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| Origins Available: |
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The surname Brenninger was first used as a hereditary surname in the ancient German province of Westphalia. It identified its original bearer by occupation. Surnames of this type became popular in Germany after the 12th century. Brenninger is a name for a person who distilled spirits. Brenninger is a German and Jewish name that was originally derived from the German word brenner, which as a derivative of the word brennen, means a burner. This name also refers to a person who cleared forests by burning.
The surname Brenninger was first found in Westphalia, where the name was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region. They branched into many houses, and their contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brenninger research. Another 43 words (3 lines of text) covering the year 1686 is included under the topic Early Brenninger History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Brenninger include Brenninger, Brenning, Breninger, Breninnger, Brenningen, Brenningmaier, Brenninkmaier (Netherlands), Brenningmeyer and many more.
More information is included under the topic Early Brenninger Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
For many Germans, emigration to North America was an inviting alternative to the trials of life in the old country. From the mid-17th into the present century, thousands of Germans migrated across the Atlantic. They capitalized on the chance to escape poverty and persecution, and to own their own land. After 1650, Germans settled throughout the states of Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many also landed in Canada, settling in Ontario or father west on the rich land of the prairies. Among them: