Surname Quessenberry - Meaning and Origin
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Quessenberry: What does the surname Quessenberry mean?
Quessenberry is a surname of German origin, stemming from the personal name "Kuessner," which is derived from "kuss," meaning “kiss.” Over time, spelling variations, such as Kessner, Kesner, and Kuesner evolved, and one of these variations likely became Quessenberry after German-speaking immigrants moved to English-speaking countries. Like many European surnames, it was likely originally a occupational or descriptive nickname. However, the specific meaning of Quessenberry has been lost to history, and it no longer has a readily identifiable meaning in modern German or English. It is important to note that surnames' meanings can vary significantly based on regional dialects and language shifts over time. The individuals bearing the surname Quessenberry are mainly found in the United States today.
Order DNA origin analysisQuessenberry: Where does the name Quessenberry come from?
The last name Quessenberry is not very common today. It is most prevalent in the United States, where the first Quessenberry family immigrated in the early 19th century. Other significant populations can be found in Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.
In the United States, the highest concentration of Quessenberrys is found in Virginia, followed by Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia. Today, Quessenberry families are largely concentrated in these states, though there are smaller populations in Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico.
The name Quessenberry is believed to have derived from the Old English phrase "cweosan," which means "to reach a hill or rise." The phrase was used to refer to those who lived on the top of a hill or in an elevated area, and the last name was adopted by early pioneers who lived on those lands.
As of 2020, the estimated population of Quessenberrys in the United States is around 4,300. As the name is quite uncommon, it is likely that many of these individuals are related in some way, even if it is only distantly.
Variations of the surname Quessenberry
The surname Quessenberry is believed to be of Anglo-German origin. Variants of the name include Quesenberry, Quesinberry, Quisinberry, Quesingberry, Quessenbury, Quesenbury, Quesinbury, Quisinbury, Quesingbury, Quessenbery, Quesenbery, Quesinbery, Quisinbery, and Quesingbery.
The name Quessenberry is derived from the Low-Saxon phrase "quessen berry" which means "cattle berry," or the fruit of a berry plant often eaten by cattle. This indicated the family originated from a rural farming background and in some instances, it may be derived from the place name Quessen in Germany which has been anglicized to Quesenberry.
The Quessenberry surname most likely originated in the British Isles where it is found primarily in Ireland, England and Scotland. In the United States, it is most frequently found in Texas and other Midwestern states. The variations of the surname indicate that it may have been adaptable to many regions that the family have moved to.
The Quessenberry name is currently still used throughout the world and many families may continue to use one of its variants as part of their own family name. This common origin has allowed many members of the Quessenberry family to trace their own line of ancestry while also being able to stay connected with many other members of the family.
Famous people with the name Quessenberry
- David Quessenberry: Former NFL offensive lineman who was drafted by the Houston Texans in 2013. He retired in 2020 due to complications from cancer.
- Tyler Quessenberry: Son of David Quessenberry. He was a member of the 2019 Senior Bowl Team.
- John Quessenberry: Aviation commander in the United States Air Force. He is best known for being the lead pilot in numerous aviation missions in both Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
- Dr. Curt Quessenberry: Professor emeritus of Biochemistry at the University of North Carolina. He was known as the Father of Surface Plasmon Resonance in the field of molecular biophysics.
- William Quessenberry: Texas state senator in the 1920s and 1930s.
- Blair Quessenberry: Conductor of numerous wind bands and orchestras including The OMG Band and The Burgess Hill Wind Orchestra.
- Daniel Quessenberry: Filmmaker and founder of the independent film production company Bold New Pictures. He is best known for his films Bonefishing and Shivers of Joy.
- Travis Quessenberry: Great-grandson of William Quessenberry. He is a youth pastor and founder of Fortified Faith Ministries.
- Nena Quessenberry: Pilot and aerobatic display pilot. She is the only female pilot to win the Aerobatic Box National Championship.
- Emily Quessenberry: Medical doctor and president of the Houston chapter of the American College of Surgeons.