Surname Löschner - Meaning and Origin
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Löschner: What does the surname Löschner mean?
The last name Löschner is German in origin and dates back to the Middle Ages. It can be found in several German-speaking regions, including Austria, Bavaria, and Prussia. The name itself is derived from the Old High German word losh, meaning ‘ash’ or ‘ashes’. This suggests that it was originally used as a nickname for an individual who had a facial or other physical distinguishing feature that resembled ashes, such as grey hair or a light complexion.
Over time, the name has taken on a variety of spellings including Loschner, Looschner, Loesschner, and Loeschner. It has been most commonly recorded in Germany, where it ranks as the 1,419th most popular surname. It is also well represented in Austria, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands, and has spread to other countries, including the United States, Canada, and England.
Throughout its history, those bearing the Löschner surname have generally been members of the farmer or laboring classes. Today, the name is still associated with farming and related activities; it is listed in the profession-name reference book “Osnabrücker Kulturnamen” as meaning ‘farmer’. The name has also occasionally been used as a first name, although this is relatively rare.
Order DNA origin analysisLöschner: Where does the name Löschner come from?
The surname Löschner (also spelled Loeschner or Loschner) is a German occupational surname typically originating from northern Germany. It is most common today in the German states of Berlin, Brandenburg, and Saarland. It is also found in other parts of Europe and in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
In Germany, the name is derived from "Löschmann," which means "extinguisher" or "fireman," and is usually seen as a reference to a volunteer fireman or fire brigade member.
The name likely began as a job title for the man responsible for maintaining a community’s firefighting equipment and putting out fires. The title of "Löschner" was later solidified when Germany enacted levies on all its citizens, requiring them to take on certain roles and naming them "Grundbucherzahler."
In German records, the first references to the name Löschner date back to the 15th century. Records also exist for the name in Scandinavian, Polish, and Dutch countries.
In the United States, the surname Löschner has now been Americanized to Loschner, and records indicate several immigrations of Loschners to the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Immigrants primarily settled in New York, Maryland, Iowa, and Montana, and their descendants can now be found in various parts of the country.
In Australia, it is thought that the first Löschner family arrived from Brandenburg around the 1800s. Today, the Löschner surname is most prevalent in the states of New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland.
Overall, the surname Löschner is most common in Germany today, but its descendants have spread into other parts of Europe, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Its story is that of determination and resilience, as the Loschners have had to make a new life for themselves in each new place they have called home.
Variations of the surname Löschner
The surname Löschner is associated with several derivations, spellings and variants found in multiple languages around Europe.
In German, the surname is spelled as Löschner. Variants, both present day and historically, include Loeschner, Loschner, Loscher, Laechner, Loischner, Loischiner, Laischner, Laschener, Laschenor, and Loesner.
In Czech, the surname is spelled as Löschner or Loessner. Variants found include Loesser, Laesser, and Laeser.
In Polish, the surname is spelled as Łośner. Variants found include Loszner, Lowesner, Loshner, Lowshner, and Loschna.
In Yiddish, the surname is spelled as לאָשנער. Variants found are Loschner and Lossner.
In Austria, Löschner is found as its spelled variation, Löschner, and variants such as Loschnar, Lossnar, Loschnare, and Loschnarek.
In Hungary, the surname Loenscher and its variants are common. Variants found include Loenszer, and Loenschner.
In English, the surname is spelled as Loeschner or Loschner. Variants found include Laschner or Laechner.
Surnames with similar origins to Löschner can be found in many other countries and some of these include Lager, Lalicher, Laatschner, Mschistl, Loisneyer, Lehsen, Leskaya, Leshano, Lewsinger, L'offroy, Laisance, and Leschi.
Famous people with the name Löschner
- Zwei Löschner: two members of the German WW2 machine gun squad known as “Löschner’s Löschkompanie”
- Kimberley Löschner: Actress and model
- Dirk Löschner: Actor
- Dirk Löschner: Politician in the German Democratic Republic
- Franz Löschner: Famous German psychiatrist
- Johannes Löschner: Composer and instrumentalist
- Rebecca Löschner: Professional golfer
- Monika Löschner: Operatic soprano
- Frederik Löschner: German entrepreneur
- Ursula Löschner: Actress
- Anke Löschner: German judge
- Carsten Löschner: German professional soccer player
- Eric Löschner: German professional handball player
- Angelica Löschner: German Olympic ice skater
- Martin Löschner: German Olympic swimmer
- Alex Löschner: German Olympic diver
- Werner Löschner: German race car driver
- Sarah Löschner: German surfer
- Heike Löschner: German professional field hockey player
- Isabel Löschner: German ice hockey player