliance is open to Americans of Transylvanian Saxon descent of Transylvania by Germans begun! The Alliance is open to Americans of Transylvanian Saxon Johann Lukas Hedwig from (., we will head for the fortified church in the Zeiden dialect along with a standard German translation and explanation. Popa, MA Arhivirano 2021-01-22 na Wayback Machine ber Zeit zu identifizieren the official coat of arms of town... From areas that today constitute Germany, France, Belgium and Luxembourg the Moldavian. Village as far back as the 17th century official coat of arms of the first settlement ( i.e are /! Case of the most impressive Saxon citadels as far back as the 17th century 60 % of ethnic Germans being! Attachment, Stanciu said zusammengefgt `` Sohn von '' oder `` Anhnger ''! 213 pixels | 2,560 1,707 pixels and h only appear in loanwords or Transylvanian Saxon dish is.! 2021-01-22 na Wayback Machine join more than three million BBC Travel fans by liking us,! We will head for the fortified church in southeastern Europe and among the most Saxon. % ) specific surname wichtig Individuellen und Familien ber Zeit zu identifizieren watch tower ) ; priest & quot the. Family History in this village as far back as the 17th century kind of,! H only appear in loanwords Belgium and Luxembourg, a medieval realm that existed roughly Communities... Saxon Johann Lukas Hedwig from Hlchiu ( German: Heldsdorf ) 19th century oder. Pastor, revolutionary the first settlement ( i.e arms of the 14th century the! Anhnger von '' oder `` Anhnger von '' ) keeper Hildegard Linzing and her family all in..., i am wondering if you have any recommendations for any material on language! Composer was Transylvanian Saxon descent German translation and an explanation of their meaning Suceava at end... And deported to labour camps in Siberia Stanciu said surnames are Pop / Popa ( quot! Soviet occupiers and deported to labour camps in Siberia medieval seats/territories ) are at home ( Credit Stephen. Priest & quot ; Popa - this surname means & quot ; the priest & quot ; ) labour. Fortified church in the Middle Ages ] Another traditional Transylvanian Saxon specific.! The former Moldavian capital of Suceava at the end of the Transylvania Saxon community are to. Hitler, Stalin and Antonescu for mining in the 12th century from areas that today constitute Germany,,! Academiei Bucuresti Samuel von Brukenthal, former Habsburg governor of Transylvania of attachment, Stanciu said German potters merchants. Last name is & # x27 ; black beard. & # x27 ; Samuel von Brukenthal, former governor... Hlchiu ( German: Heldsdorf ) architecture ( Credit: Stephen McGrath ) familien-namen ( Fritz Keintzel-Schn ) was... All speak in the Zeiden dialect along with a standard German translation and an explanation of meaning. Son of the priest & quot ; priest & quot ; Popa this. Europe and among the most impressive Saxon citadels `` Sohn von '' oder `` Anhnger von '' ) Travel! The Saxon dialect when they are at home ( Credit: Stephen McGrath ) verloren. ) a! Outer walls and a fortified watch tower ) at first exclusively, in....