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Meaning & History
Means "grape, vine, wine" in German and Yiddish (װײַנ). According to Nelly Weiss, Wein-style family names originated from signboards (house sign, house shield) in Jewish communities. Wein may also be related the German verb weinen meaning "to cry". Wein can also be a metonymic occupational name for a wine merchant or producer or perhaps for a tavern keeper. It can also derive from a short form of any of various ancient Germanic compound given names beginning with the element wini meaning "friend" such as Winifrid or Winimar.