Surname Cornmesser - Meaning and Origin
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Cornmesser: What does the surname Cornmesser mean?
The last name Cornmesser is one of German origin, and is said to have begun with a craftsman class of people that manufactured various items from corn. The surname comes from the word “Kornmeister,” which literally translates to “grain master” or “corn master,” and was derived from occupations including miller, brewer, and mill-owner. The use of grains to make items such as bread, beer, and whisky had been part of the German language and culture for centuries.
At some point in history, the Cornmesser family began using their occupation as their surname. It was not uncommon for German citizens to begin using surnames during a time of economic and social change, and the difficulty in pronouncing “Kornmeister” likely influenced the current spelling.
Today, the Cornmesser name is still a part of the German family system and is used mainly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Many Cornmesser family members are still involved in occupations related to grain production, including millers, brewers, and distillers. Others continue to have a strong farming background, and are actively involved in the production of crops such as corn.
The surname Cornmesser is not limited to one history, occupation, or region; it is the product of a family deeply embedded in the culture and economy of the German region throughout the centuries. Whether a farmer, miller, brewer, or distiller, all Cornmessers continue to be rooted in the flourishes of grains.
Order DNA origin analysisCornmesser: Where does the name Cornmesser come from?
The last name Cornmesser is most commonly found in the United States, although its origin is German in nature. German surnames often reflect the geographic area where the ancestor resided, and Cornmesser appears to be a variation of the name Cornmüsser, which can be associated to a town called Müsser, located in the St. Philibert's parish in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate in southwestern Germany.
The United States has a strong history of immigration from Germany, providing an explanation for the large number of Cornmessers in the US. As of 2019, the last name is most commonly found in the eastern part of the country. In Pennsylvania, the surname is found most often, though it is also fairly common in Ohio, Maryland, New York, Illinois, Michigan and California.
Though its prevalence might be restricting today, it is likely that the name's original German spelling, Cornmüsser, could still be found in use in Germany today. Though this spelling is much rarer than its anglicised version, Cornmesser, it is known to exist. A small number of families can be found residing near the town of Müsser, the family's original home, and it is possible that, centuries on, at least a handful of residents still bear the family name.
Variations of the surname Cornmesser
The surname Cornmesser has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Kornmesser, Kornmößer, Kornmessner, Kornmeisser, Kornmueller, Kornmüller, Kornmeister, and Kernmesser.
Kornmesser and Kornmößer are German spellings of the same surname, which both mean "corn measurer". Kornmessner is another German spelling which has the same meaning. Kornmeisser is an old German spelling which translates to English as "corn miller". Kornmueller and Kornmüller are also old German spellings which have the same meaning as the other German spellings.
Kornmeister is another old German spelling which is derived from the Middle High German words "korn" meaning corn and "meister" meaning master. Kernmesser is another old German spelling which translates to English as "grain cutter".
All of the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Cornmesser are all derived from the occupation of the person holding the surname at some time in the past. This occupation was to measure and/or mill grain and/or corn, or to cut grain with a scythe. The people with these surnames were most likely farmers or millers in their respective countries.
Famous people with the name Cornmesser
- Phil Cornmesser: Phil Cornmesser is the Co-founder and CEO of FitBark, a company that manufactures advanced dog activity and health tracking systems. He has a degree in applied mathematics from Cornell University and has held senior positions at IBM Research and Lycos.
- Emily Cornmesser: Emily Cornmesser is an accomplished filmmaker, having directed the short films "Fix.Repair.Repeat," "Blank Pages" and "Lonely People,” as well as documentaries on the United Nations Global Goals and 50 years of Pride.
- Kristin Cornmesser: Kristin Cornmesser is a notable children’s book author, whose works include the series “Robbie visits the White House” and “Robbie visits the National Parks.” She is also an illustrator and a public speaker.
- William Cornmesser: William Cornmesser is an internationally-recognized researcher in the fields of artificial intelligence and robotics. He has served as a professor in the computer sciences department of Carnegie Mellon University since 1993.
- Wally Cornmesser: Wally Cornmesser is a professional golfer and a two-time PGA Tour winner. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2005.
- Mark Cornmesser: Mark Cornmesser is a Grammy award-winning violinist, composer and arranger. He has collaborated with artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Wynton Marsalis and Herbie Hancock.
- Jacob Cornmesser: Jacob Cornmesser is a prolific sculptor, whose works have sold in galleries around the world. He is also the founder of Grassroots, a non-profit organization that promotes youth artists.
- Lorraine Cornmesser: Lorraine Cornmesser is a renowned chef, baker and restaurateur, as well as the author of several cookbooks on baking and Caribbean cuisine. She is the owner of the popular Caribbean restaurant in Toronto, IrieEats.