Surname Pfennigs - Meaning and Origin
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Pfennigs: What does the surname Pfennigs mean?
Pfennigs is of German origin, and the meaning of the surname is derived from the German word "Pfenning," which refers to a monetary denomination. The Pfennig is associated with a German monetary unit which was most commonly made up of silver or copper, and was widely used across Europe from the late middle ages until the early 1990s. The surname was likely adopted by someone of either monetary or economic importance in the 12th century.
In ancient German society, many of those who adopted the Pfennigs surname likely worked in the financial sector, or had some sort of powerful or influential authority. The Pfennigs surname could be noticeably seen among prominent members of the banking industry, as well as those who were in charge of minting and reinforcing currency during the middle ages.
Today, the Pfennigs surname remains relatively common and is still associated with someone of economic or financial importance. Additionally, those who bear the surname are likely to find a number of relatives who also have the surname, as the name has spread far beyond its original home in Germany. As of 2019, the surname Pfennigs is ranked among the most frequently used surnames in Europe, with an estimated 13,000 people bearing the name.
Order DNA origin analysisPfennigs: Where does the name Pfennigs come from?
The last name Pfennigs is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today. It is a German surname that is thought to have originated from the medieval word “Pfenning,” which referred to a German currency. The Pfennigs were a prominent family in the 18th century in Europe, particularly in the areas of Germany and Austria. During this time, the Pfennigs held significant offices in the military, politics and service in their respective countries. Records show wealthy Pfennigs owned large manor houses, castles and feudal lands during this time.
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the Pfennigs family emigrated to countries around the globe, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. During this time, the name Pfennigs was changed to Finnig, Finnegen, Fennig, Fennis, Pfingsten, Finesch and Penning. This is due to various reasons such as language barriers, spelling errors and other cultural influences.
Although people with the last name Pfennigs are spread out all over the world, those who live in Germany and Austria today are much more likely to encounter people with the same surname than those in other countries. This is due to their family roots in those countries as well as the fact that the name has stayed more prominent and common in those regions.
Variations of the surname Pfennigs
The surname Pfennigs is a German word that has its roots in the Middle High German word "pfenec," meaning penny coin. It is believed to have originated in the 14th century and the spelling of the name has changed over time. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin are as follows:
Pfenning: This is the most commonly seen variant of the Pfennigs surname. This particular spelling is used throughout Germany and is also found in some parts of the United States.
Pfennicker: This spelling of the surname is mainly found in regions of Europe such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Pennig: This variant is mainly used in the United States.
Penninger: This is more commonly used in Austria.
Penikker: This variant is mainly used in Germany.
Pfaenning: This spelling is used mainly in Bavarian Germany.
Pfanninger: This variant is more commonly used in Austria.
Pfaffenberger: This is mainly found in Germany.
Pfeifenberger: This variant of the surname is mainly used in Austria.
Pfingsten: This surname is mainly found in Germany.
Pfingst: This spelling is mainly seen in Germany and Switzerland.
Fenninger: This is the variant that is mainly found in Austria.
All of these variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin are derived from the word "pfenec," a word of German origin meaning penny coin. All of them can be found with frequency in some form or another throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and even parts of the United States.
Famous people with the name Pfennigs
- Kevin Pfennigs: a football coach in Germany
- John Pfenning: a former CEO of Penn National Gaming
- Steve Pfenning: an award-winning television and film writer
- Thomas Pfenning: a German professional hockey player
- Ryan Pfenning: an American business executive
- Robert Pfenning: a former professional tennis player
- Reinhart Pfennigs: a German TV presenter and radio speaker
- Sibylle Pfenning: a German botanist
- Jörn Pfenning: a German eco-entrepreneur
- Eric Pfenning: an American Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist