Surname Korns - Meaning and Origin
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Korns: What does the surname Korns mean?
The surname Korns is of German origin. It's an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German term "korn," which means "grain." Thus, it was often given to individuals who worked as grain merchants, millers, or farmers whose primary crop was grain. Surnames were often used to describe an individual's occupation, characteristics, or location during medieval times when the practice of inherited surnames was not common. Hence, the different variations of the surname, such as Korn, Korner, and Kornmann, could all have similar origins. Each spelling might signify a different family line, depending on the region within German-speaking areas where they originated. Although it doesn't offer any aristocratic or noble connotations, the surname Korns represents an important role in the agricultural community.
Order DNA origin analysisKorns: Where does the name Korns come from?
The surname Korns is believed to have German origins, renowned as a popular topographical surname for someone who lived near a field of grain, as the word 'Korn' means grain in German. Alternate theories suggest it could also be a habitational name from any of the various places named with this word in northern Germany. Though the surname spread across various parts of the world due to migration, it is still prevalent in Germany. In the United States, it is particularly common among residents of Pennsylvania, where several generations of families with the last name Korns have lived, likely due to historical migrations of German populations to this area. Therefore, while the Korns surname can be found globally thanks to widespread diaspora, the highest concentrations remain in Germany and the United States today.
Variations of the surname Korns
The surname Korns is of German origin and there are several alternative spellings, variants, and related surnames attributed to this lineage. Some of these are:
Alternative spellings: Korn, Karn, Karne, Kerns, Kehrns.
Variants: The variants often depend upon regional dialects and phonetic changes throughout centuries. These include Korrn, Coerns, Koern, Koehrn, and Khorns.
Surname of the same origin: Korner, Kornman, Kornblum, Koenig, Kornfeld, Kornmeyer are some surnames that share the same Germanic origin and carry the syllable 'Korn', suggesting an occupational or locational lineage.
There is also a possibility that the surname Korns was Anglicized upon immigration into English-speaking countries and thus might have taken different forms. For instance, it could become Corns or Cornes in the UK or US.
Complications often arise when tracing the etymology of a surname such as 'Korns' due to historical shifts in language, the migration of peoples, and a lack of standardization in early writings. Therefore, while the surname Korns and its various forms seem to stem from a German origin, the precise lineage of the name is not uncommonly difficult to establish definitively.
Famous people with the name Korns
There are not many well-known individuals with the last name Korns. Mike Korns, an American financial advisor and author of "Invest Like The Best," is one of the few with some prominence. He has made considerable contributions to the field of finance. Another related individual is Lt. Col. Michael Korns Sr., a figure from American history known for his role in the American Civil War. Beyond these, there are no widely recognized celebrities, scholars, artists, or public figures known by the last name Korns. It's worth noting that more famous individuals could potentially exist on a local or regional level, or in specific professional fields.