Penner is a surname with multiple possible origins, primarily English and German. As an English surname, Penner derives from the Old English word penn, meaning an enclosure or pen, and typically served as an occupational name for someone who looked after penned animals, such as a shepherd or a keeper of livestock. This connection links it to the name Penn 2, of which Penner is considered a variant. In German, the surname Penner has a different etymology: it comes from pennen (to sleep) combined with the agent suffix -er, literally meaning "sleeper." Colloquially, it acquired a derogatory sense akin to "bum" or "homeless person." Despite this negative connotation, Penner remains a notable surname in German-speaking countries. The distribution of the surname Penner is notably found in North America, brought by both English and German settlers. It may also have Ashkenazi Jewish roots, where it can be an Anglicization of similar-sounding surnames. Notable bearers of the surname include: Franz Penner (Canadian musician), Jonathan Penner (American actor and film producer), and Nathan Penner (Canadian ice hockey player). The name is also associated with various businesses, such as the Penner Foundation in Canada. Etymology The English Penner appears as metathesized "operator of a pen," recorded in the 1300s. The German Penner emerged later as a nickname for vagrants. Meaning: Variant of Penn 2 (occupational name for animal keeper; German: sleeper, bum) Origin: English and German Type: Occupational nickname / sarcastic derogative Usage regions: English-speaking countries (especially Canada, USA, UK); German-speaking Europe