Surname Misner - Meaning and Origin
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Misner: What does the surname Misner mean?
The surname Misner is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "meisner", meaning a maker or seller of knives. This points to the occupational origin of the surname, suggesting that the initial bearers of the name likely worked as knife makers or sellers. As was common in the Middle Ages, surnames were often given based on one's job or trade. Therefore, those carrying the Misner surname would have been identified in their community by this trade. Like most surnames, over time it would have been passed down through the generations, becoming a familial identifier. Despite its German roots, geographical distribution of the surname is now global due to migration and societal changes. Different variations of the name may exist.
Order DNA origin analysisMisner: Where does the name Misner come from?
The surname Misner is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "meisner", meaning a stonemason or builder. The first recorded spelling of the family name dates back to Joerg Meisner, recorded in the "Weissenfels", Germany, in 1560.
The majority of people with the Misner surname are found in the United States, according to surname distribution data. However, it also appears in Canada, Australia, and to a lesser extent in Germany. In the U.S., states such as Iowa, Ohio, and Pennsylvania have a significant number of Misners, likely due to the German immigrants who settled there. Nevertheless, the surname is not common and is relatively rare globally.
Variations of the surname Misner
The surname Misner is relatively uncommon and has few variants. It belongs to the category of occupational surnames, which are derived from the primary occupation of the bearer. In the middle ages, people did not have surnames but were referred to by their occupation, therefore it's likely that the original Misner was someone who worked as a masseur.
Misner is thought to have originated from German or Jewish (Ashkenazic) roots. Variants of Misner do not vary much in spelling, with Mizzner and Mizner being occasional alternatives. Other possible variations may be Misener, Misenor, Misnar, Mysner, or Mysenar.
This surname has orthographic variations due to regional characteristics and phonetic similarities. Sometimes, the surname could have been spelled differently by scribes and church officials, as they recorded it as they heard it.
It should be noted that depending on immigration records and regional dialects, some families may have adjusted or changed their surnames to seem more local, thereby creating more variants.
Therefore, while Misner is not a particularly common surname and does not have a large variety of known variants, the original spelling may have transformed as people moved, migrated, or changed their name to fit in with their surroundings.
Famous people with the name Misner
- David Misner, the president of the Los Angeles-based firm Misner Company.
- Don Misner, an American professional wrestler
- Stephen Misner, an author and speaker who specializes in biblical prophecy
- Janice Misner, a Canadian poet
- Gary Misner, a former American football player
- Paul Misner, an American actor
- Grant Misner, an entomologist
- Chris Misner, a former American professional baseball pitcher
- Sterling Misner, a modern minimalist artist
- Tyler Misner, a professional motocross racer
- Emma Misner, an Australian film and television actress
- Scott Misner, a graphic designer, illustrator, and visual artist
- Lia Misner, a fashion model
- Daisy Misner, a child actress
- Kaylee Misner, a country music artist
- Thomas Misner, a British composer and conductor