Surname Weinhammer - Meaning and Origin
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Weinhammer: What does the surname Weinhammer mean?
The last name Weinhammer is of German origin. It originated during the Middle Ages, when many people in Germany began to adopt last names to help distinguish a family from another. The literal meaning of Weinhammer is "wine hammer". It is believed to have been used to denote a cooperative affiliation between a winegrower and a blacksmith working together to produce grape presses or other tools used in winemaking. The blacksmith would make the press, and the winegrower would lift it onto the barrels.
The word ‘Weinhammer’ consists of two individual elements, or syllables. The first is Wein, meaning ‘wine’; and the second is Hammer, meaning ‘hammer’. Put together, the meaning would suggest that the bearer of this name was connected with the production of wine. It could also define an occupation, possibly one of a vineyard manager.
The surname Weinhammer is found all around the world today, from Europe to North America and other countries. In the United States, the highest concentration of this name is found in Pennsylvania and other states in the northeast.
Overall, the last name Weinhammer is an indication of strong backgrounds, both historically and culturally. It suggests the bearer of this name has roots in the wine industry, and likely some skill with metalwork as well. It also serves as a reminder of German pride and the old customs that never die.
Order DNA origin analysisWeinhammer: Where does the name Weinhammer come from?
The last name Weinhammer is most commonly found in areas of Europe. It has a strong presence in Germany and Switzerland and has a notable presence in Austria, as well.
The surname Weinhammer is derived from the Middle High German phrase "wimme", which translated to English means "vine frost". This suggests that the name originates from wine producers or vintners. The name likely refers to a family of German wine makers.
Weinhammer also appears in Poland, The Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic and other parts of Central and Eastern Europe. In the United States, it is most common in the midwestern states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.
It's also possible there are populations of Weinhammer in other countries, as well as in areas of the United States not typically associated with German ancestry. As the world continues to see more mobility and intermingling of cultures, the chances of encountering Weinhammer's, wherever one lives, grows.
The last name Weinhammer is quite popular considering its relatively narrow cultural and geographical scope. Despite its origin in Germany, Weinhammer has spread throughout Europe and beyond, making it a recognizable name across the world.
Variations of the surname Weinhammer
The surname Weinhammer has several spelling variants and surnames of the same origin. There is Weinhammer, Weinhamer, Weingärtner, Wainhammer, Wienhammer/Wienhamer/Wienhammar, Weinammer, Weinaner, Wainammer, Winehammer, and Wyandhamer.
Weinhammer is derived from the German von Weinhammer, which translates roughly to “from (the place of) the grapevine” or “from the vineyard.” The name likely indicates the original family’s profession of making wine. Variations in spelling likely arose from differences in dialects of German, as well as in the Germanic and Slavic languages of the regions where the family may have originated.
Weinhamer is the most common spelling variation of the Weinhammer family name, deriving from the Middle High German surname Wenihamere. Numerous other spellings and related surnames are derived from the German origin. Wainhammer presumably derives from the Bavarian-Austrian spelling of Weinhamer, and Weingärtner likely comes from a place-name denoting a wine-growing district.
Weinammer has its origins in variants of the German Weinhammer and in the Middle English Wainammer. Weinaner, Wainammer, and Winehammer likely came from a merging of the German Wagner and Weinhammer. Wienhammer, Wienhamer, and Wienhammar likely descend from the Austria-Swabian form of the surname. Lastly, the Americanized form of the surname, Wyandhamer, is thought to be derived from the Eastern Germanic form Weindhamer.
Famous people with the name Weinhammer
- Herb Weinhammer: a former Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Dean Weinhammer: an American former professional ice hockey defenseman.
- Alexa Weinhammer: American professional soccer forward who currently plays for Sky Blue FC of the National Women's Soccer League.
- Herb Weinhammer Jr.: the son of Major League pitcher, Herb Weinhammer.
- George Weinhammer: retired professional ice hockey player.
- Dan Weinhammer: former defensive back in the National Football League.
- Bruce Weinhammer: former American ice hockey player who competed in the 1972 Winter Olympics.
- James Weinhammer: former Vice President and General Manager of the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball from 1984 to 1987.
- Rick Weinhammer: American soccer player and coach.
- Hank Weinhammer: former Canadian ice hockey player who played for the Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League.