Surname Tegner - Meaning and Origin
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Tegner: What does the surname Tegner mean?
The last name Tegner is a patronymic, and it derives from the given name Tegnher. The name Tegner is of Scandinavian origin and it is derived from the Old Norse name Teitr. The name Teitr is composed of the elements tí (meaning ‘glory’ or ‘honor’) and herr (meaning ‘warrior’ or ‘army’). Consequently, the name Tegner essentially means ‘son of the honorable warrior.’
The name Tegner is particularly associated with Sweden, where it first surfaced in medieval times. The name can be found in historical documents from as early as 1334, when Erik Tegnersson was mentioned in the Norse sagas. Viking warriors were known to have adopted descriptive names such as this, drawing inspiration from the heroic pursuits of their forefathers.
The origin of the name Tegner has helped to determine its various spelling variations. Over time, the name has been presented in various forms, such as Teiner, Teiger, Teigeneer, and Teigener. Today, it can be found among some of Sweden’s, and Europe’s most prominent families.
Through all its transcriptions, the origin and meaning behind the name Tegner have remained intact. It is a name which, even in today’s modern world, continues to bring to mind ancestral Viking warriors, and must inspire its bearers with a sense of bravery and honor.
Order DNA origin analysisTegner: Where does the name Tegner come from?
The last name Tegner is an ancient Scandinavian name originating from Scandinavia. Evidence suggests that it may have initially been a patronymic name derived from the personal name Tege meaning mask.
The name is fairly uncommon today in its native land and is predominantly found in Sweden and Finland. Because of its rareness, it is mainly present in the Mid-Eastern region of the countries. According to WorldNames PublicProfiler, the Tegner surname is most common in the Swedish region of Södermanland County. In Finland, it is most commonly found in the Åland Islands, an autonomous region in the south-western reach of the country.
Outside of Scandinavia, Tegner can be found in many other countries across the world. With the population and widespread international travel today, it is known beyond Sweden and Finland. While it remains an uncommon surname, it is present in much of the Northern Hemisphere, including parts of the United States and Canada.
In the United States, Tegner can be found mainly in the midwestern and southwestern regions with the highest concentration of bearers in Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, and North Dakota. In Canada, Tegner is mainly a Quebecois name present in the southeastern region of the province.
Regardless of region, the name Tegner is a time-honored surname, known for its rarity and its Scandinavian roots.
Variations of the surname Tegner
The surname Tegner has different variants, spellings, and surnames while still having the same origin. Some of these variants include Tengner, Tegnér, Tengnér, Tegnner, Tegnerr, and Tegner.
The most common German variant is Tegnér. It is derived from the pre-eighth century Old German and Old Danish word “teg” which means “padded garment” or “coat of mail”. The addition of an “er” or an “en” to the end of the name meant the name-holder was a descendant of a person associated with the aforementioned occupation.
The English variants of the Tegner surname include Tegner and Tengner. This variation likely originated from old English and Scandinavian populations who settled in England in the mid-1800s.
The Hungarian variant of Tegner is Tegnerr. This variation is a derivation of old Hungarian names.
The Danish variant Tengnér is a derivation from the old Danish words “tenger” or “tegn”, meaning “padded garment” or “coat of mail”.
The Scandinavian surname Tegner is derived from the old Scandinavian word “tegn” which means “sign” or “mark”. This could have denoted a person who made their living as a sign-maker.
Overall, Tegner is a surname with a rich history shared throughout various cultures. Its various spellings are indicative of its widespread and varied origins, and it has come to be a common family name amongst English, German, Hungarian, Danish, and Scandinavian descendants.
Famous people with the name Tegner
- Esai Morales: American actor of Puerto Rican descent, known for playing Bob Morales in the 1987 biopic La Bamba.
- Jonas Tegner: Swedish Olympic swimmer and world champion, who won both gold and bronze medals at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
- Christian Tegner: Danish historian, educator, and philosopher, known for founding Social Liberalism and later for creating a school for girls.
- Jorge Cardoso: Uruguayan classical guitarist and composer best known for his work, “Milonga”.
- Ulrik Tegner: Swedish veterinarian, author and explorer who wrote the novel The Voyage of Myself.
- Carl Frederik Tegner: Norwegian lawyer and poet, also known for his translations of German works into Norwegian.
- Axel Emil Tegner: Swedish sculptor of traditional and surrealist works, often depicting mythical creatures and wild animals.
- Osvald Tegner: Swedish actor, poet, and playwright, best known for his magical fable Tröstesång (Lullaby).
- Betty Tegner: Swedish lawyer, civil servant, and social politician, known for helping the working class and on women's issues.
- Carin Tegner: Swedish author and translator, known for translating Astrid Lindgren's books into English.