The Penner surname

In the 2010 U.S. Census, 5,349 people carried this name — #6,363 among all U.S. surnames, about 1 in every 55,200 people counted. That is up 6% from 5,036 in 2000.

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What the name means

The meaning of the Penner surname

As an English and Welsh surname

Bardsley classes it as a name of office: ‘the penner’.

An early record he cites: Eborard Penier, Lincolnshire, 1273 — Hundred Rolls.

From Charles W. Bardsley, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, with Special American Instances (London: Henry Frowde, 1901), p. 596 · public domain.

In Argentina’s national register

At least 95 people named Penner live in Argentina.

RENAPER only publishes a name in a province when more than ten people there share it, so the real number is higher. Most of them live in Córdoba.

Too few records to say where it concentrates region by region — these are plain counts, not shares.

Where they live today

Córdoba 32
Buenos Aires Province 27
La Pampa 22
Catamarca 14

RENAPER (National Registry of Persons, Argentina), surnames of residents by province, December 2021 — CC BY 4.0.

In France’s civil register

France’s register of deaths holds 48 people named Penner.

5 of them were born outside France. Those born in France came from 5 départements, most often Bas-Rhin.

Too few records to say where it concentrates region by region — these are plain counts, not shares.

Where they were born

Born outside France 5
Bas-Rhin 29
Haut-Rhin 7
Paris 4
Haute-Saône 2
Vosges 1

Fichier des personnes décédées, INSEE — Licence Ouverte 2.0 · deaths recorded in France since 1970, by place of birth.

In Switzerland’s population statistics

41 people named Penner live in Switzerland.

They live in 6 of Switzerland’s 26 cantons, most of all in Zurich.

Too few records to say where it concentrates region by region — these are plain counts, not shares.

Where they live today

Zurich 17
Bern 6
Lucerne 6
St. Gallen 5
Thurgau 4
Schaffhausen 3

Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO), «Surnames of the permanent resident population by canton», 2025, opendata.swiss/en/dataset/nachnamen-der-standigen-wohnbevolkerung-nach-kanton3 · names with fewer than 3 bearers in a canton are not published.

In print

Penner in American newspapers,
1913–1924.

Newspaper page from The Seattle Star carrying the name Penner
The Seattle Star 1924-06-07
Newspaper page from The Pensacola Journal carrying the name Penner
The Pensacola Journal 1913-04-28
Newspaper page from The Ogden Standard carrying the name Penner
The Ogden Standard 1917-06-25

Chronicling America, Library of Congress — digitised newspapers in the public domain.

In print

Penner in Australian newspapers,
1840s–1980s.

592 articles name a Mr, Mrs or Miss Penner. The most, 165, date from the 1930s. Weighed against how much of each state’s press from the same decades has been digitised, it stands out most in South Australia, at 2.1 times its expected share.

Articles, by state

South Australia 134
Victoria 126
New South Wales 121
Queensland 90
Western Australia 68
Tasmania 45
ACT (Canberra) 3

Trove, National Library of Australia (trove.nla.gov.au) · articles in its digitised newspapers that name a Mr, Mrs or Miss Penner.

Who carried it

People named Penner,
with a public archive behind them.

  • Ken Penner
    Ken Penner 1896–1959 · baseball player
  • Joe Penner
    Joe Penner 1904–1941 · actor
  • Joe Penner
    Joe Penner 1904–1941 · actor
  • David Penner 1724–1732
  • Hermann Penner 1832–1894 · illustrator
  • Hermann Penner 1850–1894 · illustrator

Wikidata (CC0) · portraits via Wikimedia Commons, shown cropped, in the public domain or CC0 · 10 lives in all are documented under this name.

In the public record

People named Penner,
in the records of 7 countries.

Soldiers, farmers, migrants and neighbours who carried the name and left a trace in public archives. Everyone shown here died long ago or was born more than a century ago.

United States860 records

860 records of the Penner name in the United States
  • Passenger arrivals in the United States, 1820–1912 345
  • U.S. alien registration index, 1940–1955 154
  • Other U.S. records 361
  1. A United States Selective Service registration card, 1942
    Example: U.S. registration card, 1942
    Military record Russell J. Penner

    Born 1922 in Maryland. Enlisted 1943 at Baltimore; machine shop worker. U.S. Army veteran of World War II; died 1989, buried at Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery, Owings Mills, Maryland.

    U.S. National Archives, WWII Army Enlistment Records (public domain); U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Gravesite Locator (CC0)
  2. A passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, arriving at New York in 1903
    Example: passenger manifest, 1903
    Passenger record Cath Penner

    Arrived at New York in 1887 aboard the Elbe from Bremen, aged 33; farmer. From Seilenth, Russia; bound for New York.

    U.S. National Archives, Castle Garden Immigration Center Collection, Ship Passenger Records (unrestricted)
  3. A U.S. Army record of death and interment, Camp Nelson, Kentucky, 1864
    Example: U.S. burial record, 1864
    Burial record Frank William Penner

    U.S. Navy veteran of the Spanish–American War. Born 1869, died 1953; buried at Long Island National Cemetery, New York.

    U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Gravesite Locator (CC0)

Showing 3 of 860 records for Penner in the United States.

Counts: U.S. National Archives, Castle Garden Immigration Center Collection, Ship Passenger Records (unrestricted) · U.S. National Archives, Flexoline Index Data File (public domain) · NYC Department of Records & Information Services, Historical Vital Records (NYC Open Data) · U.S. National Archives, WWII Army Enlistment Records (public domain) · U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Gravesite Locator (CC0) · New York State Department of Health, Genealogical Research Death Index · Sacramento County, Historic Burials (CC BY 4.0) · U.S. National Archives, Defense Casualty Analysis System (public domain). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: U.S. Selective Service registration card, 1942 (public domain); Passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, New York, 1903 (public domain); Record of death and interment, Camp Nelson, Kentucky, 1864, U.S. National Archives (public domain).

Germany107 records

107 records of the Penner name in Germany
  • Germany's First World War casualty lists, 1914–1919 103
  • German emigration and citizenship files 4
  1. A page of the German First World War casualty lists, 18 April 1918
    Example: German casualty list, 1918
    Casualty list Wilhelm Penner

    From Hagen i. Westf. Reported wounded in the Prussian casualty list of 5 December 1917.

    Verein für Computergenealogie e.V. (2026). Deutsche Verlustlisten des Ersten Weltkriegs – Datensammlung (Version 1.0), DOI 10.5281/zenodo.18330751 (CC0)
  2. The first page of an emigration file from Gündlingen, Baden, 1883
    Example: German emigration file, 1883
    Emigration record Heinrich Penner

    Emigrated to Russia in 1835.

    Deutsche Digitale Bibliothek / Brandenburgisches Landeshauptarchiv (CC0)
  3. The first page of an emigration file from Gündlingen, Baden, 1883
    Example: German emigration file, 1883
    Emigration record Eva Penner

    Emigrated to Poland in 1822.

    Deutsche Digitale Bibliothek / Brandenburgisches Landeshauptarchiv (CC0)

Showing 3 of 107 records for Penner in Germany.

Counts: Verein für Computergenealogie e.V. (2026). Deutsche Verlustlisten des Ersten Weltkriegs – Datensammlung (Version 1.0), DOI 10.5281/zenodo.18330751 (CC0) · Deutsche Digitale Bibliothek (CC0). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Deutsche Verlustlisten, Prussian list 1116, 18 April 1918 (scan via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0); Emigration file, Gündlingen, 1883, Landesarchiv Baden-Württemberg, Staatsarchiv Freiburg B 694/1 Nr. 1389 (CC BY 4.0).

Canada106 records

106 records of the Penner name in Canada
  • City of Winnipeg cemetery records 49
  • Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver 28
  • Other Canadian records 29
  1. A passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, arriving at New York in 1903
    Example: passenger manifest, 1903
    Passenger record M.a Penner

    Came to Ontario in 1880 aboard the Peruvian, landing at Quebec, bound for Hamilton, Ontario; English.

    Archives of Ontario. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Ontario.
  2. Fairview Lawn Cemetery in Halifax, Nova Scotia
    Example: Canadian cemetery
    Burial record Ada Penner

    Died 2000, aged 87; buried at Brookside Cemetery, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

    City of Winnipeg. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Winnipeg.
  3. A Canadian First World War grave register card for a soldier who died of wounds in 1917
    Example: Canadian war grave register, 1917
    War record Frank Penner

    Died in service in 1944.

    Veterans Affairs Canada. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence - Canada.

Showing 3 of 106 records for Penner in Canada.

Counts: City of Winnipeg. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Winnipeg. · City of Vancouver. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Vancouver. · City of Calgary. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – City of Calgary. · Veterans Affairs Canada. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence - Canada. · City of Niagara Falls. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Niagara Falls. · Contains information provided by the City of Waterloo under licence · Archives of Ontario. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Ontario. Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, New York, 1903 (public domain); Fairview Lawn Cemetery, Halifax, photo by Edgar El (CC BY 3.0); Canadian First World War circumstances-of-death register (scan by Scottgraham87 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0).

Netherlands98 records

98 records of the Penner name in the Netherlands
  • Dutch population registers 63
  • Dutch civil registers (births, marriages, deaths) 25
  • Dutch church registers before 1811 10
  1. A marriage entry in the civil register of Tilburg, 1911
    Example: marriage register, 1911
    Marriage record Hermania Penner

    Born 1867 in Leeuwarden. Married in 1893 in Amsterdam.

    Open Archives, AlleFriezen (CC BY 4.0); Open Archives, Noord-Hollands Archief (CC BY 4.0)
  2. A page of the Berlin civil register, 1880
    Example: civil register, 1880
    Death record Maria Penner

    Born 1864 in Leeuwarden. Died 1940 in Dordrecht, aged 76.

    Open Archives, AlleFriezen (CC BY 4.0); Open Archives, Regionaal Archief Rivierenland (CC BY 4.0)
  3. A marriage entry in the civil register of Tilburg, 1911
    Example: marriage register, 1911
    Marriage record Antonius Hubertus Penner

    Married in 1939 in Amsterdam; "walbaas".

    Open Archives, Noord-Hollands Archief (CC BY 4.0)

Showing 3 of 98 records for Penner in the Netherlands.

Counts: Open Archives (CC BY 4.0). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Marriage register, Tilburg, 1911, Regionaal Archief Tilburg (public domain); Civil register, Berlin, 1880, Landesarchiv Berlin (CC0).

France29 records

29 records of the Penner name in France France's national death register, 1970–2001
  1. A page of the death register of Nice, 1930
    Example: French death register, 1930
    Death record Simone Ursule Penner

    Born 1947 in Strasbourg; died 1986 in Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin).

    Insee, Fichier des personnes décédées (Licence Ouverte)
  2. A page of the death register of Nice, 1930
    Example: French death register, 1930
    Death record Auguste Jules Penner

    Born 1927 in Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin); died 1975 in Mulhouse (Haut-Rhin).

    Insee, Fichier des personnes décédées (Licence Ouverte)
  3. A page of the death register of Nice, 1930
    Example: French death register, 1930
    Death record Emilie Penner

    Born 1894 in Saverne (Bas-Rhin); died 1983 in Metz (Moselle).

    Insee, Fichier des personnes décédées (Licence Ouverte)

Showing 3 of 29 records for Penner in France.

Counts: Insee, Fichier des personnes décédées (Licence Ouverte). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Death register of Nice, 1930, Archives départementales des Alpes-Maritimes (public domain).

Australia25 records

25 records of the Penner name in Australia
  • Victoria wills and probate, deaths to 2001 8
  • Victoria passenger lists, 1839–1923 6
  • Other Australian records 11
  1. A passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, arriving at New York in 1903
    Example: passenger manifest, 1903
    Passenger record Heinrich Penner

    Arrived in Queensland in 1877 aboard the Lammershagen, aged 16.

    Queensland State Archives (CC BY 4.0)
  2. A petition to the probate court of St. Louis, 1848
    Example: probate petition, 1848
    Probate record Victor E. Penner

    Waiter of Fitzroy, Victoria; died 1940.

    Public Record Office Victoria (CC BY 4.0)
  3. A page of the Berlin civil register, 1880
    Example: civil register, 1880
    Death record George W. Penner

    Of South Brisbane, New South Wales; died 1919.

    Museums of History NSW – State Archives Collection (CC BY)

Showing 3 of 25 records for Penner in Australia.

Counts: Public Record Office Victoria (CC BY 4.0) · Libraries Tasmania, Tasmanian Names Index (CC BY 4.0) · Queensland State Archives (CC BY 4.0) · Museums of History NSW – State Archives Collection (CC BY). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, New York, 1903 (public domain); Petition to the probate court, St. Louis, 1848, Missouri Historical Society (public domain); Civil register, Berlin, 1880, Landesarchiv Berlin (CC0).

United Kingdom1 record

1 record of the Penner name in the United Kingdom St James's burial ground, Euston (London), 1789–1853
  1. A page of the burial register of Newtown, Wales, 1858
    Example: burial register, 1858
    Burial record Ann Penner

    Buried in 1809 at St James's burial ground, Euston, London, aged 70.

    MOLA and HS2, St James's burial ground data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Counts: MOLA and HS2, St James's burial ground data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Burial register of Newtown, Montgomeryshire, 1858, National Library of Wales (CC0).

Nearby in the index

Surnames next to Penner.

When the index is not enough

This page says where Penner is.
A volume says what happened to it.

Every page in the index is free and stays free. The Heritage Volume is the long form: the full paper trail, the arms, the crossing — bound, and yours.

See the Penner volume
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