Surname Wanner - Meaning and Origin
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Unravelling the Threads of History: A Personal Journey through My iGENEA DNA Test
Discovering the historical and cultural dimensions of my surname 'Wanner' through an iGENEA DNA test has reshaped how I perceive my place in human history. Being able to trace my lineage back to agricultural communities in Southern Germany during the Middle Ages, and tracking their migration to different regions across centuries, instills in me a sense of resilience, adaptability, and survival inherent in my genes.
Y. Wanner
read moreWanner: What does the surname Wanner mean?
The last name Wanner has Germanic origins, likely deriving from the German word "Wanhar", which means "one who is stubborn" or "firm". This surname was likely given to individuals who possessed strong conviction and resoluteness in their goals and decisions.
During early times in Germanic culture, this quality was highly sought after and admired. In the feudal age, it was those with the most willpower who were able to achieve success and progress in society. This was especially important when the clan leaders sought to appoint powerful clansmen as their administrators and proxies. Those who bore the surnameWanner were likely amongst those appointed due to their steadfastness and iron will.
Today, the surname Wanner is still common in Germany, and can now be found in various countries throughout Europe, the Americas, and other parts of the world. It is likely to continue to be passed down throughout the generations, evoking a sense of pride and tenacity in those who bear it.
Order DNA origin analysisWanner: Where does the name Wanner come from?
The Wanner surname is found in many countries around the world. It is especially common in Germany and Austria, particularly in the region stretching from the city of Hanover in northern Germany, across the border to the western and central regions of Austria. It is also widely found in nearby countries within Central and Eastern Europe.
The Wanner name is believed to have originated in the Middle Ages, likely from the German and Austro-Bavarian word for "vintner" (or wine merchant). The surname is also present in the Netherlands, Luxembourg, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland. It is also found in France, mainly in the Loire region. In fact Wanner is among the top 10 surnames in the region.
In the United States, the surname Wanner is found mainly in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. According to the census of 1980, there were over 14,000 individuals living with the Wanner surname. It is believed that most of these people arrived in the late 1800s and early 1900s from Germany and Austria.
In terms of popularity, Wanner ranks around number 2,000 in the country and doesn’t appear in the top 1,000 most common surnames in the US. Outside the US, it’s particularly popular in Germany, Austria, and surrounding Central and Eastern European countries, especially in the region from Hanover and across the border into Austria.
Variations of the surname Wanner
The Wanner surname has numerous different spellings and variants, which all have the same origin. These variants include Wanner, Wainer, Waener, Wanar, Waener, Waenar, Wuener, Wunnar, Oener, and Wanir.
The Wanner surname was originally derived from the Middle High German word “wanen,” meaning “to wander” or “to roam.” At the time of its origin, this surname denoted an individual or family who lived a nomadic or traveling lifestyle, often referred to as a “Wanderer,” “Wanderlust” or “Vagabond.”
Variations of Wanner also occur in other European countries due to their language’s influence on the evolution of the surname. For example, the French spelling “Vauner” is derived from the Latin-based “vanare” or to wander, while in Italian regions the spelling has been changed to “Vanneri” or “Vaneri.”
The Wanner surname is primarily concentrated in German-speaking countries, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The spellings “Wainer” and “Oener” are mainly found in the eastern areas of Germany. In the United States, most Wanner and Wanar surnames are based in the Midwest and Pennsylvania.
Along with the various spellings of the Wanner surname, several other names have origins similar to Wanner. The Dutch surname Wannemaker, for example, literally means “wagon maker or repairer” and was likely created from a person who traveled around and fixed or built wagon fixtures. Similarly, the Dutch name Wandersman also has similar origins to Wanner. This name literally translates to “wanderer man” and likely denoted a nomadic lifestyle of an individual and their family.
Famous people with the name Wanner
- Katja Wanner: Lead singer and songwriter of the German electro-pop duo Malfie.
- Stephen Wanner: A British computer scientist and co-inventor of the software language Prolog.
- Patrick Wanner: A Swiss international judoka who participated in the 2008 Summer Olympics.
- John Wanner: A former Major League Baseball player who pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1959–1961.
- Freddy Wanner: An American historian and professor at Smith College, who specializes in the study of the post-Soviet societies of Central and Eastern Europe.
- Michael Wanner: An American politician who was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2016.
- Fritz Wanner: Austrian sculptor and medalist. He was born in Vienna in 1878 and he died in the same city in 1966.
- Harry Wanner: Former professional baseball player who played in the New York Highlanders of the American League from 1904 to 1906.
- Matthias Wanner: German actor. He is known for his roles in the television series München 7 and Der Staatsanwalt.
- Andre Wanner: Swiss-born French actor. He was mostly seen in the films released during the 1960s and 1970s.