Surname Wissner - Meaning and Origin
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Wissner: What does the surname Wissner mean?
The last name Wissner is a Germanic surname originating from the Middle High German terms “wizzen” and “wizze” which translates to “to know”. This term was applied to people who were considered to be educated, knowledgeable, or wise. Alternatively, the surname can come from the Middle High German word “wissen” which translates to “to see”, indicating that the original bearer of the name was a seer or visionary. In some cases, it may have evolved from the Middle High German word “wisshan” which (when used in a surname context) signifies a person who lives near a particular landmark, such as a forest or mountain. In its earliest form, the Wissner surname can be traced back to the mid 13th century, making it one of the oldest surnames in its homeland.
In more recent times, the Wissner surname has spread beyond its homeland and can be found all over the world. In the United States, the surname was typically spelled as Wissner, Wisner, or Witsner according to the 1860 census. It is still a common surname in both Germany and the United States. It is an indicator of the Germanic cultural legacy that has been so prominent in both countries, and serves as a reflection of the worldwide reach that the German language has had.
Order DNA origin analysisWissner: Where does the name Wissner come from?
The last name Wissner is most commonly found in Germany, although it is also somewhat present in the United States. It is a German name derived from Old High German, meaning “one who weaves“.
In Germany, Wissner is found commonly in the region of Bavaria and other areas of southwestern Germany. It is one of the thousands of surnames that reflected the professions and occupations of its ancestors. In the US, Wissner is most prevalent in New York and Pennsylvania, likely due to the number of German immigrants who settled in these states.
In the US, Wissner is an uncommon last name but can be found in recent US Census Records. There are more than 4,000 people with this surname currently living in the country. The states with the most people with this name are Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Illinois, and Florida.
The Wissner surname is also found in other countries including Canada, Brazil, Austria, Czech Republic, Italy, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom.
Overall, the last name Wissner is a relatively uncommon name, but it can be found in areas with larger German-speaking populations.
Variations of the surname Wissner
The surname Wissner has a number of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, the most common of which include Wiesner, Weissner, Weisner, Wisner, and Wesner. Each of these variations of the surname originated in German-speaking regions where it was derived from the Middle High German word “wissen” meaning “to know”, suggesting that the original bearer of the name held a reputation for their special knowledge or skill.
When the original spelling of the surname changed through generations, its variations switched between Wissner and Wiesner, ultimately splitting the surname apart. Throughout this process of fragmentation, various regional dialects affected the spelling of the surname, resulting in Wiesner, Weissner, Weisner and Wisner becoming more prominent in certain regions than others.
In some cases, double surnames were created when cultures such as the German, Dutch and Swiss introduced the practice of adopting two surnames, either through marriage or biological code. As a result, surnames such as Wissner-Weissner, Weisner-Wisner and Wiesner-Wisners began to appear among individuals who descended from the same family.
Other variants of this surname which may be related, but not directly derive from the German-based name, include Wisner, Weisner, Wisniewski and Wigner. These surnames may have a separate origin to their German-based counterparts, and should not be assumed to have the same origin.
Overall, the Wissner surname has been fragmented due to regional language differences. Despite the variations in spelling, however, it is certain that all of its variants remain related and bear the same meaning of special knowledge or wisdom.
Famous people with the name Wissner
1.Will Wissner: American baseball player and coach. 2.Vladimír Wissner: Czech businessperson and film producer. 3.Wes Wissner: American Yamaha Master Piano Technician and teacher. 4.John Wissner: American Brewing Executive and former Chief Executive Officer of Miller Brewing Company. 5.Andrew Wissner: American corporate executive from Florida. 6.Matthias Wissner: German Olympic gold medalist in rowing. 7.Claire Wissner: German Olympian Alpine Skier. 8.Leah Wissner: American screenwriter and film producer. 9.Thomas Wissner: German lawyer and legal consultant. 10.Max Wissner: German physicist and inventor. 11.Kendra Wissner: American writer and YouTube personality. 12.Noah Wissner: American stand-up comedian and writer. 13.Matthias Wilhelm Wissner: German Protestant theologian. 14.Kai Wissner: German songwriter, guitarist, and producer. 15.Konrad Wissner: German artist and glass designer. 16.Joel Wissner: American music producer and recording engineer. 17.Ib Wissner-Jacobsen: Danish film director and screenwriter. 18.Janice Wissner: American professional ballerina. 19.Christoph Wissner: German astronomer. 20.Neil Wissner: American volunteer lawyer with Arizona Voice Human Rights organization.