Surname Pfnorr - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Pfnorr: What does the surname Pfnorr mean?
The last name Pfnorr is an occupational name of Germanic origin. The name derives from the Middle High German ‘Pfnur’ which is derived from the Old French ‘Pfnour’ meaning ‘pincer’ or ‘one who works with a pincer’. This likely indicates that the original bearer of the name was someone who was employed as a blacksmith or tin-worker and that their primary tool was a pincer.
The name may also be derived from the German word ‘Pfann’ meaning ‘pan’ or ‘skillet', indicating that the original bearer was a cook or baker who used metal pans and pots in their work. The name can also be linked to the Old Germanic word ‘pfenning’ meaning ‘penny’ and indicating that the original bearer was a coin maker.
The surname Pfnorr first appeared in Germany during the early Middle Ages and became established in the region of Franconia shortly afterwards. The name is still quite common in Germany today and is also found in other European countries such as the Netherlands, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also quite common in the USA, where it is most commonly found in the Midwest region.
Order DNA origin analysisPfnorr: Where does the name Pfnorr come from?
The last name Pfnorr is a very uncommon surname that was found mostly among the German populace spanning from the 9th century to the mid-20th century. Today, the name remains rare and is mostly found in a few parts of the world. In Germany, Pfnorr is most prevalent in Bavaria, specifically in Upper Palatinate and along Rhine River.
The name is still heard regularly in the locations it originates from and is another spelling for the more common name Pfenning. Its unique variant of being split into two syllables is the result of the German language’s tendency to often elongate words and their pronunciations, exemplifying the potential of German for creativity in word construction.
Outside of Germany, Pfnorr is present, though uncommon, in Switzerland, Russia, Canada, the US, and other western European countries. The pockets of Pfnorr’s spread over the world are usually condensed in areas populated by German immigrants a few centuries ago, such as rural parts of Pennsylvania in the US or the Ukrainian city of Konstantinovka.
Given its relative rarity, it is possible to deduce that the Pfnorr is a very uncommon surname and does not have a widespread presence in today’s world. It can be found in some parts of Germany, Switzerland, Canada, the US, Russia, and other western European countries, however.
Variations of the surname Pfnorr
Pfnorr is a surname of German origin, but variants of the name can be found in other European countries as well. In German, the spelling of Pfnorr is most prevalent, but other spellings have also been recorded. The variants of Pfnorr include Pfnur, Pfuner, Phuener, Pfunnr, Pfoener and Pfener. All of these variations all stem from the same Latin root, the name Pfaner, which refers to a fencer or swordsman.
The surname Pfnorr can also take on various other surnames with similar meanings: Pfannschmidt (pot-smith), Pfeiffer (accordion-player), Pflug (plowman), plumber and Pfieffer (choir director). Other family members may further alter the spelling or pronunciation of the name, for example a Pfnorr may become Pfeiffer when immigrating to America.
In some cases, Pfnorr has also been shortened to Prrr or seen merged with other names to create a unique surname. For instance, Pfnör-Schultz combines the surnames Pfnorr and Schultz, the latter of which is a common German surname deriving from the word ‘servant’.
Pfnorr is a relatively uncommon surname, making it difficult to track the origin of any particular family line. Nevertheless, as the name becomes more popular internationally, more variants are expected to emerge.
Famous people with the name Pfnorr
- Nick Pfnorr, American LGBT activist and author
- Daniel Pfnorr, Austrian painter
- Christian Pfnorr, German voice actor
- Achim Pfnorr, German film director
- Isabella Pfnorr, German ice dancer
- Dean Pfnorr, American professional volleyball player
- Torsten Pfnorr, German actor
- Max Pfnorr, German photographer
- Jeannie Pfnorr, American musician
- Anette Pfnorr, German photographer