Surname Pennybacker - Meaning and Origin
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Pennybacker: What does the surname Pennybacker mean?
The surname Pennybacker is of German origin and is believed to be an occupational surname. The origin of an occupational surname usually relates to the occupation or job of the individual's ancestors. This surname is thought to refer to a moneylender or a person involved in financial activities, derived from a combination of the Old English words 'pennig', meaning 'penny' - a unit of currency, and 'backer', derived from 'backen' which means 'to bake'. So one of the interpretations suggests it could have been someone who minted money or worked in a similar financial role. Another interpretation points towards a bakehouse worker, alluding to 'baking pennies', a colloquial term for honest earning. As with many surnames, the exact origin and original meaning may have been lost to history, but these theories offer a glimpse into its possible background. It's important to note that surname meanings can vary based on geographic location and time, and the meaning of Pennybacker could differ in various regions of Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisPennybacker: Where does the name Pennybacker come from?
The surname Pennybacker is believed to have originated in England. The name can still be found today in the United Kingdom, especially around the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire regions.
The surname has also spread to North America where it is found in the United States and Canada. During the 18th century, many English immigrants traveled to America and some adopted the surname Pennybacker as they moved into new territories.
Today, it is most common in the Southern United States, particularly in Texas, where many people of English and American descent still carry the surname. There are also many towns and cities across the U.S. named Pennybacker, such as Pennybacker Bridge in Austin, Texas.
Outside of the United States, Pennybacker is also used in Australia and New Zealand. It is also a common name in other parts of the world, such as France and Germany, but it is largely absent from most of the rest of Europe.
Variations of the surname Pennybacker
The most common spelling of the surname Pennybacker is Pennybaker, though the surname has other variants, spellings, and surnames derived from it. Variants of the name include Pennebacker, Pennymaker, Pennebake, Pennebaker, and Pennibaker. The spelling Pennymacher is found in some German-American families.
The surname Penneybacker is derived from the English occupational surname Pennybaker, referring to an individual who baked and sold loaves of bread referred to as “penney loafs.” A variant of the name, Pennibaker, originates from an old English word meaning “coal seller.”
Spellings of the surname include Pennybacker, Pennybacker, or Pennyebacker. The surnames Pennibaker and Pennimaker are also derived from it. The spelling Pennybacker is sometimes found in Wales, and in some parts of America, it is seen as a variant of the Scottish surname Penneybaker or Penneybacker.
Other surnames derived from Pennybacker include Pennypacker, Pennebacker, Pennebaker, Pennymaker, and Pennibaker. Pennebacker and Pennypacker originate from a Dutch word meaning “pennemeer,” which translated to English means “pilgrimage.”
The German-American surname Pennymacher is derived from the word “mech” which means “merchant.” This was likely the occupation of the first individual to bear this variation of the surname.
In summary, the surname Pennybacker has several variants, spellings, and surnames derived from it. Variants of the name include Pennebacker, Pennymaker, Pennebake, Pennebaker, Pennibaker, Pennybacker, Pennybacker, Penneybaker, Pennypacker, Pennymacher, and more. These names all derive from occupational or topographical origins.
Famous people with the name Pennybacker
- Donna Pennybacker: American accountant, business executive, and former president and chief executive officer of the American Institute of CPAs.
- Laddie Pennybacker: American oceanic geochemist and ocean conservationist.
- Chika Pennybacker: Japanese-American immigrants rights activist.
- William A. Pennybacker: American lawyer, educator, and politician from Jacksonville, Florida.
- George W. Pennybacker: American surgeon and military officer.
- Samuel Cornelius Pennybacker: American lawyer and member of the Virginia House of Delegates.
- Edward Packer Pennybacker: American minister, lawyer, and jurist who was active in both Virginia and West Virginia.
- Lucy Harris Pennybacker: American philanthropist.
- Pennybacker Bridge: iconic landmark located in Austin, Texas.
- Les Pennybacker: professional Canadian football player.