Surname Wohner - Meaning and Origin
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Wohner: What does the surname Wohner mean?
The last name Wohner is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German term 'wenher', meaning 'guardian'. It is a variant of the surnames Wohner or Wehner, and is a relatively common surname in the German-speaking countries.
This surname generally refers to a guarded place, such as a town and its fortifications, or an area in an estate which was under particular protection. It may also have been used to denote a supervisor or a guard of a prison. The name may have been derived from working in such a role, but it is also possible that it denoted a person from the town of Wohner.
The name is believed to have been given to several communities in Germany in the medieval times, referring to someone who was either a watchman or caretaker of the area. The name is also found as Watner or Watson in the United States, although this is spelling variant.
So, the last name Wohner likely derives from the Middle High German term 'wenher' which means 'guardian', or more specifically someone who is watching over or protecting a particular place. This could refer to either a watchman, the caretaker of an area, or even a supervisor or guard of a prison. The Wohner name likely carries a sense of protection and vigilance.
Order DNA origin analysisWohner: Where does the name Wohner come from?
The last name Wohner is most commonly found today in Germany and other German-speaking countries such as Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. According to a recent population analysis study, the surname is most prevalent in Germany. It is estimated that there are roughly 2,500 people by this surname living in Germany.
In other countries with strong ties to Germany such as the United States, the last name Wohner is becoming more visible as the German immigrant population grows. The US Census in 2019 indicates that about 1,900 people with this last name were living in the US at that time. However, the majority of them are concentrated in the US Midwest, with Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa having the highest population.
Outside of Germany and its former territories, the last name is also quite popular in France and the United Kingdom. A very small number of people with this last name can also be found in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, but their exact populations are as of yet insufficiently researched.
Variations of the surname Wohner
The surname Wohner is a German topographic name, referring to someone who lived in or near a settlement. It is derived from the Middle High German "Wunner" meaning a settlement, as well as the present-day German word "Wohnstätte" meaning a dwelling or house.
The spelling and surnames of this origin can vary by region, language, and era. Examples include: Woner, Wohnre, Wohnerr, Wohnerrr, Wohners, Vohner, Vohners, Vohnerss, Vonner, Vohnerssen, Wohnrisse, Wohnreysen, Wohnreesen, Wohnerser, and Wohnersch.
The spelling variations, particularly those of “Wohner”, are also found in variations such as “Woner” and “Wohnre”, which is a Germanified Form of the French surname “Laurent”. Additionally, there is the Dutch spelling “Vohner” or “Vohners”.
In Scotland, variants of Wohner may appear as “vonner”. Other spellings from within the British Isles may include “Wohners” and “Wohnersen”.
In the United States, the “Vohner” form of the surname might appear with a double s, and spellings such as “Vohnerss” and “Vohnerssen” are also found. Similarly, the spelling variant of “Wonner” is also seen.
Finally, some versions of the surname, particularly in its “Wohnerr” and “Wohnerrr” forms, might have been derived from an older surname with Germanic roots, such as “Wohnrisse”, “Wohnreysen”, “Wohnreesen”, and “Wohnerser”.
Famous people with the name Wohner
- Mark Wohner: American playwright known for his works such as Zoey & The Lost Monster, The Clause Parade, and Hyperactive!.
- Ruth Wohner: first lady of Switzerland from 1984–1988 as the wife of then Swiss president Pierre Aubert.
- Mike Wohner: former NBA basketball player for the Toronto Raptors during the 2007–2008 season, played for four other teams throughout his professional career.
- Mo Wohner: German television actress, known for her roles in Unsere Mutter, Unser Vater (2009–2010) and Gut zu Vögeln (2006).
- Stefan Wohner: professional photographer with work featured in renowned galleries such as the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the Yale University Art Gallery.
- Henry Wohner: American actor who appeared in a handful of films including The Longest Ride (2015) and My Father the Hero (1994).
- Yunus Wohner: Swiss footballer who plays as a defender for FC Wil in the Swiss Challenge League.
- Kai Wohner: former Austrian ski jumper who competed in the 1980 Winter Olympics, representing Austria.
- Ludwig Wohner: Austro-Hungarian freestyle and figure skater who finished ninth at the first Winter Olympic Games in Chamonix in 1924.
- Emma Wohner: Irish show jumper best known for representing Ireland at the 2016 FEI Show Jumping World Cup, placing fifth overall.