Surname Korner - Meaning and Origin
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Discoveries and Reflections: Unraveling the Hidden Heritage of the Korner Family Through DNA Chronicles
Unveiling the secrets hidden in my genetic makeup, the exploration through the iGENEA DNA test has dramatically altered my perception of my family name, Korner, and our shared identity. Instead of being rooted solely in Austrian-German grounds, these results illuminated a remarkable Eastern European heritage, which unfolded an intriguing blend of diverse cultures and histories in our lineage.
J. Korner
read moreKorner: What does the surname Korner mean?
The last name Korner is thought to be a German and Dutch surname that is derived from the word 'korn', meaning 'grain' or 'corn'. In some cases, Korner was a topographic name for someone who lived by a corner of land, near a crossroads or by a bend in the river. In the Middle Ages, land boundaries were often marked by the corners, often described as the four corners of the earth in many religious texts.
The spelling variations of Korner include Corner, Korn, Koerner, Koerner, Kern, Corn, Kornr, Koner, Konner, Kornre, Kornre, Kornrer, Koner, Kornre, Körner, Koorners, Kärn, Köörner, Körner, Koerner, Koeners, Koeners and Coren.
The name is found in various locations throughout Germany and the Netherlands. It first appeared in records in the 14th century when Johann Korn was recorded living in Regenspurg, Germany, in 1440. In Holland, Derick Kornere was recorded in Deventer in 1437.
The name was also common in England, where it is recorded in the Pipe Rolls of 1166 when Samson le Cornere was named in Westmoreland. Later, the spellings Corner and Corn were found in Yorkshire in the 13th century. Finally, in the United States, Cornelius Korn was recorded living in Pennsylvania in 1775.
In conclusion, the last name Korner is an old German and Dutch name derived from the word 'korn' or 'grain'. It is found in various spelling variations throughout various parts of Europe, as well as in England and the United States. It is thought to have originally been a topographic name for someone who lived by a corner of land, near a crossroads or by a bend in the river.
Order DNA origin analysisKorner: Where does the name Korner come from?
The surname Korner is a rare but ancient inherited family name of Germanic origins. Its frequency in Germany today is very low, with only about 2,000 surnames recorded in the nationwide telephone directory. Even fewer are to be found in Austria and Switzerland. Korner is not a common name elsewhere in Europe either.
In the United States, Korner is barely a blip of a surname, with less than 500 counted in the 2020 Census. This coats predominantly small towns in Oregon, Texas, and New York, as well as several locations in Alabama. Some areas of those states have upwards of 50 individuals with the Korner last name, such as the small towns of Valley Mills, TX, and Wingina, VA.
Korner is also quite rare in other parts of the world - with less than 200 people in Australia, and even fewer in the United Kingdom and Canada.
Korner was an even rarer name centuries ago, derived from the Germanic elements "koron," meaning "edge," and "ner," meaning "bold" - both suggestive of strength and the determination to stand at the edge of a feat. Today, it continues to be a strong yet uncommonly found surname, mostly associated with those of German, Austrian, and Swiss heritage.
Variations of the surname Korner
Korner is a variant surname of the Germanic name Korner which dates back to medieval times. It derives from the old German word ‘korn,’ which means grain or corn. Over the centuries, the surname has assumed numerous spellings, such as Corn, Cornner, Korn, Kornner, Cornor, Kornor, Coorner, and Koerner. Other variations include Corner, Cornar, Corners, Korners, Corburn and Corben.
Korner has been found mainly in the countries of modern-day Germany, Austria, and Poland. It is also a common surname in the U.S., due to German and Central European immigrants arriving in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The most popular spelling of the surname in the U.S. is probably Koerner, but others such as Kornner and Corner may also be encountered. It is also interesting to note that the surname was sometimes inscribed in old documents as Kurner or Kurmer.
In some instances, the surname is assumed to be of Jewish origin, as a variant of the name Kornreich, which is most likely derived from the German word for ‘kingdom’. This was a common name for Jewish communities in Central Europe before they emigrated to this region.
Different variations of the surname Korner are still found today, all over the world. In some cases, it is linked to prominent families, amongst whom the most famous one is probably the actor Keir Dullea (born Keir Lionel Dullea), who made his debut in the classic science-fiction film 2001: A Space Odyssey in 1968.
Famous people with the name Korner
- Chris Korner: English presenter, journalist, and author who wrote the award-winning book about his father’s experiences in the Second World War, ‘Korner’s War’.
- Alex Korner: British blues singer and guitarist who was a pioneer of the British rhythm and blues scene in the 1960s
- Tony Korner- British barrister and the older brother of Chris Korner, known for his role as lead counsel in the well-publicised 1990 ground-breaking courtroom drama ‘Purley: The Trial of the Century’
- PJ Korner: Australian author, singer and composer. She was the lead vocalist of the soul-pop duo Karina and the Korners, as well as a solo artist
- Lee Korner: American business executive and investor, founder of Addigy, a cloud-based platform for IT professionals and Managed Service Providers
- Henry Charles Körner: German actor, ballerina and cabaret artist
- George Körner: German composer
- Louis Körner: German actor and playwright
- Frank Körner: German television presenter and filmmaker
- Rudolf Körner: German businessman and philanthropist