History of your Surname
Get access to Meissner family records.Start a free trial

Meissner Family History

Meissner Name Meaning

German and Jewish (Ashkenazic): habitational name for someone from Meissen in Germany earlier (968 AD) recorded as Misna Misina named for the small river Misna (today Meisabach) whose name is very ancient probably pre-Slavic. The place was famous in the Middle Ages for the fine linen cloth produced there and the German surname may also be an occupational name for a manufacturer or seller of such wares.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: Reisner, Messner, Messer, Weisser, Essner, Eisner, Meister, Meisner

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Black & white image of a young woman scientist

Where is the Meissner family from?

You can see how Meissner families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Meissner family name was found in the USA, and the UK between 1840 and 1920. The most Meissner families were found in USA in 1920. In 1840 there was 1 Meissner family living in New York. This was about 50% of all the recorded Meissner's in USA. New York and 1 other state had the highest population of Meissner families in 1840.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Meissner surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Meissner ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Housewife were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Meissner. 14% of Meissner men worked as a Farmer and 11% of Meissner women worked as a Housewife. Some less common occupations for Americans named Meissner were Proprietor and Housekeeper. .

View Census Data for Meissner | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Farmer
    14%
  • Laborer
    12%
  • Salesman
    7%
  • Proprietor
    4%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Housewife
    11%
  • Stenographer
    11%
  • Clerk
    10%
  • Housekeeper
    7%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Meissner family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 13,000 census records available for the last name Meissner. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Meissner census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search US census records for Meissner

Passenger Lists

There are 9,000 immigration records available for the last name Meissner. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the USA, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Meissner immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 15,000 military records available for the last name Meissner. For the veterans among your Meissner ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Meissner military records

You've only scratched the surface of Meissner family history

Discover More

What is the average Meissner lifespan?

Between 1947 and 2004, in the United States, Meissner life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1949, and highest in 1993. The average life expectancy for Meissner in 1947 was 48, and 80 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Meissner

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Meissner family tree

Explore Your Tree

Browse profiles of historical people with the Meissner last name

Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial