Surname Pennypacker - Meaning and Origin
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Pennypacker: What does the surname Pennypacker mean?
The last name Pennypacker is of English origin and is considered a trade or occupational surname. It is derived from the Old English words "penig" meaning "penny" and "pæcere" meaning "packer". The surname possibly refers to a person who packed pennies or dealt with small sums of money, such as a money changer or banker. Another possible interpretation can be a person who packed goods for selling or shipping in penny packs or who made or sold small wares. Throughout historical documents, the name has been found spelled in various ways, including Pennypacker, Penypacker, and even Pennicott. Members of the Pennypacker family have been traced back to the 15th century in the United Kingdom and many emigrated to America in the 17th and 18th centuries. Today, Pennypackers are found all over the world, notably in the United States. Notable persons with the surname Pennypacker include the 23rd Governor of Pennsylvania, Samuel Whitaker Pennypacker. Therefore, this surname holds significant historical and cultural value.
Order DNA origin analysisPennypacker: Where does the name Pennypacker come from?
The Pennypacker surname is still found in many parts of the United States today, but is most often associated with Pennsylvania. It is likely that the surname originated in the German Palatinate, where it is a variation of the name "Pfefferkorn," and was brought to the United States primarily by German-speaking immigrants.
Pennypacker is a common name in the southeastern region of Pennsylvania, with a concentration around Lancaster County, Philadelphia County, and Berks County. Those bearing the name in this area often claim Pennsylvanian Dutch ancestry.
The name Pennypacker can be found in other parts of the United States today as well. There are several branches of the family scattered throughout the Midwest, as well as some presence in the South and on the West Coast.
Pennypacker is also found in the United Kingdom, where a Pennypacker family migrated from Pennsylvania in the early 1800s. While it is not as widespread in Great Britain as it is in the United States, the name can still be found in family listings from the country.
In summary, today the Pennypacker surname is most commonly found in southeastern Pennsylvania; however, branches of the family can also be found in other parts of the United States and United Kingdom. It's likely that many of those bearing the name today can trace their roots back to the German-speaking Palatinate.
Variations of the surname Pennypacker
The Pennypacker surname is an anglicized version of the German name “Pfannepacker”. It is also found as Pannebaker, Pannabaker, Pannebecker, Pennebacker, Pennenbacker, Pentpacker, Pannepacker, and Prenebacker.
This surname is derived from the German words for pan and baker. The pan is a shallow vessel, or container, used for baking, while the baker is a person whose profession is to bake bread and other edible items. The combination of the two words therefore signifies one who makes or works with dishes or containers made of metal, such as a pan.
This surname was likely used to denote the profession of making or trading kitchenware or other goods made of metal. It is also possible that Pennypacker may have been a surname given to itinerant metal workers or peddlers in Europe.
The Pennypacker name can be found in records from as early as the 16th century in Germany and Switzerland. It was introduced to the United States in the 1700s when immigrants from Germany began to arrive. Today, the Pennypacker name is found in various parts of the world, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
Various spellings of Pennypacker have been used over time as well. These spellings may include Pennimaker, Pennanpaker, Pennenbecker, Pennenpakker, and Pennebacker among others. These different spellings may have also been used to denote regional variants. Regardless of the spelling, all are descended from the same surname of German origin.
Famous people with the name Pennypacker
- Major General Franklin Packer Pennypacker: An officer in the United States Army during the Civil War.
- William Pennypacker: a Pennsylvania state legislator from Montgomery County.
- Samuel Whitaker Pennypacker (1843–1916): 25th Governor of Pennsylvania from 1903 to 1907.
- Ulysses Guinn Pennypacker (1894–1977): A Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district.
- Edward M. Pennypacker (1848–1899): An American railroad engineer and entrepreneur.
- General Cordalie Pennypacker: Commander of the New Jersey State Militia during the War of 1812.
- Diana Pennypacker: An American animated television writer and producer.
- Pennypacker Mills: an early Pennsylvania-based manufacturing firm established by the Pennypacker family in 1845.
- Harry Pennypacker: An American artist, known for painting landscapes and seascapes.
- Gerry Pennypacker: An American defender in the 1998 Major League Soccer season for the San Jose Clash.