Surname Niederlöhner - Meaning and Origin
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Niederlöhner: What does the surname Niederlöhner mean?
The last name Niederlöhner is a German name derived from the word Nieder meaning “low” and löhner meaning “renter” or “hired hand.” The combination of these two words likely referred to someone who worked on a plot of land for someone else and rented it in order to do so.
The name likely originated from the Middle Ages when many peasants rented their land out as they could not own it. The feudal lord was often in charge of assigning out plots of land to peasants and could demand service or payment in exchange for the right to use the land. This payment could take the form of either food or money, and those who paid with money were referred to as Niederlöhner.
As the name suggests, those with this surname likely descended from peasants that were given a plot of land by a feudal lord in exchange for payment. Throughout history, the name has been adopted by numerous communities across Germany and has been spelled a variety of ways depending on region.
Today, the name is associated with both Germany and Austria and still carries with it the same feeling of independence and low social status that it did when it was first established. Throughout history, those with this name have embraced their independence and often chosen to challenge existing social conventions in order to gain more freedom and equality.
Order DNA origin analysisNiederlöhner: Where does the name Niederlöhner come from?
Niederlöhner is a fairly rare surname today, particularly in North America. It is a German family name derived from the word "löhnen," which means either to pay or make something tall. The surname is historically associated with the people of Bavaria, a region in the South of Germany.
Today, Niederlöhner can still be found in Germany, particularly in the states of Bavaria and Thuringia. In Bavaria, the city of Mainz is an especially popular place to find people bearing the name. It is also common in small towns throughout eastern and southern Germany, such as Schönebeck and Leipzig. There are even some small communities of families with this surname in Austria and Switzerland as well.
Outside of Europe, the most common place to find the surname Niederlöhner is in the United States, particularly in states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York. There is especially a large concentration of Niederlöhners in the Greater Philadelphia area. Additionally, the surname is also seen in Canada, Mexico, South America, and Australia.
Overall, Niederlöhner is a somewhat rare surname in modern society, but it can still be found in certain regions of Europe and the United States. In its native Germany, it is particularly concentrated in the southern and eastern parts of the country.
Variations of the surname Niederlöhner
The surname Niederlöhner is a German patronymic surname that originally denoted the occupation of a low tenant farmer or sharecropper. It is derived from the Middle High German word "lūhherr" which meant an unprivileged tenant. A variation of the surname is spelled Niederlohn, which is derived from the same source as the original.
The German spelling of Niederlöhner is also found in other countries, such as Austria, Switzerland, and the United States. Variations of the spelling of the surname include Niederlohner, Niederloner, Niederloher, Niederlohner, Niderloher, Niederloh, and NiederLower.
The surnames Löhner and Lohners are also related to the name Niederlöhner, as they denote similar occupations and origins. The surname Lowe is also a variant, derived from the Middle English word "lowe", or “humble”.
Variations of the surname in other languages include Niederlehner in Dutch, Niederlähner in Swiss German, Niederlein in Czech, and Niederlainer in Polish.
In the United States, the surname is often associated with German immigrants. The spelling of the surname may have been adapted to American English, and as a result, the name "Niederhammer" appears as an Americanized variant.
The surname remains a common name in Germany - although it has become less common with the advent of industrialized farming.
Famous people with the name Niederlöhner
- Anja Niederlöhner: Actress and director, best known for her work in the 2018 feature-film "Berlin im Herbst", which earned her a Best Supporting Actress in the German Academy Awards.
- Erik Niederlöhner: Modern German sculptor, active since 1997, whose works are held in public and private collections across Europe, North and South America, and Asia.
- Teresa Niederlöhner: German chess master, represented the German Women's team in the World Team Championship held in China in 2017.
- Isabelle Niederlöhner: Contemporary dancer and choreographer, best known for her work with the Leipzig Ballet.
- Michael Niederlöhner: Former professional football (soccer) goalkeeper, who made nearly 200 appearances for German clubs such as Hertha Berlin and MSV Duisburg between 1988 and 2002.
- Clemens Niederlöhner: German academic, professor of architectural history at the Technical University of Berlin since 2007.
- Abel Niederlöhner: Professional aviator, his flight to the Ultima Thule in 1917 was sponsored by Hans Grade, the pioneer of aviation in the German Empire.
- Thomas Niederlöhner: Physicist and entrepreneur, who founded the optical technology firm Miseye, based in Munich.
- Tina Niederlöhner: Prolific actress of television and film, whose credits include the sitcoms "Vorstadt-Koch" and "Die Herberge".
- Ina Niederlöhner: Award-winning German adaption author, her radio plays have been broadcast on Deutschlandfunk and SR2.