Surname Haberlein - Meaning and Origin

Haberlein: What does the surname Haberlein mean?

The last name Haberlein is of German origin and means “small hare” or “little rabbit." Quintessentially, Haberlein is an occupational surname, which is derived from the Middle High German word "haper," meaning hare, and the word "lein," meaning little.

The name likely originated with individuals who were involved in hunting or trapping of hares. In certain regions, hares were a common source of food and skins for clothing as well as pelts and fur for trading. The surname is also thought to be derived from followers of the Habsburgs, which was a dynasty that once occupied the Holy Roman Empire.

Given the surname's unique origin, it is not surprising that it is fairly uncommon in its current form. The earliest records of the surname date back to the early 16th century when individuals with the name appeared in several medieval European records in Germany, Austria, and other Central European regions.

Today, Haberlein is still mainly found in Central Europe. There are also a handful of individuals with the name in the United States, though it is definitely rare. In addition to the variant Haberlein, other common variations of the name include Haberl, Haberle, Haberlin, Haberling, and Hopperlin.

Haberlein: Where does the name Haberlein come from?

The last name Haberlein is common today primarily in Germany and other German-speaking countries like Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. It is also found in a few other places with large numbers of German immigrants, particularly in the United States (where it is usually spelled Hablein or Haberline), Canada, Brazil, and Argentina. The Haberlein name is believed to originate from a combination of the German words “haber” (oat) and “lein” (small), suggesting it may have originally been a nickname for someone who grew or sold oats. Haberlein is most common in Bavaria, which is located in the south east of Germany and borders Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. Haberlein is also found in regions with strong German influence such as Thuringia, Brandenburg, and Saxony. The Haberlein name has been around since at least the 12th century and is still found in use in Germany today.

Variations of the surname Haberlein

Haberlein is a German surname originally derived from a nickname meaning "little hare". It is derived from the Middle High German word "hāberekin", a diminutive form of “hāre” (hare). Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Haberle, Haberl, Haberling, Haberlau, Haberli, Haberlin, Haberling, Haberlon, Haeberlein, Haebrelein, Haberkorn, Habirlein, Habermeyer, Habereiter, Habermehl, Habersack, and Hafferlin.

Haberkorn is a variation that emerged as a surname in Germany during the 17th century. This variant was likely derived from the Middle High German words for hare (hāre) and cone (korn). The combination suggests the idea of “cone-shaped hare”. This has also been seen as a nickname for a person with a tall, slender stature.

Habirlein is a western German variation and is derived from the words for hare (hāre) and small (bernlein). This suggests the meaning of "small hare" and is likely another nickname for a person of shorter stature.

Habereiter is a variation found mainly in the Rhineland region of Germany and is derived from the Middle High German words hare (hāre) and rider (rīter). This likely again refers to a tall, slender stature, similar to that of a hare.

Habersack is a surname derived from the Middle High German words "hāre" (hare) and "sacc" (bag or sack). It is speculated to have referred to a person with large cheeks of thin skin.

Hafferlin is the rarest variation of the Haberlein surname. Derived from the Middle High German words for hare (hāre) and furrow (ferlin), the literal meaning of this surname is "furrow of a hare". It likely originated as a nickname for a person with wavy and/or curly hair.

Overall, Haberlein has a wide range of variants and surnames stemming from the Middle High German word, which likely refer to descriptions of a person’s physical appearance or stature.

Famous people with the name Haberlein

• Johann Wilhelm Haberlein (1628-1707): German lutenist and composer.
• Johann Daniel Haberlein (1725–1796): German lutenist and composer.
• Julius Haberlein (1805-1886): German Protestant theologian and philosopher.
• Emmy Haberlein (1900-1985): German physician and politician.
• Richard Haberlein (born 1945): German physicist and professor.
• Stan Haberlein (born 1982): American football player.
• Chantal Haberlein (born 1985): Austrian ski jumper.
• Lutz Haberlein (born 1951): German neurologist and professor.
• Marco Haberlein (born 1979): German racecar driver.
• Herta Haberlein (1912-1988): Austrian Auschwitz survivor.

Other surnames

HaberleHäberle