Surname Weisspfennig - Meaning and Origin

Weisspfennig: What does the surname Weisspfennig mean?

The last name Weisspfennig is of German origin and derives from the word “Weisspfennig”, which literally means “white penny”. It is generally thought to refer to a coin minted in Germany in the late Middle Ages as well as to someone with light hair. The word itself is derived from the Middle High German “wizzenpfenning”, which in turn can be traced back to the Germanic term “wīz” which meant “white” or “pale”.

This surname is relatively uncommon in Germany, but is most common in areas around the city of Boppard, located in the Rheinland-Pfalz region of Germany. Many people who bear this surname have come from this region of Germany.

The Weisspfennig family is believed to have originally been located near the Rhine River in the early 16th century. This family moved around quite a bit during the Reformation, ultimately settling in what is now southern Germany. The Weisspfennig family planted its roots in Germany, growing and becoming one of the largest families in the area.

Today, the Weisspfennig family is widely dispersed around the world. Many descendants of the original family live in various countries, bringing with them their ancestral name and the stories of their ancestors. Despite being somewhat rare, the Weisspfennig family name is carried with great pride by many people today, and stands as a testament to the long and proud heritage of the family.

Weisspfennig: Where does the name Weisspfennig come from?

The last name Weisspfennig is most commonly found today in Germany, where records indicate that it dates back at least to the 1500s. It can also be found in eastern Europe, particularly in Poland, and in parts of the United States and Canada.

In Germany, its traditional home, Weisspfennig is a common last name, particularly in the southern states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. It is also found in the Silesian and Saxony regions, along with several others. Records indicate that the first of the Weisspfennigs lived in the region around Regensburg in Bavaria in the 16th century.

In Poland, the name is spelled in its local form of Vaysspfennig, with its origins linked to the Mazowieckie region of the country. Many emigrants from Poland to the United States and Canada in the late 19th century and early 20th century had the name Weisspfennig, which became a familiar sight in those countries.

Weisspfennig is also an anglicized version of other last names, such as Wajspfenning and Weisspfeffer. In North America, it is still found among German-American and Polish-American communities, but its numbers are likely dwindling as family lines are lost or changed.

Variations of the surname Weisspfennig

Weisspfennig is a German surname of occupational origin derived from the Middle High German word “wispfenninc” or “Wispfenning” which means “small penny”. It is most likely used to refer to someone who was a trader or minter of coins.

Variants of the Weisspfennig surname include Veispfennig, veispfenning, Weispfenning, Wyspfynning, Wispfpennig, and Wispefenning. Additionally, the surname is spelled differently in different countries, such as Wispenning or Wispenig in the Netherlands, Wispenning or Wispeneg in Luxembourg, and Wimpenning in England.

The surname can also take on different forms as a result of various regional and language differences. For example, it may be spelled Wispfenningen, Wispenfeninger, or Wispenninger in some areas of Germany. In Switzerland, the name may also be found as Wispenninger.

Other forms of the surname, such as Weispenning and Wispenningar, can be found in parts of Scandinavia. Other variations that may be found include Wispfeninger, Wispenninga, Wispenninger, and Wiespfennig.

Different spellings may also lead to completely different surnames. In some places, the Weisspfennig surname could be derived from Wöspfender or Wissendorff, while in other places, it could be derived from Weisendort.

Ultimately, Weisspfennig is a common German surname with many variants, spellings, and regional forms of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Weisspfennig

• Miriam Weisspfennig: German Discus Thrower
• Jennifer Weisspfennig: award-winning science fiction and fantasy author
• Janet R. Weisspfennig: prominent law professor in the U.S.
• Henri Weisspfennig: former mayor of Berlin
• Annette Weisspfennig: German children's author
• George Weisspfennig: World War II POW
• Doris Weisspfennig: Austrian-born British opera singer
• Jochen Weisspfennig: world renowned organist
• Emilia Weisspfennig: prominent 19th century musician
• Dora Weisspfennig: German sculptor

Other surnames

Weisspfenning