Surname Kusnier - Meaning and Origin
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Kusnier: What does the surname Kusnier mean?
The last name Kusnier is likely of Polish origin, derived from the Polish word kusznik which means "sharpshooter". The suffix -ier is a French suffix that is added to last names to denote a patronymic, indicating the family has ancestral ties to the profession signified by the root word. It is also possible there was an immigrant by the name of Kusznik who, upon arriving in a country that spoke French or Latin, replaced the Polish root with the French -ier suffix to make the name Kusnier.
Kusnier was most likely an occupational surname for an individual who was a professional sharpshooter, and usage of the name would most likely come from a family that followed a trade in hunting, military service, or entertainment. Historically, Polish sharpshooters were some of the best in the world and Kusnier could also refer to "huntsmen or bowmen in service to the nobility". As such, it carries some pride of a long-held family occupation of skills and experience.
More recently, Kusnier is not as commonly used a name as it once was, but it is still in existence, carrying the strong sense of skill and pride the name has held for hundreds of years.
Order DNA origin analysisKusnier: Where does the name Kusnier come from?
The last name Kusnier is most common in Poland today. It is a relatively uncommon Polish surname, with an estimated 8,168 people worldwide bearing the last name. The Kusnier surname is most frequent in eastern Poland, where it is the 109th most common last name. It is also popular in Podkarpackie Voivodeship, which is the southern region of Poland. The Kusnier surname is of uncertain origin, although it is suspected that it derived from the Slavic word kus, meaning a 'nose' or 'beak.' In some cases, it may have been derived from a nickname used to describe a person who had a long, pointed nose. Alternatively, it may have been derived from the Germanic-Slavic word koszyk, meaning 'basket maker.'
The Kusnier surname is also found in other countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States. In the UK, the last name Kusnier is most frequent in the West Midlands area. In Australia, the surname is most popular in New South Wales, where it is the 637th most common surname. In the United States, the last name Kusnier is most common in California, where it is the 5,254th most common last name.
It is possible that the Kusnier surname originated in other countries, as well, and spread to Poland from the outside. More research would be needed to confirm this. Regardless of where it originated, this surname is present today in multiple countries across the globe.
Variations of the surname Kusnier
Kusnier is a surname of German origin which has variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The name Kusnier is a shortened form of "Kusnier-feder," or "Kusnier-schmied." The variant Kusner is also occasionally used and is derived from the German name meaning "one who shapes metal or coins."
The various spellings of this surname include Kusnier, Kussner, Kuesner, Kuesnier, Küsnier, Küsner, Kiesner and Kiesnier, as well as other German variations.
Some other surnames that are related to Kusnier include Kuscher, Kuchler, Kuchar, Kusher, Kušer, Kusy, Kusser, Kuss, Kueschler, and Kuchman.
The use of Kusnier has spread through Central and East Europe. Kusnier is common in Poland, Austria, Germany, and Czech Republic, and is more recently found in the United States, Canada, Mexico and other countries. It is also found in many other parts of Europe, as well as in Latin America.
In some cases, variants of this surname are spelled differently, showing the influence of the language of the country in which the family found itself. For example, those who migrated to Italy often adapted the spelling of the family name to read Cussneri or Cusneri. Similarly, those who settled in Russia adjusted the spelling to Kusnirov. In other instances, people may have changed the spelling of their last names due to immigration to a new country and the need to blend in.
Given its German origins, Kusnier is likely to remain a popular surname for many generations to come.
Famous people with the name Kusnier
- Thomas Kusnier: Actor, producer, and director from Poland.
- Wojtek Kusnier: Polish soccer player, currently playing for the A-League team Melbourne Victory.
- Izabela Kusnier: Brazilian model and actress.
- Anna Kusnier: Polish singer and songwriter.
- Carina Kusnier: Austrian pianist and composer.
- Augusta Kusnier: Czech-American architect and interior designer.
- Simon Kusnier: German musician and producer, known for his work with German rock band "The Scorpions".
- Karel Kusnier: Czech sculptor and medal maker.
- Temi Kusnier: Nigerian-born American poster designer, illustrator, and television commercial director.
- Zac Kusnier: British DJ and producer.