Surname Pewsner - Meaning and Origin
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Pewsner: What does the surname Pewsner mean?
The Jewish last name Pewsner is derived from the Polish word pionier, which means pioneer. In the Jewish context, this word alludes to someone who was a pioneer of a previous region, emigrating from somewhere else in search of a better life.
The Pewsner family, who have lived in various parts of Europe and the United States, have roots that can be traced back to the 16th century in the small Galician town of Kraków, now located in the modern-day nation of Poland.
The name Pewsner is believed to have been developed as a pejorative term to describe those Jews who were early settlers in the region. This name was then passed down through the generations of successive Jewish immigrants.
The Pewsners have faced historical persecution in every country they have called home. They have overcome poverty, displacement, religious persecution and war. It stands as a testament to their tenacity that the Pewsner family was able to endure such adversity.
The courage and resilience of the Pewsner family is an inspiring example of how a pioneering spirit can withstand the test of time. It is a reminder that, despite the odds, hard work and determination can result in success.
Order DNA origin analysisPewsner: Where does the name Pewsner come from?
The surname Pewsner is relatively uncommon today, and mainly found in the United States of America. According to data from the US Census Bureau in 2019, Pewsner is the 45,234th most common last name in the United States, shared by around 2000 people. The vast majority of residents with this surname live in New York, where around 800 people with the name Pewsner live dispersed across the state. The second most common state for this surname is Florida, followed by California and Pennsylvania.
Most people with the last name Pewsner can trace their ancestry back to Germany, where it is vastly more common than in the US. In German spelling, the name is usually written as Pietschner, but the suffix '-er' is sometimes dropped for the American version. In Germany, the name is widely distributed and is particularly numerous in Lower Saxony and Bavaria.
The exact origin of the name is unknown, but it may be comprised of elements from the Old Germanic words "piot" (people) and "sneo" (to ascend) together meaning the "ascending people". The exact etymology of the surname, however, cannot be known for certain.
Variations of the surname Pewsner
The surname Pewsner is a rare one of possibly Germanic origin. It may be derived from the Middle High German "Pewz" meaning "perseverance," so originally denoted someone who was particularly tenacious. Variations on the spelling include Peusner, Peuzner, Pevsner and Pevzner.
The origin of the surname has led to further variants at various points in history as it evolved into other spellings. Pevzer, Pewser, Pavezner, and Peznaner are all examples of surnames which have developed from the original Pewsner.
In some cases it is possible to trace the different spellings back to the same family. In North Wales, for example, the name is most commonly found as Pevsner, however other spelling variants can also be found. In the 1920s and 1930s, the orthographer Mathew Pevzner documented multiple families with the various spellings of the surname living in that area.
Similarly, Pevzaner has been used relatively rarely, but is sometimes documented in various regions of Germany, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine. As with other spellings, the surname has become transformed in areas where a different language was spoken and thus the spelling changed.
Overall, the surname Pewsner has evolved over time and has adopted various spellings, reflecting its Germanic roots. From Poozner to Peznaner, it is fascinating to see the way in which this name has gained new variants and spread across Europe.
Famous people with the name Pewsner
- Naftali Pewsner: Naftali Pewsner is an Israeli attorney, businessman, and politician. He is most known for founding several defense technology companies, as well as his past role as the Mayor of Petah Tikva, Israel.
- Abraham Pewsner: Abraham Pewsner was a Ukrainian-born American art dealer, collector, and philanthropist. He was an important figure in New York's art scene during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s.
- Vivian Pewsner: Vivian Pewsner was an American lawyer and activist. She was active in the civil rights movement and in various social justice initiatives.
- Lenore Pewsner: Lenore Pewsner was an American real estate agent and business executive. She served as president and CEO of Pewsner Real Estate from 1976 to 2000.
- Meyer Pewsner: Meyer Pewsner was a film producer, director, and screenwriter. He is best known as the executive producer of the films Decline and Fall and Endless Circle.
- Philip Pewsner: Philip Pewsner was a Swedish–American physician who co-founded the first hospice in the United States in 1974.
- Yaffa Pewsner: Yaffa Pewsner was a British–Israeli archaeologist and Biblical scholar. Her scholarly work focused on the historical geography and archaeology of the ancient Near East.
- Paul Pewsner: Paul Pewsner was a German film composer and orchestrator. He is best known for composing the scores for such films as Memories of my Son and What a World.
- David Pewsner: David Pewsner was an American oil executive who served as president of Marathon Oil Corporation from 1966 to 1974.
- Joel Pewsner: Joel Pewsner is an American entrepreneur and business executive. He is the founder and CEO of the automotive reselling website, AutomotiveX.