Surname Peiniger - Meaning and Origin
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Peiniger: What does the surname Peiniger mean?
The last name Peiniger is an occupational name derived from the Middle High German ‘terpoglazen’ meaning ‘master of spinning’ or ‘spinner’. People with this name were likely involved in the early stages of the cloth industry in medieval Europe. Spinning was one of the first major home-based professions to be taken out of the home and organized outside the family into the more formalized cloth industry of the period.
A ‘Peiniger’ was a highly skilled and established professional that typically created fine fabric, clothing, yarns, and threads from fibers such as wool, cotton, and/or flax. The Peiniger had specialized tools at their disposal, such as spindles, spinning wheels, and distaffs. This profession reached the height of its popularity during the 12th and 13th centuries, making the Peiniger one of the most respected craftsmen in Europe at the time.
The name Peiniger has likely been modified over the generations, but its origins are clear. In most cases, the first recorded mention of the name dates back to the late 16th century, when records of artisans began to be kept in local archives. Today, Peinigers are found scattered throughout Europe, and the name is a reminder of the cloth industry’s proud history.
Order DNA origin analysisPeiniger: Where does the name Peiniger come from?
The last name Peiniger is most commonly found in Germany today. According to Forebears, a geneology website, it’s from the given name “Pfenninger” and is of German origin. The name is most concentrated in the Southeast of Germany, specifically the states of Bavaria, Saxony-Anhalt, Baden-Wurttemberg, and Thuringia. Spreading out from this area, the name can also be found in smaller numbers in other countries including Austria and Switzerland.
In modern-day Germany, Peiniger is in the top 20K of most common last names, making up 0.022% of the population. It’s quite an uncommon name, but it still has a recognizable presence in the country.
The popularity of the last name has had peaks and declines throughout history. For example, in 1840 there were 90 Peinigers living in the state of Prussia, while by 1927, there were only 30. Despite this, it’s been an identifiable name in Germany for centuries and remains so today.
Variations of the surname Peiniger
The surname Peiniger is believed to have evolved from the German word "peiniger" which means tormentor or oppressor. It may also have arisen from the name of a prominent noble family, the "von Peiniger," who held power in the early Middle Ages in the area of Thuringia.
Variations of this surname include Painer, Behringer, Beniger, Benegar, Penger and Pinger. Spellings may vary depending on the region and era; some examples are Peininger, Peining, Peiniger, Peingier, Penegar, Peninger and Pengerer.
In some areas of Germany, Penger has become Penegar and Patzgar which are both believed to have derived from the Germanic verb “Penen”, meaning to punish or accuse. The surname Beiniger is also connected to the same root, with Bein meaning leg.
In some parts of Europe, the surname has evolved to the forms Peiniger, Penniger and Peinigeror. In the United States, this surname is commonly seen spelled as Payneer and Penninger.
Overall, the surname Peiniger has undergone various changes in spelling and form, across regions and throughout history. Variations of the name have developed over time, with the core meaning of tormentor or oppressor still fundamentally linked to this familial name.
Famous people with the name Peiniger
- Ralph Peiniger: German-American soccer player who competed in the 1938 FIFA World Cup.
- Sacha Peiniger: Australian fashion model.
- Cyril Peiniger: Australian poet and composer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Brice Peiniger: American animator and director best known for his work on 'The Powerpuff Girls'.
- Eldon Peiniger: Canadian amateur hockey player.
- Wilhelm Peiniger: German WW2 naval officer.
- Dr. Axel Peiniger: German astronomer who observed supernovas during the 1960s.
- Kymberly Peiniger: Australian lawyer and animal rights activist.
- Johanna Peiniger: American Olympic athlete who competed in the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
- Loek Peiniger: Dutch musician and composer.