Surname Waischnur - Meaning and Origin
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Waischnur: What does the surname Waischnur mean?
The last name Waischnur is an Ashkenazic Jewish surname. It is derived from the German word Waisch meaning 'a sack or bag'. The suffix -nur is derived from the Middle High German word nœre, meaning 'bag with strings'. Therefore, the last name Waischnur is an occupational surname and originally referred to a profession of making and selling bags.
The name first appeared in records in the 11th century, and was likely adopted by many Jews in central and eastern Europe as they journeyed eastward. In this region of Europe, the Waischnur surname was likely found in Ashkenazic Jewish communities in various towns and cities, such as Vienna, Prague, and Lviv.
In more recent times, people bearing the Waischnur name have spread out into numerous countries. It is a particularly common name in eastern and central Europe, and in America, especially in areas such as New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
Those with the last name Waischnur can be proud to have a surname which is derived from the Jewish tradition of making and selling bags. Its symbolic meaning echoes the adventurous journeys of the Jewish people throughout the centuries in search of a better future.
Order DNA origin analysisWaischnur: Where does the name Waischnur come from?
The last name Waischnur is most commonly found in Germany, where it is derived from a nickname given to a person who regularly dwelled at the edge of a clearing near a body of water. The name is both a geographic and a nickname, referring to the German word “waise” meaning “water-dweller”, and the suffix “-nur” which means “at”.
The surname has appeared throughout Germany since at least the 1600s and remains popular today, with an estimated 8,000 individuals carrying the name. It has been most common in the states of Hesse, Bavaria, and Thuringia, with the Highest density of Waischnur individuals found in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Schleswig-Holstein.
Outside of Germany, the surname can be found in small numbers in Austria, Switzerland, Poland, the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, and Australia. In the United States, it is most commonly found in New York, New Jersey, California, and Pennsylvania; while in Canada is is the most common in British Columbia and Ontario.
Due to its frequent German origin, Waischnur is associated primarily with German culture and is a reminder of German heritage in those countries in which it is found.
Variations of the surname Waischnur
Waischnur is, according to some genealogists, a translation of the German word Wäscher, meaning “washer”. Other spellings of the surname include Waeschnur, Waescher and Waeshnur.
This surname likely originated with people who were skilled in washing clothes and linens. It is possible that these people worked as a washer or launderer for a noble house, monastery or wealthy family. It is also likely that the surname was used to distinguish one 'washer' from another, as such a person would have been a valuable member of the community in the days before modern-day technology.
Variants of Waischnur include Weischnur, Weischur, Wäschner and Waeschnur. Variations of the name can vary by region and country; for example, Waeschnur is a frequent variant seen in Austria and Bavaria. In the Netherlands, the surname is usually spelled Waeshnur, while in Silesia it appears as Waeschner or Wäschner.
Other, less-common surname variations include Weischnauer, Weischauer, Wischnig, Wiesching and Wischnig. Waaschnur is also an acceptable spelling of the surname in some locations.
The less-common surnames mentioned here are unlikely to be related to the original Waischnur family; it is likely that they are descended from families who later adopted the Waischnur surname as their own.
Famous people with the name Waischnur
- Nicole Waischnur, film producer and businesswoman
- David Waischnur, businessman and philanthropist
- Bashar Waischnur, actor and photographer
- Allen Waischnur, the co-founder of Roam Mobility
- Max Waischnur, classical pianist and composer
- Marc Waischnur, composer and violinist
- Claude Waischnur, painter, sculptor, and installation artist
- Vicky Waischnur, fashion designer
- Wendy Waischnur, technology entrepreneur
- Nadine Waischnur, businesswoman and investor