Surname Sonnleitner - Meaning and Origin

Discovering My Sonnleitner Lineage through iGENEA's DNA Testing: An In-depth Analysis and Personal Experience

Using a DNA test kit from iGENEA, I embarked on a journey to explore the genetic ancestry related to my surname, Sonnleitner. The test was easy to use, the results were insightful, and the whole experience broadened my understanding of my paternal lineage, though knowing it isn't 100% accurate.

B. Sonnleitner

Sonnleitner: What does the surname Sonnleitner mean?

The last name Sonnleitner is a German-language surname which translates to "son of the lightner" or "son of the torch-bearer." This surname is generally believed to have originated in southern Germany centuries ago as a way to distinguish a person or a family who carried a torch, which was used to light their way.

In this sense, it could be considered a patronymic or metronymic name, as it is derived from the family’s occupation rather than from the name of a father. Other sources suggest that the name could originate from a nickname given to a person based on their resolute behavior. For example, this type of German surname would be given to a person who had such a bright personality or was so enthusiastic that people thought of them as someone who carried a torch.

In modern times, Sonnleitner can be found as a surname throughout many countries in Europe as a result of immigration. It still carries the same meaning it did in the past, and signifies that a person is brave, diligent, and passionate about their work.

Sonnleitner: Where does the name Sonnleitner come from?

Sonnleitner is a surname most commonly found in Austria, Germany, and the United States. It is an occupational surname, derived from the Middle German word “sonne” meaning sun and “leitner” meaning guardian or supervisory officer. Today, there are thousands of people around the world who carry the Sonnleitner name.

In Austria, Sonnleitner is an extremely common surname. According to figures by the Austrian Citizens’ Service, it is the 714th most frequent surname in the country, with 11,096 people bearing the name as of 2020. In Germany, Sonnleitner is also an established name, wherein it is the 8,400th most common last name. It is included under the top ten percent of the most frequent surnames in Germany, with a total of 9,423 people carrying the name.

In the United States, Sonnleitner is in the top 7% of surnames recorded in the country. As of the 1990 census, it was the 11,326th most frequent surname, with about 2,450 people using the name.

Overall, Sonnleitner is a relatively popular surname due to its ancestral roots in Austria, Germany and the United States. It is a unique and meaningful surname which is sure to be carried with pride.

Variations of the surname Sonnleitner

The surname Sonnleitner is derived from the German word "sonne" which means sun. It is also thought to have originated from the Biblical name "Sohn" which is German for son.

Variations of the Sonnleitner surname can be found in different parts of the world including Austria, Germany, and the United States. In Austria, the surname is usually spelled "Sonnleitner" or "Sonnleitner" while in German-speaking countries it is usually spelt "Sonnleiter" or "Sonnlighter". German-speaking immigrants to the US generally Americanized their spelling to "Sonnleitner".

Other spellings of the surname Sonnleitner include Sonleitner, Soneliter, Sunlighter, Sonnleiter, Sonlightner, Sonnlighter, Sunlightner, Sunlitner, Sunltiner, and Sonlighten.

Surnames of the same origin as Sonnleitner include Leitner, Sonnerman, Leitner, Sonneliter, Sonnelightener, and Sonnelitener.

The surname Sonnleitner has two distinct origins: as an occupational name for someone who worked with the sun, or from the Jewish name "Sonnnlicht" or "son of the sun". It is likely that the occupational origin is more popular in countries where the surname has been known since the medieval times, while the Jewish origins could be more recent.

Famous people with the name Sonnleitner

• Andre Sonnleitner: an Austrian actor and director known for his roles in Unlawfully Yours, Pauli und die Philosophen and Coopers Geheimnis.
• Winston Sonnleitner: an American professional soccer referee known for officiating in over 200 MLS games, 30 CONCACAF Champions League matches and the 2015 FIFA Under-17s World Cup.
• Ryan Sonnleitner: an American racing driver who competed in various ARCA Menards Series Midwest Tour races from 2014 to 2017.
• Chris Sonnleitner: an American football cornerback who played for the Arizona Cardinals in 1993 and 1994.
• Wolfgang Sonnleitner: a Swiss professional tennis player whose highest ranking was 306th in the world.
• Hans Sonnleitner: an Austrian diver who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics.
• Johann Sonnleitner: a Germanic-American entrepreneur and wine connoisseur who founded the Sonnleitner Winery.
• Sirra Sonnleitner: an Australian documentary filmmaker best known for producing the 2017 drama series Sizzle Eight.
• Patrick Sonnleitner: an Austrian cyclist who competed in the 1978 and 1979 amateur road cycling world championships.
• Todd Sonnleitner: an American triathlete who competed in numerous Ironman Triathlons from 1985 to 2015.

Other surnames

SonnleiterSonnleithner