Surname Donner - Meaning and Origin
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iGENEA DNA Test: A Personal Journey Towards Understanding the Donner Heritage
Once I received my iGENEA DNA test results, the foundations of my understanding of personal identity began to shake, resulting in a large-scale shift in self-perception. Suddenly, the name Donner, which I had always known, was more than just a familial marker; it was a strand in the DNA helix of my ancestry.
C. Donner
read moreDonner: What does the surname Donner mean?
The surname Donner (sometimes spelled Doener or Doener) is an old German name. It is derived from "dunar," an Old High German word meaning "thunder."
The surname is particularly associated with the Germanic tribes of the pre-Christian era who created an early form of written Old High German language. The ancient Germanic tribes believed the thunder to be the mightiest of all natural forces, and so the name Donner was given to those brave enough to sacrifice their lives in battle.
In modern times, the surname Donner is most commonly associated with descendants of the powerful and influential merchants and nobles of the early Middle Ages. The name is also found in the Netherlands, where it is sometimes spelled Doenar.
During the colonial era, the name Donner was spread to the British Isles, particularly to the English-speaking countries of Scotland, Ireland and England. Over time, the surname has also spread to other English-speaking countries, such as the United States and Canada.
Today, the surname Donner is found in many variations, including Doner, Donar, Doenar, Doener, Doneer, Dooner and Donor. Although the surname has many variations, the underlying meaning of thunder remains. Those who have been given the surname carry with them a proud association with power and courage passed down from their ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisDonner: Where does the name Donner come from?
The last name Donner is quite common throughout Europe and the United States today. It is of German origin, and is believed to come from the Middle High German word "donar" which means thunder or thunder god. According to the US Census Bureau, the last name Donner ranks as the 613th most common surname in the United States.
In Germany, Donner is the 92nd most popular surname. It is especially very popular in Bavaria, where it is the 31st most common surname. In Austria, it is the 143rd most common. It is also very common in Northern Ireland. The Netherlands also have a significant population bearing this surname, where it is ranked as the 117th most popular surname.
In Italy, Donner is quite uncommon, standing at 326th in the list of Massimo Changelli's popular surnames. In Switzerland, it ranks as the 76th most common surname.
Donner is also among the most common surnames in Trinidad and Tobago, where it is the 81st most popular surname. It is also quite popular in Quebec, where it is the 685th most popular surname.
It is also widespread in Luxembourg, France, Norway, Belarus and Denmark. In Belgium, it is the 172nd most popular surname.
Overall, the last name Donner is quite common in Europe and the United States today. It is also notably popular in Trinidad and Tobago, Quebec, Luxembourg, France, Norway, Belarus and Denmark.
Variations of the surname Donner
The surname Donner is derived from the German word “donner”, meaning thunder. This surname is thought to have initially been derived from an old Germanic given name, which was formed from elements of the god’s name Thor, who was known in mythology as the god of thunder.
Common variant spellings of the surname Donner include Dohner, Donder, Donar, Doner, Donnerau, Donnermann and Duner. Other surnames from the same origin include Thon, Thonar and Thoner.
The surname Donner is a very old Germanic surname and is quite common, particularly in areas with a German-speaking population. It is particularly common in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In the United States, the Donner surname is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, New York and California.
In non-German-speaking countries, the spelling of the Donner surname is often Anglicized. There are many different versions of the name, including Donner, Donovan, Donohue, Donahue, Donahoe, Donalo and Donol.
As the surname is a very old Germanic surname, many different versions have arisen over the centuries as names have been recorded in various languages. Some of these versions are no longer in use, but can still be found in historical records.
Famous people with the name Donner
- Dick Donner: An American film director and producer.
- Genevieve Donner: An American film actress.
- Maria Donner: An Austrian actress, best known for her role in the film False Encounters.
- Rebecca Donner: An American screenwriter, director and producer.
- Richard Donner: An American film director.
- Snowy Donner: An American musician, writer and entrepreneur.
- Jonathan Donner: An American software engineer, best known for his work in user-centered design and usability engineering.
- Chris Donner: An American video editor, director and producer.
- David Donner: An American actor, composer and producer.
- Ralf Donner: An American actor best known for his roles in films such as The Andromeda Strain, Jaws 3-D and D.A.R.Y.L.