Surname Mesner - Meaning and Origin
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Mesner: What does the surname Mesner mean?
The surname Mesner is of German origin and it is derived from the Middle High German term "mesner", which means "sexton" or "church servant". A "sexton" is a person who looks after a church and its graveyard, often performing additional duties such as ringing the church bells and digging graves. This suggests that the earliest individuals with the Mesner surname were likely employed in such a role. The surname is primarily found in Germany, and may also be written as Meßner or Messner. Despite its origins, the meaning of a surname does not necessarily give any insight into the lineage, ancestors' occupations or attributes of contemporary individuals who bear it. Like other surnames, it has been passed down through generations.
Order DNA origin analysisMesner: Where does the name Mesner come from?
The surname Mesner is of German origin. The name is considered to be occupational, as it derives from the Middle High German term "Mesner", which refers to a sexton. A sexton was an officer of the church who was responsible for the maintenance of its buildings and/or the surrounding graveyard. Therefore, the Mesner surname was likely initially granted to individuals who held this position within a church.
Today, it is most commonly found in the United States, Germany, and Austria. Still, it remains quite a rare surname globally. In the U.S., less populated states like Alaska, Hawaii, and North Dakota tend to have a higher density of Mesners. In Europe, besides Germany and Austria, it also has some presence in Switzerland, albeit in smaller numbers. So the distribution of the Mesner surname is quite dispersed and is not densely concentrated in any particular regions. Of note, the frequency of the Mesner surname is quite low even in areas where it is most common.
Variations of the surname Mesner
The surname Mesner originates from the German word "Mesner," which means a sacristan or a person who looks after a church. It is also believed to have derived from the Old German word "Meisner," meaning one who makes dishes or bowls, indicating a person's occupation.
Following are the various alternate spellings and variations of this surname, some due to regional pronunciations, local dialects, or translation into other languages:
1. Mesna
2. Mezner
3. Meisner
4. Meissner
5. Messner
6. Mösner
7. Mesmer
8. Mässner
Similar sounding names like Metzner, Meister, Menzer, and Muenzer may also be variants but they trace their roots to different origins or occupations.
The surname has also been exported to different countries who may have their own versions or given it a local twist according to their language and pronunciation. Some of these include Meznar in Slovenia, Mesnar in Slovakia, and Mezner in English speaking countries.
It is also interesting to note that the famous Austrian physician Franz Anton Mesmer who discovered a process named 'Mesmerism' later known as hypnosis, was a Mesmer which is a variant of this surname.
Famous people with the name Mesner
- Georgia Mesner: Australian actress known for the television series The Heights and Glitch.
- Rod Mesner: American actor who starred in the cult movie The Return of the Living Dead.
- Eric Mesner: American actor and film and television producer, known for the films Big Hero 6 and Wreck-It-Ralph.
- Troy Mesner: Canadian actor known for his roles in movies such as Saw IV and Resident Evil: Extinction.
- Jan Mesner: German actor known for his roles in shows such as Unsere Mütter, unsere Väter and Nachtschicht.
- Joseph Mesner: American actor known for his roles in the television series The Young and the Restless and soap operas such as General Hospital and Days of our Lives.
- Alice Mesner: Austrian actress known for her roles in films such as One Night in Vienna and Das weisse Rauschen.
- David Mesner: Czech filmmaker and film director, known for his feature films Run Silent Run Deep and The Good Mother.
- Marek Mesner: Polish director and writer, known for his films Heroes of September and Pink.
- Ferenc Mesner: Hungarian actor known for his roles in films such as Szeretet és sokszor fáj and Távol a vízparttól.