Hefner
A German surname most likely meaning “potter,” originally from a craft name.
The #4,391 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 38,117 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Hefner is generally explained as a German occupational surname from an older word for a potter. It is closely related to the better-known form Hafner, which also means a maker of earthenware or pottery. The spelling with <ef> reflects regional pronunciation and later surname variation rather than a different root.
History
The name is found especially in German-speaking communities and among German-American families, including Pennsylvania German surnames. Historical sources often treat Hefner as a variant of Hafner, showing how craft surnames could shift in spelling after migration and over time. In the United States it has remained an uncommon but established surname.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
In older surname studies, Hefner is often listed right alongside Hafner because both point back to the same traditional pottery trade.
From the historical record
“rier), Geiger (violin-player), Gesell (apprentice), Glassner (glazier), Glasbrenner (glass-blower), Glbckner (bell-ringer), Grdber (digger), Hafner, Hefner (potter), Heilmann (doctor), Herr (master), Herter (herdsman), Hertzog (duke), Hnfnagel 312 Studies in Pennsylvania German Family Names.”
— Studies in Pennsylvania German Family Names