Surname Eisner - Meaning and Origin

Eisner: What does the surname Eisner mean?

The surname 'Eisner' is an Ashkenazic Jewish surname that originated in the German region. The name literally translates to 'iron worker', likely a reference to the profession of the original bearer.

Eisner likely first arose in East Franconia, the southern part of the modern German state of Hesse, an area associated with the early settlement of Ashkenazic Jews in the Middle Ages. During this period, it was more common to use surnames derived from professions, so the original bearer of the name would most likely have been an ironworker or blacksmith.

The surname has since spread throughout the Jewish diaspora, particularly as individuals moved away from Germany and Eastern Europe in the wake of persecution. Many members of the Eisner family have gone on to become successful professionals, from academics and business leaders to distinguished rabbis and politicians.

In Hebrew, 'Eisner' is spelled אייזנער. It is a popular name today; many Eisner families still have active members in the Jewish community, both in Israel and elsewhere.

Eisner: Where does the name Eisner come from?

The last name Eisner is most common in Germany today. According to the World Names Profiler, a research project sponsored by a university in Göttingen, Germany in partnership with the University of Cambridge, nearly 7,000 people bear the last name Eisner in Germany. Additionally, the surname is also found in Austria, the United States, Canada, England, and elsewhere.

In Germany, the Eisner surname can be traced back centuries. Researchers believe the surname is an occupational one, referring to a 'maker of wine casks' known as a 'Eisener'. As records indicate that the surname was first adopted in the 13th century, the Eisner family is one of the oldest in the region.

In the United States, many Eisners emigrated in the late 19th or early 20th century. Most of them settled in major cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Pittsburgh. The surname is particularly prevalent in both New York and Pennsylvania. It appears, though, that the population of Eisners in the United States is dwindling.

Overall, the surname Eisner is still relatively common in Germany but has seen a notable decline in its population in other countries. Continued research will help determine just how much the last name has changed over the centuries.

Variations of the surname Eisner

The surname Eisner is an Ashkenazi Jewish occupational name derived from Yiddish meaning a “merchant” or “innkeeper” and is likely of German origin. As such, there are a variety of national and regional variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the name. Common surname variants and spellings of the Eisner surname include Esner, Eshner, Isner, Issner, Izzen and Izzens.

The German variants of Eisner are Eisen and Eiserman. While Eisen is the most common variant, there is also Arend, Aren, and Arens. Additionally, in the Netherlands, one can find Iese and Eskoort. The Polish/Ukrainian variants are Isnar and Isner, as well as Izner, Izzner, Mayze, Meisels and Majzel.

In countries with a Hispanic heritage, the name has been influenced by Spanish and Portuguese, becoming Eissner and Eisneros in some areas. Other variants have also been known to include Epzner, Esnar, Essner, Easner, Eisnery and Iseman.

In England, the Anglicized version of Eisner is Janson. The Scottish spelling is Ersner, while the Irish version is Ervin.

Overall, the surname Eisner is widespread and is known to be found amongst Jewish, German, Dutch and Eastern European families. Variants of the surname also exist in England, Scotland, Ireland and Hispanic countries, with numerous spellings associated with different cultures and languages over the centuries.

Famous people with the name Eisner

• Michael Eisner: Former chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company
• Carl Eisner: German operatic baritone
• Stan Lee Eisner: Former comic book publisher
• Kat Eisner: Director, editor, and cinematographer
• Dale Eisner: American playwright and screenwriter
• Bill Eisner: Founder of the William Randolph Hearst Corporation
• Vivian Eisner: Pioneer female Broadway director
• Ken Eisner: Canadian film and television producer
• Kimberly Eisner: American businesswoman and philanthropist
• Mark Eisner: Film, television, and stage actor

Other surnames

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