Surname Pennewitz - Meaning and Origin
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Pennewitz: What does the surname Pennewitz mean?
The last name Pennewitz is a German surname of Germanic origins. It is composed of two parts: “Penne” and “witz,” both of which are derived from old Germanic terms. “Penne” comes from the Middle High German word “penne” which means “worm” or “straw” and “witz” translates as “intelligence” or “wit.” Taken together, Pennewitz is thought to mean “intelligent worm” or “wise straw.”
The term “straw” can be linked back to the Medieval craft of straw weaving. In those days, straw was an important component of everyday fabric and clothing, and straw weavers were highly esteemed. It is believed that the Pennewitz family may have been straw weavers or may have used straw in some other capacity.
The term “worm” might also suggest a relationship to agriculture. Worms are incredibly important to soil health, and many farms relied on them for success. It is possible that the Pennewitz family had an agricultural background or were involved in farming in some capacity.
The combination of these two terms paints a picture of a family with both intelligence and talent – the kind of qualities that made them an important part of their community. Today, the Pennewitz name is still associated with people of great intelligence, talent, and resourcefulness.
Order DNA origin analysisPennewitz: Where does the name Pennewitz come from?
Pennewitz is a surname of German origin. The spelling of the name has evolved over time, and it is sometimes spelled Pennevitz or Pennevitze. Today, the name is most common in Germany, especially in the northern regions near Schleswig-Holstein. There are also Pennewitz families in Poland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, and other parts of Europe where German influences historically occurred. In the United States, the name is less widespread but there are still a few families who trace their ancestry back to German-speaking ancestors.
Pennsylvania is the only state in the US which has the highest concentration of Pennewitzes according to census records. It is likely that many immigrants who settled in Appalachia from the Palatinate in the 1700s brought this surname with them. People with this name can still be found in Pennsylvania, particularly in the Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Lancaster areas.
There are also small numbers of Pennewitz families in Canada and Australia, likely arriving there from former German settlements. People who are descended from immigrants with this name can search online genealogical databases to help them trace their ancestry and discover potential living relatives.
Variations of the surname Pennewitz
Pennewitz is a surname of German origin and is historically associated with what is now called the Lusatian region of northeastern Germany. The meaning and origin of the name is believed to be "the new village," probably derived from the Middle High German words pen(ne) and wiz, which themselves are derived from the Old High German word wiz. This is in reference to its association with the medieval Lusatian settlement of Penewiz.
The Pennewitz surname has numerous variant spellings and other surnames that are of the same origin. Some of these alternate spellings include Penewiz, Pennewitz, Benwitz, Benwiss, Beenwitz, Penneviz, Beniz, and Benwitz. There are also some forms that contain a “K” instead of a “Z”, including Benwitz, Pennekiz, Pennekitz, Penaitz, Penkaitz, Benkwitz, and Pencake. The variants of Pennewitz have been found primarily in Germany and the surrounding regions, particularly in the Lusatian region, for centuries.
Other similar surnames include Pinnwitz, Pennig, Pynekiz, Pinniz, Penz, Pankwitz, Binniz, and Pennwitz. These surnames are related to Pennewitz but their history and origin might differ, as they could also be of Jewish, Slavic, Swedish, or other European origins.
There is also a surname known as Penewits, which could be an anglicized version of the original Pennewitz surname. This anglicized version was adopted by some of the immigrants that came to the United States of America in the 19th century. Penewits is still found today, primarily in the United States.
Famous people with the name Pennewitz
- Arne Pennewitz: German footballer
- Jens Pennewitz: former football player
- Jürgen Pennewitz: former Racecar driver
- Scott Pennewitz: Comedian
- Sven Pennewitz: IT Consultant
- Canevelli Pennewitz: former Belgian football player
- Erik Pennewitz: former German football player
- Hans-Henning Pennewitz: German ice hockey player
- Kandy Pennewitz: New Zealand Paralympics swimming champion
- Manfred Pennewitz: German football player
- Rob Pennewitz: former American football offensive lineman
- Stef Pennewitz: Dutch football player
- Peter Pennewitz: former German ice hockey player
- Walter Pennewitz: former German football player