Surname Zehnpfenning - Meaning and Origin

Zehnpfenning: What does the surname Zehnpfenning mean?

The last name Zehnpfenning is an old German surname derived from the Middle High German term for a type of currency. In the Middle Ages, "zehnpfenning" (or ten pfennigs) was the equivalent of a tenth of a German Schilling. In Medieval Germany, Schillings were a form of currency, and in some places, coins worth ten pfennigs were also in use.

The literal meaning of the name Zehnpfenning, then, is "ten pfennigs," indicating that the original bearers of the name were either merchants or tradesmen who dealt in small coins such as pfennigs or were coin collectors. It is possible that the name was also taken by individuals as a nickname, denoting wealth or good fortune.

The name Zehnpfenning is still found today in Germany, as well as the United States and other parts of the world. It is a rare surname, though, as the name was brought to the U.S. by German immigrants in the 19th century who often anglicized the spelling to "Tenpenny" or "Timpenny."

Regardless of spelling, Zehnpfenning is a name with a fascinating heritage and a long history that is still treasured by its modern-day bearers.

Zehnpfenning: Where does the name Zehnpfenning come from?

The last name Zehnpfenning (pronounced Tzane-fen-ing) is today found primarily in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is considered a rare surname, so the exact distribution among countries is not well known. It is likely that families with this surname descended from an original ancestor who lived in one of these locations in the past.

The name Zehnpfenning is derived from the German word zehn, meaning "ten," and the German given name Pfeiffer. This suggests that the name was originally associated with a profession of coin making, such as a moneyer or minter. It is also possible that the name was a nickname given to someone for their experience with handling or carrying coins.

Given its German and Swiss origin, it is also likely that the surname Zehnpfenning has some variation in spelling. Alternate spellings may include Zebnphfenning, Zbhenpfenning, or Tehfenning. Possible variations may have different spellings depending on the region of origin.

It is speculated that the name Zehnpfenning is more common in southern Germany, as well as in regions of neighboring countries, such as Austria and Switzerland. However, without a formal study of the surname's distribution, it is difficult to know for certain.

Overall, the surname Zehnpfenning is a relatively rare one with an unknown distribution in today's world. It is likely to be found primarily in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, but may appear in other countries in varying spellings.

Variations of the surname Zehnpfenning

The surname Zehnpfenning is an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German term "zehnpfenning" which means "law clerk". The name is most common in Germany, where it is found in the form Zehnpfennig. Variants of the name include: Zahnpfenning, Zehnpfenig, Zahnpfennig, Zehnpfenig, Zehnpfenning, Zahnpfennig. Various spellings of the name have been found in records in Germany, including: Zepfenig, Zepfenyng, Zehpfnynge, Zehpenning, Zehpfennig, Zeihpfenig, Zeiphfennig, Seipfennig, Seifing, Zeifenning.

Surnames of the same origin are likely to include Zepfeln, Zehfelein, Zehfleck, Zehfling, Zehpfahl, Zepfenmaker, Zehfenner and Zehpfenner. These are all derived from the Middle High German word "zehnpfenning".

In some cases, the spelling of the surname may be confused with the surnames Zahnpfennig or Zepfenhoff. It is important to note that these are distinct names, as they originate from different Middle High German words. Zepfenhoff translates to “harp maker” and Zahnpfennig translates to “tooth penny”.

The surname Zehnpfenning is likely to have originally referred to someone who served as a law clerk. Over time, it is likely that various members of the family, both in Germany and elsewhere, adopted different versions of the surname based on regional or personal preferences.

Famous people with the name Zehnpfenning

• Donna Zehnpfenning: former Olympic swimmer who placed fourth in the 200-meter butterfly at the 1976 games in Montreal.
• Barbara Zehnpfenning: former German javelin thrower who represented her country at the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games.
• Hannah Zehnpfenning: current archer who was ranked the 72nd best archer in the world in 2018.
• John Zehnpfenning: retired American football player who played for the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1970s.
• David Zehnpfenning: former professional golfer who competed on the PGA Tour in the 1990s.
• Christine Zehnpfenning: active figure skater who competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics and won several international medals.
• William Zehnpfenning: American baseball player in the Major Leagues in the early 1900s.
• Joe Zehnpfenning: retired French-American basketball player who spent several years in the NBA before retiring in 2001.
• Sophie Zehnpfenning: Former professional tennis player and winner of three ATP titles in the 1990s.
• Ryan Zehnpfenning: British-born Paralympian who competed in the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Other surnames

Zehnpfennig