Kerner is an
occupational surname of German and Jewish (
Ashkenazic) origin. There are various possible derivations, including as a name for a farmer or a
nickname for a small person, from a
Middle High German ''kerne'' ("kernel seed pip");
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ger ...
''Kern'' or
Yiddish
Yiddish (, or , ''yidish'' or ''idish'', , ; , ''Yidish-Taytsh'', ) is a West Germanic language historically spoken by Ashkenazi Jews. It originated during the 9th century in Central Europe, providing the nascent Ashkenazi community with a ver ...
''kern'' (''grain''), among others.
Middle English ''kerner'' is a variant of ''cherner'' ("churner; one who churns butter"). It may also derive from "carter" or "carrier", from the German word ''kerenere''. The name was found in
Bavaria, Germany, in the medieval period.
People with the surname include:
Literature
*
Charlotte Kerner (born 1950), biographer and science-fiction writer
*
Elizabeth Kerner (born 1958), fantasy author
*
Justinus Kerner (1786–1862), a German lyric poet of the Swabian school
Politics
*
Johann Georg Kerner
Johann Georg Kerner (9 April 1770 - 7 April 1812) was a physician and a political journalist who became a critical chronicler of the French revolution.
Life Provenance and kinships
(Johann) Georg Kerner was the elder brother of the poet-write ...
(1770–1812), political journalist, critical chronicler of the French revolution, brother of Justinus Kerner
*
Otto Kerner, Jr.
Otto Kerner Jr. (August 15, 1908 – May 9, 1976) was an American jurist and politician who served as the 33rd governor of Illinois from 1961 to 1968 and a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circui ...
(1908–1976), Illinois Governor and judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
*
Otto Kerner, Sr.
Otto Kerner (February 22, 1884 – December 13, 1952) was the attorney general of Illinois and a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. He was a member of the Democratic Party.
Education and c ...
(1884–1952), an Illinois Attorney General and judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Entertainment and media
*
Debby Kerner
Debby Kerner & Ernie Rettino are American musicians best known as the creators of the characters from the Psalty the Singing Songbook in the Kids' Praise! series of Christian children's musical albums. Together, they have also created Solomon the ...
, American singer
*
Nena (Gabriele Susanne Kerner; born 1960), German singer who became famous with the New German Wave songs "Nur geträumt" and "99 Luftballons"
*
Jordan Kerner, film producer
*
Johannes B. Kerner, (born 1964), German television broadcaster
Sports
*
Jonathan Kerner
Jonathan Kerner (born June 6, 1974) is an American former professional basketball player. After graduating from St. Pius X Catholic High School, the 6'11" center attended East Carolina University and Florida State University. He played one game ...
(born 1974), American basketball player
*
Marlon Kerner
Marlon Lavalle Kerner (born March 18, 1973) is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the 1995 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State
...
(born 1973), American football player
Science and mathematics
*
Boris Kerner, (born 1947), German physicist
*
Anton Kerner von Marilaun (1831–1898), Austrian botanist
Other fields
*
Ian Kerner
Ian Kerner is a sex counselor and practitioner of psychotherapy. He specializes in sex therapy, couples therapy and working with individuals on a range of relationship issues.
Career
Ian is a licensed psychotherapist and widely recognized sex ...
, American sex counselor
References
{{surname
Occupational surnames
Surnames of Bavarian origin
Ashkenazi surnames