Show ContentsEisner History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Eisner originated in the German speaking Austrian Empire, which was primarily located in the Danube River Basin. Surnames that identified the bearer by occupation, like Eisner, became common in Germany after the 12th century. Eisner is a name for a person who was a iron worker or iron seller.

Early Origins of the Eisner family

The surname Eisner was first found in Austria, where the name was closely identified in early mediaeval times with the feudal society which would become prominent throughout European history. The family would later emerge as nobility with great influence, having many distinguished branches, and become noted for its involvement in social, economic and political affairs. Ancient chronicles first mention one "Walther der Isiner" in the year 1272.

Early History of the Eisner family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Eisner research. Another 142 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1641, 1706, 1712, 1773, 1867, 1918 and 1919 are included under the topic Early Eisner History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Eisner Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Eisner include Eisner, Aisner, Eissner, Aissner, Eisener, Eisnert, Eisen, Aisener, Isener, Isner, Issner and many more.

Early Notables of the Eisner family

During this period prominent bearers of the name Eisner were

  • Kurt Eisner (1867-1919), who was a German political journalist of Jewish descent...

Eisner Ranking

In the United States, the name Eisner is the 12,433rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. [1]


United States Eisner migration to the United States +

After the First World War, Austria became a republic. The Treaty of Versailles broke up the empire in 1919 and many of the Sudeten Germans were incorporated into the new nation of Czechoslovakia. In the 20th century, many Austrians migrated to other parts of Germany or Europe, as well as to North America. In the United States, the majority of settlers landed in Philadelphia, and moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Many German settlers also migrated to Canada, particularly Ontario and the Prairies. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Eisner were

Eisner Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Carel Eisner, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1732
Eisner Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Charles S Eisner, aged 22, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1848 [2]
  • August Eisner, who arrived in Galveston, Tex in 1851 [2]
  • Moritz Eisner, who settled in Philadelphia in 1873

Contemporary Notables of the name Eisner (post 1700) +

  • William "Will" Eisner (b. 1917), American illustrator
  • Lotte H Eisner (1896-1983), German writer
  • Kurt Eisner (1867-1919), German journalist
  • Kurt Eisner (1867-1919), Bavarian writer and politician, socialist president of Bavaria in 1919
  • Michael Eisner (b. 1942), former head of The Walt Disney Company
  • Elliot W Eisner, Professor of Art and Education at Stanford University


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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