Surname Pfitzinger - Meaning and Origin
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Pfitzinger: What does the surname Pfitzinger mean?
The last name Pfitzinger has a Germanic origin. It is derived from a geographical term and translates to “person who lived at the place of the mint”. This suggests the family may have originally resided near an area where coins were produced, or where some kind of currency exchange took place.
Throughout the centuries, the family likely stayed in the area and others with the same surname settled there. These individuals may have come from other parts of Germany or other Germanic countries. Over time, the prominent and influential people within the Pfitzinger family likely added to the regions economy, culture, and society.
Today, thousands of people across the world proudly bear this last name. Depending on where they live, they may be involved in a variety of industries, from fishing to farming to hospitality and beyond. Despite the many variations on the origin of this Germanic surname, all who are named Pfitzinger share a connection to the individuals who first left their mark on German soil hundreds of years ago.
Order DNA origin analysisPfitzinger: Where does the name Pfitzinger come from?
Today, the last name Pfitzinger is most commonly found in the United States. Ancestry.com reports that most Pfitzingers are located across Pennsylvania, Iowa, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.
However, the Pfitzinger family is said to have originated in Germany, and many people with the last name Pfitzinger remain in the country to this day. A 2016 survey by the Institute for German Language estimates that around 1,500 people in Germany own the last name Pfitzinger. This number is steadily decreasing, as migration — both historically and present day — has helped spread the Pfitzinger family into many other countries.
The Pfitzinger family is also found in countries across Europe, including Austria and the Czech Republic. Furthermore, Pfitzingers can also be found in the United States, Brazil, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In the United States, many successful Pfitzingers have emerged in the worlds of business, athletics, and the arts. For example, Eugene Pfitzinger was a prominent politician in Indiana during the 19th century, and Emmy-nominated screenwriter and producer Frank Pfitzinger worked on numerous television shows in the late 20th and early 21st century. In athletics, Olympic track and field coach and running author Pete Pfitzinger has coached numerous Olympians over the last several decades.
Overall, though the Pfitzinger name may not have as many prominent members as some other surnames, its history remains rich and its presence is still noticeable across the world today.
Variations of the surname Pfitzinger
The Pfitzinger surname has been recorded in multiple spellings and variants since the medieval period. It is originally derived from Germanic words indicating a person of humble origins or one who had come from a fishing village. In Germany, the surname is most often spelled as Pfitzinger, although it can also be found as Pfitzeener, Pfitzeener, Pfitzeineer, Pfitzeinin, Pfaitzinger, Pfeitzinger, and Pfötzinger. In Dutch, the name has been reported as Bitezinger, Pfeitzinger, Pfeitzinger, Pfeitsieg, Pieitzinger, and Pietzinger, while in Switzerland, the variants are Pfitsinger and Fitizegger.
In addition to the many surnames of German, Dutch and Swiss origin, the Pfitzinger surname can also be found in the United States among descendants of German and Swiss immigrants. In America, variations of this surname include Pence, Fitzsineer, Pfeitzenberger, Pencein, Pincsin, and Pincsen.
In England, the surname is mostly found as Pence, Pense, and Fence, while in Scotland the name appears as Fience. The variants Pautzenen or Pautzener have been found in Scandinavia as well.
Overall, the Pfitzinger surname is found in many different forms today, owing to its long history and range of geographic origins. With such a wide variety of possible spellings and variants, proof of ancestry can be difficult to establish. The original form of the Pfitzinger surname is often the best indicator of its true origin.
Famous people with the name Pfitzinger
- Robert Pfitzinger: Robert Pfitzinger is a German-born film and television producer living in Los Angeles. He has worked in the TV industry for a number of production companies such as ABC and FX.
- Jenna Pfitzinger: Jenna Pfitzinger is a businessperson and entrepreneur. She is the founder and CEO of Intelligent Impact Group, a company specializing in communication and organizational effectiveness.
- Frank Pfitzinger: Frank Pfitzinger was a German racing driver in the 1950s and 1960s. He went on to take part in numerous European-level competitions throughout his career, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1957.
- Sabine Pfitzinger: Sabine Pfitzinger is a German actress, best known for her roles in shows such as The Black Room (1985-1989), The Nazi Officer's Wife (2003-2004), and Monk (2009-2010).
- Wolfgang Pfitzinger: Wolfgang Pfitzinger is a German curler and former World Team Champion. He is a three-time Olympian from Germany, having participated in the 1992, 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics.
- Sandra Pfitzinger: Sandra Pfitzinger is a German judoka who won medals in the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics in the under 63kg category. She is currently the coach of the German judo team.
- Max Pfitzinger: Max Pfitzinger was a Swiss actor and screenwriter active in the 1940s and 1950s. He is best known for his roles in films such as 120 Hours in the City (1943), The Call of the Forest (1947), and The Poor Millionaire (1947).
- Eva Pfitzinger: Eva Pfitzinger is an Austrian biologist and professor at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna. She has published numerous articles and books concerning the biodiversity of the Austrian Alps and European mountain ranges.