Surname Handwerg - Meaning and Origin
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Handwerg: What does the surname Handwerg mean?
The last name Handwerg is a German-language occupational surname, which means “handworker”, “craftsman”, or "artisan". This surname is derived from the Middle High German language, and is originally a combination of the words “Werk” or “werken” meaning “work”, and “Hart” or “Hand” meaning “hand”. This last name typically refers to someone who earned their livelihood through manual labor, such as a blacksmith, miller, tailor, or woodworker.
This skilled handwork was an important source of goods and services necessary for day-to-day living. Handworkers would have been a valued resource in most communities, and an economically secure group. As such, this surname is likely to have been found throughout Europe, as the craftsmanship-manual labor professions migrated with individuals from one area to another.
The early history of the Handwerg surname can be traced to Austria, dating as far back as the 14th century. The Handwerg surname is still found in present day Austria, as well as Germany, Switzerland, and some areas in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. This surname is typically found among people of Germanic descent, but it is not limited to that cultural group.
The Handwerg surname is still in use today, and its original meaning still holds true - it usually refers to someone with a skilled handcraft or artistry. The talents and labor of these hand workers were valued and treasured in the past, and they remain an important economic resource in present day societies.
Order DNA origin analysisHandwerg: Where does the name Handwerg come from?
The last name Handwerg is most commonly found in Germany today. It is thought to be of German origin derived from the Old High German word "heintoerg” which means “hand worker”. In Germany today, it is not especially common but still appears and is recognized.
In the United States, it is a relatively uncommon name but still appears in various Midwestern states. Handwerg is found sporadically throughout the Midwest. The largest concentrations are typically found in Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Kansas, although some occurrences have also been recorded in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Missouri.
The frequency of the Handwerg surname is quite low throughout most countries in the world. It is not common to find it overseas other than in Germany. That does not mean it is not represented elsewhere; it has also been found in a handful of other countries in Europe including Belgium, The Netherlands, Poland, and Austria.
In Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, Handwerg is rarely found. While there are some instances of the name, it is not widely represented in all three countries.
Overall, Handwerg is a somewhat uncommon name but still appears with relative frequency in certain areas today, primarily Germany and the Midwest United States.
Variations of the surname Handwerg
The surname Handwerg has multiple variants and spellings that stem from its German origin. It first appears in history in the 1600s when Johann Adam Handwerg was born in Cologne.
Alternative spelling variants include Handweege, Handwaerge, Handvverg and Handwerck. All of these spellings are phonetic based off the original surname Handwerg.
Two related surnames originated from the Handwerg spelling: Handweerger and Handwarger. Handweerger is derived from a Dutch spelling of the name, while Handwarger is derived from the Bavarian spelling.
The United States Census Bureau has recorded multiple variants of the surname Handwerg. In 1850, Handwerg was recorded 166 times and Handwerger 5 times. Variants appearing in later records include Handveech (1850), Hanwager (1860), Handweege (1870), and Handowerg (1880).
Though these surnames have slightly different phonetical spellings, they share the same German origin and can be traced back to the same initial Handwerg family.
Famous people with the name Handwerg
- Arthur Handwerg: German politician.
- August Handwerg: German chemical engineer and entrepreneur.
- Dave Handwerg: American guitarist and composer.
- Dean Handwerg: American politician and former mayor of Chippewa Falls.
- Georg Handwerg: German geographer who specialized in cartography.
- Gustav Handwerg: German model builder and director of St. Petersburgs Skorostbahn.
- Herman Handwerg: German zoologist.
- Ilse Handwerg: German historian and author specializing in the history of science.
- Jürgen Handwerg: German zoologist and ethologist.
- Martin Handwerg: German sculptor.
- Rosine Handwerg: German painter and educator.
- Stephan Handwerg: German art historian and curator.
- Theodor Handwerg: German physician and botanist who wrote a study of pollination.