Surname Wehner - Meaning and Origin

Cultural Tapestry: How a DNA Test at iGENEA Transformed my Perception of Ancestors Wehner

As an unanticipated journey of self-discovery, I decided to take a DNA test at iGENEA. The revelations about my ancestors, the Wehners, not only stupefied me but redefined my self-understanding in profound ways. This report is a reflection on the dramatic transformation of my perception and identity, induced by the unexpected insights delivered by the DNA test.

N. Wehner

Wehner: What does the surname Wehner mean?

The last name Wehner is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German term “wenher” which translates to “one who hunts”. The term “Wehner” was originally an occupational surname, indicating that the original bearer was an huntsman or a forester. The earliest known records of Wehner date back to 1344 in Westphalia, Germany. It is believed that the Wehner family originated from the region of Hanover.

Throughout the centuries, the Wehner name has spread in popularity across Germany, and is now found in Austria, Switzerland, and the United States. In Germany, the name is found, primarily in the states of Bavaria, Brandenburg and Slesia.

In modern days, the Wehner name carries the meaning of a hunter, with a connotation of strength and courage. Those who have the name Wehner are often associated with the traits of being adventurous and independent.

In Germany the Wehner family crest is of a deer looking through an evergreen forest, symbolic of the hunting spirit associated with the name. It is adorned with the German colors of black and gold.

The Wehner name is an enduring symbol of strength and courage, tracing its origin back to a time of hunting and adventure. For those who bear the name Wehner, it serves as a reminder of an individual's personal history and continuing legacy.

Wehner: Where does the name Wehner come from?

The last name Wehner is found in many parts of the world today. It is most commonly seen in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.

In Germany, the name originated in the southwestern state of Baden-Württemberg. It is also immensely popular in the federal states of Bavaria and Hesse, as well as in Berlin. The name Wehner is also seen in other parts of Europe, particularly in Switzerland, where it is the eighth most common last name.

In the United States, Wehner is primarily found in Illinois, California, and Pennsylvania. It has had increasing popularity over the last few decades, steadily climbing up the list of most common surnames.

As a Jewish surname, Wehner can also be found in Israel. It is of German, Jewish and Yiddish origin, deriving from the same root word as the Jewish surname Weiner.

The last name Wehner is linked to a variety of occupations. Examples include; wheelwright, carpenter, and baker, just to name a few. It is also the name of several places and several notable people, such as German amateur boxer Max Wehner.

Undoubtedly, the last name Wehner is present in many places around the world today. Its centuries-old development is traceable, which makes it a fascinating surname to research.

Variations of the surname Wehner

The surname Wehner has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.

Most common variants of the Wehner surname include Wener, Wehner, and Wohner.

Less common variants of the Wehner surname include Wearner, Wauer, Wainer, Woiner, Waener, Wonner, Wenar, Wayner, Wener, Wenner, Woner, and Wannar.

Additional spellings of the Wehner surname include Wehrer, Wiehner, Wehman, Wehmeier, and Wehmann.

Surnames of the same origin as Wehner include Werners, Wernauers, Wernersbach, and Wahner.

Wehner is an occupational surname, derived from a German word that means "wine-grower," so many of the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin relate to this occupation as well. Wehner is German in origin but is also often found in Austria, Switzerland, and other countries in the region.

Wehner's variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin all have a strong connection to the German language, and to wine-growing as a profession. Whether one spells it Wehner, Wener, or Wohner, the name reveals a fascinating story of Germanic ancestry and a strong connection to wine-growing.

Famous people with the name Wehner

• Lars Wehner: German ISU speed skater
• Paul Wehner: former professional football player
• Karl Reinhard Wehner: German philosopher, professor, holocaust survivor
• Maria Wehner: German former swimmer
• Joachim Wehner: politician and member of the European Parliament
• Gernot Wehner: Austrian former water polo player
• Peter Wehner: American political commentator and Director of the White House Office of Strategic Initiatives
• Heile Wehner: former East German shot putter
• Petrus Wehner: German Jesuit missionary
• Katherine Wehner: American contestant on Big Brother 7

Other surnames

WehnelWehnemannWehnen