Surname Bickner - Meaning and Origin
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Bickner: What does the surname Bickner mean?
The surname Bickner is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German 'bücnere' meaning "skinner" or "tanner". The family name was originally borne by a class of professional tanners of animal hides. Bickner is also an occupational surname, which was given to a tanner who worked with leather and hides or to a person who sold leather articles.
The Bickner family practiced their craft in villages along rivers and waterways, which provided them with an abundance of water for washing and soaking the hides. Over time, these settlements grew in size and the Bickner family flourished due to their specialised trade. The Bickner surname can be found primarily in Southern Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Northern Italy and the Alsace region due to their shared Germanic history.
The modern spelling of the surname Bickner is an Anglicised form of the original German spelling; 'Bückner'. Although the spelling has changed, the meaning and origin of the surname remains the same - an individual who is a tanner or skinner of animal hides. Whether a Bickner was trading in the Middle Ages or working in a tannery today, it is clear that the family members harbour a long history of specialized leatherworking.
Order DNA origin analysisBickner: Where does the name Bickner come from?
The last name Bickner is not particularly common, but it is found throughout the world. For example, in the United States, Bickner is found primarily in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Outside of the United States, the last name Bickner is also quite common in Germany, where one can trace its origin back to the mid-1600s. The Bickner family originally lived in the region of Schlesien in the Prussian region of Silesia and their original German spelling was Bickelmeir. The name was closely related to the churches and the religious reforms of the 15th century. The family spread throughout Germany during the following centuries and today one can find it mostly in the west and north-west of the country, mainly in Rheinland-Pfalz and Baden-Württemberg. In addition, the last name is also quite common in Austria, where it can be traced back to the 18th century. Further afield, Bickner can also be found in Canada, where it is mostly concentrated in the province of Quebec, and in other areas of Europe, such as France, Switzerland, and Denmark. Furthermore, due to emigration, one can find the last name Bickner in countries such as Australia and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Bickner
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Bickner are: Pickner, Bickner, Bieckner , Bieckner, Bicknar, Bickner, Bicknare, Bickener, and Bickenar.
Pickner is the most common spelling, and is believed to be derived from a Middle High German word of the same spelling that means “pear seller.” It likely originated with someone who sold pears door-to-door and was given the title as an occupational name. It is found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.
Bickner is a variant spelling of Pickner and is found in the United States, England, Austria, and Canada. It is also derived from the Middle High German word, and is believed to have been given to an ancestor who sold fruit.
Bieckner is also a variant of Pickner and is found in Austria and Germany.
Bicknar and Bicknare are alternate spellings of Bickner and are found in the United States, Canada, England, and Scotland.
Bickener is another variant of Pickner and is found in Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic.
Bickenar is the most rare form of the Pickner surname. It is likely derived from the Germanic personal name Bickno and the suffix -er, meaning "son of." It is found in the United States, Canada, and England.
Famous people with the name Bickner
- Julia Bickner: German model and television host
- Steve Bickner: American Football coach and former player
- Brian Bickner: American chef and restaurateur
- Karla Bickner: Canadian actress
- Kathy Bickner: Investigative reporter and producer
- Chuck Bickner: American film editor and producer
- Mary Bickner: Anti-war activist
- Barbara Bickner: American artist and printmaker
- Dean Bickner: Australian cricketer
- David Bickner: American corporate lawyer