Surname Pfenig - Meaning and Origin

Pfenig: What does the surname Pfenig mean?

The last name Pfenig is of German origin, and has been traced to the Upper Palatinate region of Bavaria. The meaning of the name is uncertain, but it is likely derived from the German word "Fenig", meaning "coin". It could also be a variation of "Pfennig", which is a German coin.

The earliest record of the surname Pfenig dates back to 1286, when a man with the first name "Fenec" and the surname "Pfenig" was mentioned in relation to a legal document in the Upper Palatinate region. That document was a tax register of the city of Regensburg, and it is believed that this man was one of the first citizens to be associated with the Pfenig name.

In the centuries since, the Pfenig name has spread throughout Germany and other European countries. Today, people with the Pfenig surname can be found throughout Europe, especially in Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, France, and Switzerland.

The Pfenig name began to become more widely known in the early twentieth century when emigrants from Germany bearing the name settled in countries throughout the world. Today, people with the Pfenig name can be found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries.

Pfenig: Where does the name Pfenig come from?

The last name Pfenig is most often found in Germany today, where it is fairly common. According to Forebears, the surname is most popular in the state Baden-Württemberg, where it is ranked at 1,882nd in terms of prevalence. It is followed by the state of Bavaria, where it is ranked at 5,409th and with the lowest prevalence in the state of Hesse residing at 11,883rd. Beyond Germany, it is also found in the US, with the highest concentration of the name appearing in the state of Maryland, and Switzerland.

The surname is thought to originate from the Germanic personal name Fagin, a diminutive of the Germanic name, Fago, a combination of the elements fag, meaning ‘to be strong’, and part of the suffix -in, diminutive. The addition of -in to any Germanic names was first seen around the 17th century and is a popular form of Germanic surnames. It is believed that the Pfenig family likely began in Germany and was spread further by migration.

In addition to the common Pfenig variant, other names found in contemporary Germany include Pfinig and Pfannig which are both rare. However, these are likely derived from Pfenig due to their immobility and the similar pronunciation.

Variations of the surname Pfenig

The surname Pfenig is of German origin and is an occupational name derived from the Middle High German word “pfenning.” As such, the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Pfeiffer, Pfeifer, Pfieffer, Pfiefer, Pfeiffner, Pfeiffen, Pfeifner, Pfaffen, Pfaffner, Pfannenberger, and Pfannengerger.

Pfeiffer and Pfeifer are probably the most common variants. They are formed from the same Middle High German root “pffenning” and mean “shoemaker” or “cobbler.” These names originated as an occupational name for a shoemaker or cobbler, much like the English name Smith.

Pfieffer is a less common variation of Pfeiffer. It was also derived from the Middle High German root, but was likely a nickname for someone who was “fainthearted” or “timid.”

Pfeiffen is a more modern variation of Pfeiffer that is mainly found in German-speaking countries. It is also derived from the Middle High German root and is still used as an occupational name for a cobbler or shoemaker.

Pfeiffner is another occupational name that originated from the Middle High German root, but was used to describe someone who made pins. This is due to the fact that pins were commonly made from coins in the Middle Ages.

Pfannenberger and Pfannengerger are variations of Pfenig that are also derived from the Middle High German root. These names originated as nicknames for someone who was “headstrong” or “bossy.”

Pfaffen and Pfaffner are derived from the Middle High German root as well and mean “priest.” This surname likely originated as a nickname for someone who was pious or religious.

Overall, the surname Pfenig has a wide variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Many of these are occupational names deriving from the Middle High German root, while others are nicknames that describe certain personality traits.

Famous people with the name Pfenig

• Uwe Pfenning: a German scientist and professor of mathematics at the University of Bonn.
• Reinhard Pfenig: a German photographer and filmmaker specializing in black-and-white imagery.
• Harald Pfenning: a West German footballer who played in the concentration camp team of Ebensee during WWII.
• Johann Jacob Pfenning: a German schoolteacher and minister of the Reformed Church who wrote several books about theology and Christian education.
• Jean Pierre Pfenning: a French entrepreneur and the founder of the successful fashion brand Les Tricots de Jean-Pierre.
• Arnold Pfenig: an Austrian composer, conductor, and organist who wrote works such as the opera Trommelberg.
• Laura Pfenning: a Swiss sprinter who participated in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
• Wolfgang Pfenning: a German sculptor and painter.
• Florian Pfenning: a German chemist and industrialist who founded Pfenning's chemical company, the largest privately owned chemical company in Germany.
• Ernst Christian Pfenning: a German entomologist who wrote the seminal work Conchylien Cabinet about molluscs.

Other surnames

Pfening