Show ContentsPienaar History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Pienaar surname comes from the Old French word "pinard", which was a small medieval coin, so called because it bore a pine cone. The name Pienaar is thought to have evolved from a nickname, perhaps for a rich man, or a miser.

Early Origins of the Pienaar family

The surname Pienaar was first found in Maine where they held a family seat at the seigneurie of la Croix.

Early History of the Pienaar family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pienaar research. Another 64 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pienaar History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pienaar Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Pinard, Pinart, Pina, Pinar, du Pinard, du Pinard, Val Pinard, Val Pinart, de Pinard, de Pinart and many more.

Early Notables of the Pienaar family

More information is included under the topic Early Pienaar Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pienaar Ranking

In South Africa, the name Pienaar is the 159th most popular surname with an estimated 38,355 people with that name. 1


United States Pienaar migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Pienaar Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • William Pienaar, aged 30, settler from Bermuda who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Pretoria" in 1904 2
  • Bessie Pienaar, aged 26, settler from Africa who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Adriatic" in 1910 2
  • Raymond Pienaar, aged 11 months, settler from Africa who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Adriatic" in 1910 2

Australia Pienaar migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Pienaar Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century
  • Theodorus B. Pienaar, aged 32, settler from Cape Town who arrived in Brisbane, Australia aboard the ship "Aeneas" in 1921

Contemporary Notables of the name Pienaar (post 1700) +

  • Steven Jerome Pienaar (b. 1982), South African former professional footballer
  • Roy Francois Pienaar (b. 1961), South African former first-class cricketer
  • Elias Michael Pienaar (b. 1978), Namibian footballer
  • Jonathan Pienaar (b. 1962), South African actor, writer and comedian
  • John Adrian Pienaar (b. 1956), British journalist who currently works for Times Radio
  • Jacobus Francois Pienaar (b. 1967), retired South African rugby union player
  • Ben Pienaar (b. 1986), South African rugby union player for London Welsh
  • Antoinette Pienaar (b. 1961), South African actress, singer, and author
  • Ruan Pienaar (b. 1984), South African rugby union footballer
  • Gerhardus Pienaar (b. 1981), South African javelin thrower and former Junior World Champion
  • ... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  2. Ellis Island Search retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result


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