Surname Pennert - Meaning and Origin
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Pennert: What does the surname Pennert mean?
The last name Pennert is of Dutch origin, derived from the given name Pennert, which is a diminutive form of the name Bernard. It originated in the 13th century as a nickname for a strong or brave man. The name is derived from the Middle Dutch words “beren,” meaning “bear,” and “hard,” which translates to “strong.” It is possible that the name was also used as an occupational name, as many people at the time were required to work with bears in some capacity.
Today, Pennert is a fairly rare surname and is not generally found in public records. However, it is still in use within some Dutch-speaking areas. Those who do carry the Pennert name may have other Dutch surnames as well, as Dutch is a common language in many parts of Europe.
Pennert is a unique last name in that it has distinctive Nordic origins. It can be a wonderful way to connect with one’s cultural heritage and provides insight into one’s familial roots. Those with the Pennert name can take pride in their heritage and share stories about their last name to inspire generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisPennert: Where does the name Pennert come from?
The last name Pennert is most commonly found in Germany, though it is also located in other countries across Europe. It is especially prevalent in the western German states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria, where the highest density of people with the Pennert surname is located. This last name is also found in other parts of Europe, including Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Austria, and the Netherlands. In the United States, there are people with the Pennert last name living in California, Michigan, Virginia, Alabama, Florida, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, New York, Arizona, and other states.
Though the origin of the Pennert name is unclear, researchers speculate that it is derived from the Latin roots penna, meaning “feather” or “wing,” and tertius, meaning “third.” As a result, the surname is assumed to have meant “third feather” or “third wing,” possibly referring to the coat of arms of a medieval family. It is also suggested that the surname could have derived from a Roman family name, Pennius, which was related to the Latin word for “eyes” (pupillus).
Today, the Pennert name is an infrequent one, but it still continues to exist across Germany and, to a lesser extent, other countries in Europe and the United States. According to a 2014 survey by the Central Institute of Genealogy, Pennert was the 6,106th most common surname in Germany that year, and its frequency has not changed significantly since then.
Variations of the surname Pennert
The surname Pennert is an ancient German name that originated in the Middle Ages. It is generally spelled as Pennert, although other variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin also exist. The most common variants and spellings of this surname include Pennerd, Pennerdt, Pennerth, Pennertz, and Pennertz. Additionally, surnames that may have derived from the same origin include Pentz, Pintard, Pintardt, Pinder, and Pinderd. The Pennert surname is most commonly associated with the regions of Prussia, Germany, and Austria, but can be found in various other countries.
Pennert is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. A receptional surname, Pennert used by those who resided near a notable figure or landowner. This type of surname was usually adopted by the servile population who lived and worked on the land owned by the notable figure.
The Pennert surname has also been adopted by those of non-German origins, such as South Asian migrants from countries like India who nearly a thousand years ago formed part of the merchant class travelling through central Europe. The adoption of surnames in this manner is still common in parts of the world today.
The surname Pennert is still in use today and there are many who trace their ancestry to this old German name. Many varieties and spellings of this surname are also in use in different countries around the world, some of which are derived from the original German spelling while others have evolved over time. It is likely that one will continue to come across variations of this name for generations to come.
Famous people with the name Pennert
- Zvi Pennert: Israeli military man and lawyer who established the Israeli Air Force Technical School and served as head of Air Force intelligence.
- Edwin Pennert: German politician who was a member of the Nazi Party and served as the Governor of Danzig from 1934 to 1939.
- Jon Pennert: American record producer, audio engineer, and multi-instrumentalist.
- Johann Christian Pennert: German theologian and philosopher.
- Galia Pennert: Israeli national squash champion and champion of the 11th Maccabiah Games in 1950.
- Melinda Pennert: American actress, best known for her roles in The Champions and House of Cards.
- Keven Pennert: American basketball player who played for the University of Missouri Tigers.
- Chris Pennert: American entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist who has founded numerous technology companies, including Salesforce and Oracle.
- Alex Pennert: British-American actor who has appeared in films such as Hotel Transylvania, Seven Psychopaths, and Belle.
- Grant Pennert: American radio personality and stand-up comedian who is the creator and host of the podcast “The Grant Pennert Show.”