indicate the level to which a name has been verified.
Type Surname (from occupation)
Other Forms FormsHafnare, Hafner, Haffner, Hevner, Hevener
Meaning & History
Recorded in several spellings including Hafner, Haffner, and Hevner, this is as surname of early Germanic origins. It derives from the pre 7th century occupational word 'hafner'; which described a maker of pottery, particularly earthenware bowls and pitchers of a large size, used for the transport of liquids by pack animals. Perhaps not surprisingly given the importance of the product, this surname has produced one of the earliest of all known German surname recordings as no doubt the manufacture of such required items as bowls, would have created its own need for identification.