Surname Kürschner - Meaning and Origin

Unveiling Surname Origins and Global Connections: A Review of the iGENEA DNA Test

Having taken the iGENEA DNA test, the author takes us through their journey of discovering their surname, Kürschner's origin, and connecting with a worldwide community of Kürschners.

N. Kürschner

Kürschner: What does the surname Kürschner mean?

The last name Kürschner is a German occupational surname. It derives from the word "kürschen," meaning "to cut leather." The surname was likely given to an individual whose occupation involved leatherworking. This could include any type of position from a tanner to a shoemaker, saddlemaker, or leatherworker.

Kürschner is a rather uncommon name, with a population of roughly 1,500 individuals as of 2015. It can be found mainly in Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, Poland, and Hungary. In these countries it is also spelled as Kurzner, Kürzner, Kürscher, and Kürshner.

The etymology of the surname comes from the Germanic word skerz- or skirz- meaning "to cut leather." The spelling of the name is thought to have shifted from a "Kürschner" to "Kürscher" and then eventually to "Kürschner" due to phonetic changes over the centuries.

Kürschner is a unique and meaningful last name. It provides those who bear it a connection to their cultural and occupational ancestry. The history behind the name gives it a sense of pride and charm.

Kürschner: Where does the name Kürschner come from?

The last name Kürschner is generally associated with Germany, where the name is largely concentrated today. Records indicate that the Kürschner surname originated in the medieval city of Hanau in the Upper Hessen region of the country. It then spread out to other regions of Germany, particularly in southwest Germany such as Saarland, Baden-Württemberg, and Rheinland-Pfalz.

The Kürschner surname can also be found in parts of Austria and Switzerland where those regions experienced an influx of German immigrants. Additionally, records show that some members of the Kürschner family have emigrated to other parts of Europe, as well as the United States, Canada, South Africa, and Australia. As evidence of the Kürschner surname's spread, it is especially common in cities such as New York City, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Sydney.

The Kürschner name remains most popular in the regions of Germany where it originated. Since the 20th century, Germany has seen a slight decrease in surnames like Kürschner due to an increase in population since WWII.

However, the Kürschner name is still relatively widespread throughout Germany today, with over 10,000 people living with the surname across the country.

Variations of the surname Kürschner

The surname Kürschner is derived from the Middle High German word kürschner which means leather worker. It is a German occupational surname meaning furrier and is equivalent to the English surname Tanner. Variants of the Kürschner surname include Kirschner, Kurschnir, Kurschnre, Kurshiner, Kircher, and Kurschner.

Kurschnir is an older spelling of Kürschner that was common during the Middle Ages. Kurschnre is a variant which is found mostly in Southern Germany. Kurshiner is a spelling variant of Kürschner found primarily in the region of Swabia in Southwest Germany. Kircher is an alternative spelling used by some Austrian families.

In some cases, the surname Kürschner has also been rendered as a patronymic, leading to surnames such as Kürschnerin or Kürschnerein. Kürschnergruber is a polygenetic surname that can be found in some parts of Austria and Southern Germany.

The spelling variants have led to a number of different surnames. For example, Körschner is one surname which emerged as the result of the variant spelling Körschner. Many other surnames have been created in the same way. These include Körschnerer, Körschneri, Körschenreuter, Körschnerlein, and Kochörschner.

In addition to the spelling variants, variations of the Kürschner surname also exist within different dialects. Kürschner, for example, is known as Corschner, Korschner, Kerschner, or Körschner in some areas. The surname Grünecker is also derived from the same root and is found mainly in the area around Suhl in the state of Thuringia.

Famous people with the name Kürschner

• Mickie Kürschner: German singer-songwriter with a successful solo career.
• Engelbert Kürschner: Austrian scientist and inventor who revolutionized global energy production with his groundbreaking work in solar technologies.
• Friedrich Kürschner: Austrian artist most famous for his landscapes and portraits.
• Lilli Kürschner: German figure skater who won the gold medal at the 1996 Winter Olympics in the 4-skaters division.
• Kurt Kürschner: German football coach who was one of the most successful trainers of all time.
• Carola Kürschner: German fashion designer with her own clothing line in the 1970s.
• Jacob Kürschner: German journalist and writer who had a long career in the newspaper industry.
• Max Kürschner: Austrian composer and musician known for his melodic and lyrical music.
• Hans-Jürgen Kürschner: German politician and senator who served as Chancellor from 1994-1998.
• Wilfried Kürschner: German actor who was nominated for an Academy Award in 1998 for his performance in the drama movie My Happy End.

Other surnames

Kürschners