Surname Senner - Meaning and Origin

Senner: What does the surname Senner mean?

The surname Senner is of German origin and it principally signifies an occupation. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "senne," directly translating to "alpine dairy farmer." Therefore, the individuals who bore this last name originally were likely involved in the vocation of dairy farming or cheese making in mountainous or alpine regions. Over time, as descendants dispersed and diversified in their occupations, the name became a familial identifier rather than strictly an occupational title. Such occupational surnames were quite common in Europe, particularly in Germany, providing clues about the professions or roles of people's forefathers. Hence, the last name Senner highlights a historical link to dairy farming or cheese production, particularly in alpine territories of German speaking regions.

Senner: Where does the name Senner come from?

Senner is a surname that is of German origin. It is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other German-speaking countries. It is also present in other countries with a German diaspora, such as the United States, Canada, and Brazil. The name is also popular with the Mennonites, a religious and ethnic group of people descended from both Dutch and Flemish Protestants who emigrated to North America in the 16th and 17th centuries.

In modern times, the surname is widespread throughout Germany and Austria, where it is most commonly associated with the multiple large communities of Mennonites living throughout the two countries. It is also quite common in the small towns of the Black Forest region in Southwestern Germany and Eastern Austria. In the United States, the Senner surname is most commonly found in the states of North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, all of which have large populations of Mennonites.

Senner is also a popular name in Brazilian cities such as Espirito Santo, Santa Catarina, and Parana, which were settled by German immigrants in the early 1800s. Additionally, the surname is quite popular in Canada, particularly in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.

Overall, Senner is a fairly common surname today, particularly in Germany, Austria, and the United States, as well as other countries with a German diaspora. Wherever there is a strong Mennonite presence, it is likely that the surname Senner will be present.

Variations of the surname Senner

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Senner are Senor, Sonner, Sonor, Soner, Senor, Sonar, Saner, Sonnier, Zonar, Zener, Zoner, Zuner, Sennar, Zenner, and Zannier.

Senner is considered to be a surnames of German origin, though it may also be associated with Czech and Hungarian culture. The surname is thought to have first appeared in the Rhineland region of Germany in the 12th century, and may have been a metonymic occupational surname for someone who was a sinner or man of the courts. It is also possible that the surname was derived from the Middle High German word 'senner', meaning fence maker.

The spelling of the surname varies depending on the dialect. The most common variants of the surname Senner are Senor and Sonner, though many other variants exist. The spelling Saner can also be found in some regions of Germany, such as Bavaria. The Czech spelling Sonor and Soner can be found across the Czech Republic. The Hungarian spelling of Sonnier is often seen in Hungary. Variants Zonar and Zener are also found in some regions of Italy, while Zoner and Zuner are variations found in Switzerland.

In France, the surname is sometimes spelled Sennar, while the Austrian and Swiss dialects of German typically spell the surname Zenner. The rare spelling Zannier is more often found in the Netherlands, France and Luxembourg. This variation of the surname is thought to have come from the Old German root 'zan', meaning to cut or split.

Overall, the surname Senner can take various forms and spellings. While the spelling in each region differs slightly, the variants all stem from the same root, making them names of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Senner

• Noah Senner: An American tech entrepreneur credited with co-founding Opendoor, a real estate technology company based in San Francisco.
• Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul: A German politician who was a senior figure in the Social Democratic Party of Germany and was a minister in the cabinet of the Federal Republic of Germany, serving as Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development from 1998 to 2009.
• Wolfgang Senner: A German physicist and television presenter who has appeared in various German TV programs, including Der Tag on ARD.
• John E. Senner: An American businessman who was the CEO and president of the IBM PC manufacturer Amstrad from 1989 to 1997.
• Richard E. Senner: An American politician who represented Ohio in the United States House of Representatives from 1959 to 1965.
• Brian Senner: A Canadian optoelectronic engineer and accomplished entrepreneur who is best known for his work with the development of the liquid crystal display technology.
• Robert Senner: An American football coach and college athletics administrator who served as the head football coach at the University of Hawaii and Temple University.
• Ryan Senner: An American hockey player who is currently an assistant coach for Iowa Wild in the American Hockey League.
• Steve Senner: An American high school teacher and coach who was the head football coach at Parkland High School from 1996 to 2020.
• Murray Senner: An American painter and sculptor who was a founding member of the art collective Hyena, which focused on pop art and political commentary.

Other surnames

SennetSennett