Surname Döhner - Meaning and Origin
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Döhner: What does the surname Döhner mean?
The surname Döhner is of German origin. The name is a variant of Dohner, and its literal translation is “dweller” or “inhabitant.” It is thought to have originally been used to describe someone who lived near or in a village or area. This name might have been a toponomic name, which references geographic features in a place’s landscape, such as someone living near a hill, lake, or mountain.
Döhner is a common surname in German-speaking areas today, though its prevalence across regions and throughout history has varied. At the end of the 19th century, this surname was mainly found in the northern regions of Germany, particularly in East and North East Germany and especially in the regions of Sachsen and Berlin. In the latter half of the 20th century, however, it became much more widespread.
The Döhner family crest typically shows a double-eagle, which is a popular racial symbol among Germans. It is a symbol signifying strength, vigilance, and free spirit, and it is fitting for a family that is known to have a long and proud history in the Germanic-speaking world.
Though the literal translation of Döhner is “dweller” or “inhabitant,” this surname has come to represent something much deeper. To many, it stands for the strong traditions and values that have been passed down from generation to generation within German-speaking families for centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisDöhner: Where does the name Döhner come from?
The last name Döhner is most common among German speaking countries, particularly Germany. According to statistics, there are currently 11,522 people in Germany with the surname and a combined total of 15,911 individuals with the name internationally.
The surname is most commonly found in German states such as Bavaria (5,338), Lower Saxony (683), Baden-Württemberg (422), North Rhine-Westphalia (337), and Hesse (LR6,061). It is also found in some other countries in Europe such as Austria, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Sweden, as well as in the United States.
Outside of Germany, the last name Döhner is most commonly found in the United States, as there are 1,621 people with that name living there. According to linguistic experts, the surname is derived from the Old High German word "tauhhan" or "touhan" which means "to toil" or "to labor."
Given that the last name Döhner is most common in German speaking countries and the US, it is likely the descendents of German immigrants, who brought their surnames with them to the new country. As such, the last name is a testament to both cultural heritage and ambition, as those who bore the surname worked hard to provide for their families both in Germany and in the US.
Variations of the surname Döhner
The surname Döhner has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
Variants include Doehner, Doener, Doenerr, Dohein, Dohner, Doiner, Doener, Doenne, Doehner, Doehern, to name a few.
Variants in other languages include Döhner (German), Doehrnhöffer (Swiss-German), Döhn (Austrian), Duenhör (Swedish), and Döhnen (Dutch).
The spelling of the surname has also varied over time. It was first recorded as “Dönher” (1350), then “Döhnher” (1348), “Döhnhörstaja” (1484), “Döhner” (1690), and “Dohner” (1777).
Variants of surnames of the same origin include: Dohrn, Doerner, Dohrnhöffer, Doerr, Dörr, and Doehring.
The surname has also been profiled by various spellings and surnames in different areas. In the Bavaria area it is spelled as “Döhner”, and the spelling rules are less used in the rest of Germany. In the eastern parts of Germany, the spelling is usually “Döner”, while in the western parts, the spelling is usually “Döhner”. In Switzerland, it is mostly “Dühner” and in Austria it is “Dohn” or sometimes “Doehr”. In Scandinavia it is mostly “Duenhör”, while in other parts of Europe it is mainly “Döhner”.
Famous people with the name Döhner
- Hermann Döhner (1869-1925): He was a German botanist and botanical collector who worked in Sweden,w Norway, and the United States.
- Peter Döhner (1868-1932): He was a German zoologist, entomologist, and professor at the University of Berlin.
- Johann Döhner (1648-1699): He was a German preacher and horticulturist who wrote a number of books about gardening.
- August Döhner (1821-1897): He was a German abolitionist and publicist who fought for the end of slavery in Germany.
- Eberhard Döhner (1929-2020): He was a German pediatrician and geneticist who published a number of articles and books on hematology and genetics.
- Paul Döhner (1844-1914): He was a German philosopher and professor at the University of Berlin.
- Wilhelm Döhner (1862-1930): He was a German geographer and explorer who conducted several scientific expeditions in Eastern Europe.
- Florian Döhner (1968-): He is a German-Chinese journalist and writer who has written several books about Chinese culture and society.
- Caroline Döhner (1985-): She is a German actress who has appeared in television shows and films.
- Anna Döhner (1856-1934): She was a German doctor and suffragist who worked as a doctor in Berlin during the later 19th century.