Edinger

Edinger is a surname of German origin. It is generally understood to be a habitational name, derived from place names such as Endingen or Edingen in German-speaking regions, indicating that bearers or their ancestors originated from such locations. The surname is found in Germany, Austria, and among descendants in the Americas and elsewhere.

Notable people with the surname include Paul Edinger, an American football kicker who played in the NFL in the early 2000s. Beyond this, individuals with the surname have contributed to a variety of fields, including science, culture, and business, though not all have achieved broad public recognition.

In science, the name Edinger appears in the Edinger-Westphal nucleus, a midbrain structure associated with the parasympathetic control of pupil size and lens accommodation. The nucleus is located in the rostral midbrain and is part of the oculomotor nerve complex; it is named for Edinger and Westphal, the physicians who described it.

Geographic and institutional uses of the name exist as well, including streets and facilities named in honor of people bearing the surname. Like many Germanic surnames, the distribution and usage of Edinger reflect historical migration patterns and regional naming practices.