Surname Pfenning - Meaning and Origin
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Pfenning: What does the surname Pfenning mean?
The last name Pfenning is derived from the Middle High German word "Pfennig," meaning penny. It originally referred to someone who worked as a vendor or farmer who was responsible for collecting and accounting for the pennies or small coins of a feudal estate. These small coins were also referred to as pfenning and the act of collecting them was referred to as Pfennigfuchsen.
Pfenning is a German and Austrian surname and is largely found in areas corresponding with those origins, such as Northern Germany, Austria, and the Alsace region of France. Although it is found in other locales, this is due to migration, typically in the 19th and 20th centuries. It remains a relatively uncommon surname in most of the English-speaking world.
The origins, then, of the surname Pfenning provide an insight into the origins of its original bearer. It is likely that they were someone who was employed to the task of collecting and filing away small coins associated with a feudal estate. As such, it provides a historical record of a peasant profession that has since been rendered obsolete by the development of new economic systems.
Order DNA origin analysisPfenning: Where does the name Pfenning come from?
The last name Pfenning is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word “Pfinge”, meaning “apex”. It is primarily found in Germany and Austria, and has spread across Europe, including Switzerland, France, and the United Kingdom.
Today, Pfenning is most commonly found in Germany, with many individuals of the Pfenning surname living in the states of Bavaria, Rhineland-Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Hesse. It is also fairly common in Austria, particularly in the states of Salzburg, Vorarlberg, and Lower Austria.
The Pfenning surname can also be found in the United States, where the first Pfenning immigrants arrived from Germany in the early 19th century. Many individuals of the Pfenning surname live in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and New York -- states that saw a large influx of German immigrants during the 1800s. Elsewhere in the Americas, Pfenning is occasionally found in countries such as Brazil, Argentina, and Canada.
In total, the last name Pfenning is estimated to be most commonly found in Germany and Austria, though due to migration in Europe and across the Americas roughly 3,000 individuals of the Pfenning surname may be found around the world today.
Variations of the surname Pfenning
The surname Pfenning is a German surname that means "penny" and is derived from an old German word. It is most often spelled as Pfenning, but there are other variants and spellings of the same origin.
Variants of this surname include Fening, Fehning, Fenninger, Penning, Peening, Penninge, and Phening. In some cases, Pfenning may be shortened to Fen, Fenn, or Fenns. In other languages, the surname may become Fenig, Finig, Pennig, or Pinig.
Some of the surnames derived from Pfenning include Fehning, Fehnings, Fehni, Fehninger, Pfenninger, Ferring, and Fenig.
Despite the variations in spelling, the meaning of the surname remains the same— "penny" or "pennies". The variant spellings are most likely the result of mistakes or variations in pronunciation over time.
As such, the various spellings and surnames can all be traced back to one common root—the surname Pfenning. It can also be assumed that all variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin share a common origin—namely, Germany.
Famous people with the name Pfenning
- Jill Pfenning: Actor (known for roles in Parenthood, Mistresses, and Grey's Anatomy).
- Bill Pfenning: American actor, director, playwright, producer, and theater educator.
- Raymond Pfenning: American Chess Grandmaster.
- Logan Pfenning: YouTube Star, content creator, and actor, known for his channel which has earned over 500,000 subscribers.
- Richard Pfenning: Actor who has appeared in numerous films, television shows, and plays.
- Rob Pfenning: Musician and artist, known for his albums and singles, "Run Away Soul" and "Journey to Find Myself".
- Greg Pfenning: Former tennis player who has won numerous junior tennis tournaments.
- Dan Pfenning: Former professional basketball player who played for the Los Angeles Lakers.
- Emery Pfenning: Emmy-winning producer and sound engineer who has worked on shows like The Walking Dead and The Dark Knight.
- Nathan Pfenning: Professional motocross racer and three-time X Games gold medalist.