Submitted Surname Revision History

loadingDate    Editor    Change Summary
4/30/2024, 8:54 AM Mike C
6/22/2017, 8:04 PM TanorFaux

Name Hefner
Type Surname (from occupation)
Usage German, Jewish
Other Forms FormsHafnare, Hafner, Haffner, Hevner, Hevener
Edit Status Statusnot set

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.
Added 6/22/2017 by TanorFaux