Surname Birnesser - Meaning and Origin
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Birnesser: What does the surname Birnesser mean?
The last name Birnesser is believed to be of Germanic or Dutch origin. The surname is derived from the Middle High German word “birn” which means “pear” and the term “sasse” which translates to “servant. Therefore, Birnesser translates to “the servant of the pear” in English.
In medieval Europe, much of society was hierarchical and it was not uncommon for individuals to take a servile name related to their profession or task. This suggests that people who bore the surname Birnesser had worked with pears in some way, such as tending orchards or harvesting and selling pears.
The surname is also found with variations, such as Birnasser and Bir den Sasser, which speaks to its spreading throughout Europe over the centuries. It is still quite common in Germany, with over 650 occurrences, and also in the United States, where about 60 individuals are known to have the family name.
Overall, the last name Birnesser is an intriguing name, suggesting a unique occupation or task from centuries past. It has a long history, and is still found across Europe and the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisBirnesser: Where does the name Birnesser come from?
The origin of the surname Birnesser is unclear, however, it appears to be of Germanic or Old High German origin. Today, the surname is widely spread around the world, with concentrations in Germany, the United States, France, Switzerland, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Australia, and Italy.
Within Germany, the surname is particularly associated with the Bavarian region, specifically Bergkirchen, Hodenkirchen and Schonbrunn. Here, the earliest records of the Birnesser family date back to the 16th century, when the family provided lawyers and public officials for the region. This suggests the family settled in the Bavarian area during the middle ages.
In the United States, the Birnesser surname has been present since the mid-19th century. Here, records reveal the earliest known bearer of the surname was Maria Birnesser, who emigrated to the US from Bavaria in 1849. As a result, the surname is mainly associated with states in the midwest, such as Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota.
In modern times, the Birnesser surname is still common throughout Germany, the US, and other parts of the world. Records show the surname is currently held by around 4,000 people, with descending families of the original Bavarian Birnessers still living in the midwest, while other members have spread across different parts of the globe.
Variations of the surname Birnesser
The surname Birnesser has various possible variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant of the surname is Birnstiel which is found mainly in Germany and other parts of central Europe. Other variants include Birnstieler, Birnstiehl, Birnasteel, and Birnesteller, with each having different geographical distributions.
In English speaking countries, the surname may be spelled Birnesser or Biernester, and there are variant forms of both. The variants for Biernester usually omit the ‘a’ of the standardised German form and may incorporate a ‘th’ sound, as in Biernsthor. Alternatively, the name may be Anglicised to Biernester or Bierneaster.
In non-German speaking countries, alternative spellings and surnames of the same origin are also possible. In Italy, it may be spelled as Birnesta or Biernester. In France, it may show up as Bierneste or Biernier, and in Spanish it may be spelled Birnaste or Biernesto.
In continental Europe, the surname may also be recorded as Byrnastel, Byrnastell, Byrnesteel, or Byrnesteller. This spelling is particularly common in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden. In the Netherlands it may be spelled as Biernestel or Berrnestede.
In Scotland, the surname may have also be changed to Birness or Blythness. This variant of the surname is especially popular in the Central Belt and in the west coast, particularly in Glasgow.
Overall, the surname Birnesser has many variations and spellings, as well as various surnames of the same origin. When searching for family history, it is important to remember that the name may appear in any one of its various forms, sometimes in places not initially expected.
Famous people with the name Birnesser
- Zarah Birnesser: award-winning Hollywood film and television actor
- Dennis Birnesser: professional French rugby player
- Fred Birnesser: German former professional footballer
- Neal Birnesser: former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Bek Birnesser: prominent Australian soccer player
- Sarah Birnesser: celebrated pianist and composer
- Alex Birnesser: Austrian professional ice hockey player
- Zack Birnesser: American professional wrestler
- Gregory Birnesser: American novelist
- John Birnesser: American-born Canadian civil engineer and architect