Skip to main content

Updated June 9, 2019

Family name origins & meanings

  • Swiss and German : nickname for someone with tax obligations amounting to one Pfennig, or an occupational name for a toll collector on a turnpike, at a bridge, etc., from an agent derivative of Middle High German pfenninc ‘penny’ (see Pfennig).

Subscribe to Family Education

Your partner in parenting from baby name inspiration to college planning.

Subscribe