Surname Waninger - Meaning and Origin

Waninger: What does the surname Waninger mean?

The last name Waninger is of German origin and is derived from the first name Waninger, which in turn is a corrupted form of the Old High German 'Wancher', meaning 'guardian' or 'protector'.

The surname Waninger is occupational in origin, typically a topographic or local surname which relates to someone from a place with the same name, or the name of one's place of origin. The surname could also be associated with a guardian of a land owner or nobleman, meaning Waninger may have been a German soldier or protector of the local lords.

In modern times, the Waninger surname can be found throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Hungary as well as in large international populations in the US, Canada and elsewhere throughout the world.

People with the last name Waninger are said to be loyal, organized, reliable, helpful, and traditional; they enjoy team-work and want to make sure that their work is done properly and correctly. They are hard-working and hold family above all else.

Waninger: Where does the name Waninger come from?

The last name Waninger is most commonly seen today in Germany. Records indicate that the surname extends back to the Middle Ages in the German Thurigian region of the country. In more modern times, many Waninger families relocated to nearby Europe where they could still access their cultural heritage and language.

Today, Waninger is still an oft-used surname in Germany. It is especially common in areas such as Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Saxony-Anhalt, and the Lower Saxony state. According to the US Census Bureau, the surname is among the top 100 surnames for German-speakers living in the United States today.

Moreover, Norway, Denmark, Italy, Finland and Sweden have also reported significant Waninger populations over the past century. This indicates that the Waninger surname has spread throughout Europe, the Russian Federation and other nearby nations.

The Waninger surname remains one of the most commonly seen surnames among German-speaking peoples throughout Europe and beyond. Its roots are strongly tied to the Thurigian region in Germany, where the last name is even more commonly seen today.

Variations of the surname Waninger

The surname Waninger is of German origin and is derived from the German word Waninger, which is a topographic name referring to someone living by a bend in the river or a stream. The other variants and spellings of this surname are Waninger, Wanigar, Wanegar, Weininger, and Weinniger.

The surname has its roots in what is now the Elsass region, which was part of German-speaking areas of Alsace and Lorraine. It is found today in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the United States, as well as other countries.

The surname Waninger may also have an alternative origin in the personal name Wininger or Winiger, mythical chieftains of the Burgundian tribe mentioned in the epic poem Nibelungenlied which was written in the Middle Ages. In other cases, the name may have been derived from a given name Waningo, found in Latin documents from the 6th century.

The earliest record of the surname occurring in a historical document is found in 1544 when one earned a degree at the Leipzig University in 1544. This document was recorded in the Latin form Johannus Winengar. The name appears in church records in 1627, when a Barthel Weininger married Anna at the Protestant church in Ichenheim, Germany.

Due to its early settlement, the surname Waninger has spread around the world and there are numerous branches of this family settled in different parts of the world. In the United States, the surname is commonly spelled as Waninger and is found mainly in the Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Missouri states.

In the United Kingdom, the surname is found mainly among Scottish and English descendants and is commonly spelled as Wanegar and Wanigar. The surname is also found among Australian settlers, reaching Australia during the mid 19th century. Here, the variants include Waninger and Weininger.

The variants of the surname Waninger include Waninger, Wanigar, Wanegar, Weininger and Weinniger, and each of these spellings can be found across several countries around the world.

Famous people with the name Waninger

• Georges Waninger (19th-century French violinist)
• Mikhail Waninger (Olympic slalom canoeist from France)
• Heinz Waninger (German Fencers born in 1881)
• Joe Waninger (American figure skater and Olympic team member)
• Lewis Waninger (American military veteran and composer)
• John Waninger (American figure skater and World team member)
• Mohammed Waninger (prominent Qatar-based entrepreneur)
• Erik Waninger (Scandinavian water-polo player)
• Oliver Waninger (British four-man bobsled pilot)
• Fritz Waninger (French composer, conductor and musicologist)
• James Waninger (American historical novelist and playwright)

Other surnames

Waning