Surname Eissinger - Meaning and Origin

Eissinger: What does the surname Eissinger mean?

The last name Eissinger is of German origin. It is a toponymic name, which is derived from the name of the place of origin of the original bearer. The name is derived from words such as "Eisen" or "Eisenberg" meaning iron or iron mountain respectively. It is believed that the original bearer of the name may have either resided near an iron mountain or had an iron-related business.

The name is also associated with the medieval profession of steelyard scales. In medieval times, a steelyard was a piece of iron or steel fixed to the ground, on which goods were weighed and quantities measured. The name likely originates from either the serving of this profession or of conducting it near a mountain of iron.

Today, the name is found throughout Europe, especially in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In the United States of America, the name is found in both its singular spelling of Eissinger, as well as a variation in spelling, such as Eisenberg and Eisenberger.

The name is associated with strength and endurance. It signifies someone who is strong in spirit, as well as someone who is reliable and steadfast in their beliefs. The root of the name is indicative of an honorable character trait, which is passed down from generation to generation.

Eissinger: Where does the name Eissinger come from?

The last name Eissinger is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the south and south-west areas. This is attributed to early records of the surname during the 11th century in Bavaria, when the name was spelled Eisenzinger.

Recent population studies from 2018 rank Eissinger as the 24,527th most popular surname in the world, and the 319th most common German last name. In Germany, it is most commonly found in the states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia.

Immigrants from Bavaria and the surrounding area are believed to have taken the surname to other countries around the world. During the 19th century, for example, people with the Eissinger surname arrived in America. This group of people settled mainly in Pennsylvania, where they still remained in the 20th century. It is also thought to have been carried to French settlements in Canada, too.

Today, the name is found in other parts of Europe, such as Austria and Switzerland. There are reports of the surname being present in Limited numbers in nations such as the Netherlands, Lithuania, and Hungary.

Naturally, there are also many Eissingers living in other countries around the world who have migrated or had ancestry in the German-speaking region.

Variations of the surname Eissinger

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Eissinger include: Eisinger, Eissenga, Eising, Eyssing, Eysinger, Aisinger, Aissing, Aissinger, Aesing, Aisinger and Eisingr.

The name Eissinger is likely of German origin, originating from the Bavarian region of Germany. The name likely derives from the Middle High German “ic” meaning “iron” and “singen” meaning “to sing” which was combined to form the name “eisinger” or “one who sings with iron” and that eventually evolved into “Eissinger”.

In medieval times, “Eissinger” was an occupational surname and referred to a blacksmith or ironsmith who would “sing” with iron while hammering it into the right shape, leading to an audible ringing sound. It is also likely that those who adopted the surname were related to persons who actually sung with iron as a means of producing music.

In some cases, the surname may also find an origin in the Middle High German “eisen” which means “strong” or “battle-worthy.” In this case, the surname likely referred to those who “battled” in a much metaphoric sense and implied some nobility or greatness.

No matter the origin, the surname Eissinger is found all across the world, but still has its highest concentrations in the Bavarian region of Germany. Many of these immigrants are still found in America, however, primarily centered around Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York, and Ohio.

Famous people with the name Eissinger

• Max Eissinger: German professional footballer who plays as a forward for SV Sandhausen.
• Nanci Eissinger: Former member of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and present member of the first violin sections of both the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and the Orchestra of St. Luke's.
• Emmett Eissinger: American professional ice hockey center who played four games in the National Hockey League in the early 1950s.
• Wilma Eissinger: Former hot air balloonist and the third woman to hold a private pilot's license in California.
• Harvey Eissinger: American engineer, aircraft designer and businessperson who made a significant contribution to the development of the military and civilian aviation industry in the 1950s and 1960s.
• Fritz Eissinger: German composer and pianist who was a member of the Frankfurt Group of composers in the early 20th century.
• Hugo Eissinger: German botanist and geneticist who founded the International League for Plant Research in 1901.
• William F. Eissinger: American engineer, research scientist, and inventor in the field of rocketry, space travel, and astronautics.
• Chris Eissinger: Drummer, composer, and arranger who has worked with many notable artists such as Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker, and Jeff Lorber.
• Larry Eissinger: American jazz drummer and educator who has performed and recorded with John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and numerous other jazz legends.

Other surnames

Eissing