Lerner is a German surname, a variant of Larner. Originating from southern Germany, it may be either a habitational name for someone from Lern, near the Bavarian town of Freising, or a nickname from Middle High German lerner, meaning "pupil" or "schoolboy". It can also be a Ashkenazic Jewish occupational name, from Yiddish lerner, meaning "Talmudic student or scholar". In England, the name is recorded from the 13th century, first found in London where they held a family seat as lords of the manor. Variations include Delawny, Delauney, De Laune, De Lune, Delaune, Delorney, and others.