Find out how popular the last name Woessner is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Woessner.

Woessner, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Woessner surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Woessner in America

Woessner is the 19976th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Woessner surname appeared 1,342 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Woessner.

We can also compare 2010 data for Woessner to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Woessner

The surname Woessner finds its origins in Germany, specifically within the Bavarian region, known for its dense forests, mountainous terrain, and rich cultural heritage. The name is derived from the German word "Wiesen," which translates to "meadow" in English, indicating that the original bearers of the surname may have lived by or worked in meadows.

Earliest traces of the name Woessner appear in medieval records from the late 14th century, within local parish registers and land ownership documents in Bavaria. During this period, surnames were commonly occupational, locational, or descriptive. Woessner likely falls into the locational category, suggesting individuals who lived near meadows. Over time, various spellings such as Wiesner or Wößner emerged, reflecting regional dialects and the transitional orthographic standards of the time.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be linked to a Hans Woessner, documented in 1456 in the municipal register of Munich. This individual was noted as a landholder and a respected member of the local council, suggesting the Woessner family had established themselves as prominent community figures during the late Middle Ages.

In the early 16th century, the Woessner name appears again, associated with Johann Woessner (1485-1542), a notable artisan from Augsburg. Johann gained recognition for his intricate woodworking and contributions to the cathedral's renovations. His craftsmanship not only showcased the prominence of the Woessner family in skilled trades but also tied the name to significant cultural heritage projects within Germany.

The Woessner surname continued to hold significance through the Renaissance and into modern history. Another notable figure bearing the surname was Franz Woessner (1720-1785), a scholar and alchemist situated in Freiburg. Franz's work in early chemical experiments and natural philosophy garnered attention in academic circles, contributing to the early scientific community in Germany.

Transitioning into the 19th century, the Woessner name expanded beyond Bavarian borders. Karl Woessner (1809-1879), a respected glassmaker, played a pivotal role in the glass manufacturing industry in Bohemia, incorporating traditional Bavarian techniques with emerging industrial methods. Karl's innovations in glasswork were widely celebrated, leading to advancements in both decorative and utilitarian glass items.

By the late 19th century, Georg Woessner (1854-1922) emerged as an influential agriculturalist in Baden-Württemberg. Georg's focus on sustainable farming practices and community cooperative models were instrumental in improving local agricultural productivity and rural economic stability. His contributions were documented in agricultural periodicals and journals of the time, highlighting the Woessner legacy in agronomic advancements.

The surname Woessner, with a history deeply rooted in Bavarian and Germanic culture, reflects a lineage of individuals who made significant contributions in various fields from medieval times through the modern era. From landholders and artisans to scholars and agriculturalists, the Woessner name carries a rich heritage and continues to be emblematic of its historical origins.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Woessner

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Woessner.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Woessner was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Woessner has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Woessner was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Woessner, please contact us.

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