Surname Werhner - Meaning and Origin
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Werhner: What does the surname Werhner mean?
The last name Werhner does not have a specific known meaning as it is relatively rare and possibly a variant of several different Germanic or Slavic surnames. However, it may have derived from the German name Werner, which originates from an old Germanic personal name, Warinheri. In this context, "Warin" refers to guard or protect, and "heri" means army or warrior. Consequently, the name Werner can be interpreted as 'Defending Warrior.' Werhner could potentially carry a similar meaning. Exact determinations can be challenging due to variations in spellings over centuries and migrations across different countries, so it's usually advised to trace back individual family histories for a more precise understanding.
Order DNA origin analysisWerhner: Where does the name Werhner come from?
The last name Werhner is common today mainly in Germany and other countries with large German populations. According to the 1990 US Census, there were 893 people in the United States with the last name Werhner. However, the most recent estimates suggest that the number of people with the last name Werhner in the US is now much lower. Some of the states in the US that have had the highest populations of Werhners are Texas, Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio.
Outside of the US, the surname is more prevalent in Germany. According to records, there are currently about 6,000 people in Germany with the last name Werhner. Other European countries that have some Werhners include Austria, France, the Netherlands, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
The Werhner name is an occupational surname that is derived from the Middle High German word "werner". This word is derived from the Old German word “warin”, which means protector or guardian of a fortress. The use of this surname likely arose from a family ancestor being employed as a watchman or guard of a castle wall or gate.
Variations of the surname Werhner
The surname Werhner has many variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin. For instance, "Werner" is the German form, while "Verner" is the Swedish version. The Scottish versions are "Verner" and "Vernerr", and the French variant is "Varnier". It is also seen as "Wanner" and "von Wannern" in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.
Various variants and spellings of the name can also be found throughout Europe, such as "Wernern" in Sweden, "Werners" in Germany, "Varner" in Norway, and "Warners" in the Netherlands. While "Werners" and "Warner" are the most frequent spelling and variant respectively in the United Kingdom, "Werner" is also present in the region.
In terms of surnames of the same origin, some of the more notable ones include Wernhoff, Wernheer, and Wernher. Moreover, there are other similar-sounding surnames like Wernig, Wehrner, Warneke, Waerner, Verneri, and Wernette.
Overall, the surname Werhner has numerous variants and spellings, as well as a rich selection of other surnames with the same origin. Hence, it is important to consider all possible variations when researching a family’s heritage.
Famous people with the name Werhner
- Henry Werner (first ballroom dancing master of Dublin, Ireland)
- Albert Werner (German architect)
- Dennis Werner (American former football player)
- Ádám Werhöner (Hungarian racing cyclist)
- Catrin Werhahn (German rower)
- Lars Werner (Danish former football player)
- Bill Werhane (American businessman)
- Tiffany Werner (American former volleyball player)
- Thomas Werner (American baseball owner)
- Wolfgang Werner (German ophthalmologist and Professor at the University of Freiburg)