Common Amish Last Names
The Amish community is relatively closed, and because few outsiders join, a limited set of surnames appears frequently within their settlements. While occasional rare names exist and spellings can vary between regions, certain family names are widely associated with Amish and Mennonite heritage.
Growing up around Amish communities, last names often serve as clear indicators of background. Names like Miller, Stoltzfus, Yoder, and others immediately suggest an Amish or Mennonite connection. This pattern makes it easy to recognize people with that heritage in many areas.
[feast_advanced_jump_to]
Amish Last Names in Lancaster County, PA
I grew up in Lancaster County and my maiden name is Stoltzfus. Stoltzfus is one of the most common Amish surnames in Lancaster County. The name is well known throughout the region and you may see it on farm signs, businesses, and in local directories.
Stoltzfus is a German surname often interpreted as “proud foot” and is sometimes spelled Stoltzfoos. Many Stoltzfus families in the United States trace their ancestry to Nicholas Stoltzfus, who arrived from Germany in the 18th century. Records show thousands of people with this surname in the U.S., with a large concentration in Pennsylvania.
Other common Amish surnames in Lancaster County include King, Fisher, Esh, Lapp, Lantz, Blank, Zook, Schmucker, Kauffman, Beiler, Glick, Riehl, and Petersheim. Spelling can vary, but these names are frequently encountered in that area.
Amish Surnames in Holmes County, Ohio and Other Areas
In Holmes County, Ohio, Miller is especially common and often recognized as a typical Amish surname. Other prevalent names there include Troyer, Yoder, Schwartz, Hershberger, Schrock, Gingerich, Weaver, Schlabach, Bontrager, Raber, Coblentz, and Hochstetler. Variations in spelling are common, and many of these names also appear frequently in Amish communities across Indiana and other states.
Less common but still present surnames include Mast, Kline, Graber, Garber, Burkholder, Peachy, Chupp, Wengerd, Lehman, Kuhns, Keim, Eicher, Swarey, Stoll, Helmuth, and Headings. There are more uncommon names beyond this list, reflecting the diversity and history of different settlements.
What Are the Top Five Amish Last Names?
While exact rankings vary by region, five surnames commonly cited across many communities are Miller, Stoltzfus, Beiler (or Byler), Yoder, and Troyer. These names appear consistently in numerous Amish settlements and are often immediately associated with Amish heritage.
Popular Amish First Names
Traditional Amish first names are often drawn from the Bible and from older Germanic and English naming traditions. Some names are shortened or adapted—Stephen becomes Steven or Steve, Joseph may be Joe, and Malinda often becomes Linda. Naming patterns can differ between communities, and in recent years some Amish families have chosen less traditional names for their children.
Female Amish Names
Amish women’s names show considerable variety, though many families follow customs of naming children after grandparents, aunts, or uncles. This practice honors relatives but can result in several cousins sharing the same name. To distinguish among them, people often use the father’s name first (for example, “Dan’s Anna”) or refer to a married woman’s husband. Middle initials are also used to differentiate individuals.
Common female names you will frequently encounter include 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.
Personal examples reflect these naming traditions: my full name is Anna Mary Stoltzfus. A classmate shared the same name, so our teacher used both names for one of us while the other went by Anna to avoid confusion.
Amish Male Names
Traditional male names in Amish communities also draw from Biblical and traditional sources. Common male 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.
In earlier generations middle names were less common; many people used only a middle initial, sometimes reflecting a mother’s maiden name or a father’s first name. Practical adjustments—like changing a middle initial to avoid mail confusion—were not unusual in tight-knit rural routes and communities.
Traditional Names
The lists above cover many of the first and last names you’ll commonly hear in Amish communities, though they are not exhaustive. Naming customs vary by region and change slowly over time. Encountering one of the surnames mentioned in this article often indicates Amish or Mennonite roots, though exceptions exist—some names like Fisher are widespread beyond Amish communities.
There may be other common or unusual Amish names not included here. Readers familiar with additional names are welcome to remember them, as these family names reflect a long history and migration patterns within North American Amish settlements.
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?
AMAZON DISCLOSURE: I participate in an affiliate program that may earn me a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
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
Why Cows Need Names: And More Secrets of Amish Farms
The First Love