Surname Hänfling - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Hänfling: What does the surname Hänfling mean?
The last name Hänfling is thought to have originated in Germany and was first recorded in the early 1600s. The name is derived from the German phrase "Hänflinge", which means "small birds". The suffix "linge" would indicate the name was one of endearment given to a person that was likened to a small bird, likely because of its lightness and swiftness.
Hänfling is a common last name in German speaking countries. Records indicate that the Hänfling family migrated to Prussia and Schleswig-Holstein in the 1800s, but not much is known about them aside from these sparse accounts.
The name is quite unique and has gone through several variations over the years. One popular variation is "Hanflinger", which is commonly seen among American citizens of German descent. Another variation is "Hanflein", which describes someone with curly, blond hair. It can also appear in the form of "Hänflein," which has a similar translation as "Hanflein".
There is speculation that the name may also have its roots in the old Dutch language, in which "han" or "hand" means “gift”. People bearing the name may have been seen as gifts from God.
Overall, the name Hänfling is not particularly common but it does carry a certain charm for those with Germanic roots. It is a reminder of a strong heritage and a reminder of the beauty of small birds.
Order DNA origin analysisHänfling: Where does the name Hänfling come from?
The last name Hänfling is believed to be derived from the Germanic personal name ‘Hagano’ or ‘Hageno’ and is most commonly found in Germany today. It is found more frequently in certain regions, such as Northern Germany and Bavaria. There have also been some cases of the name popping up in Switzerland and Austria.
Outside of Europe, many people have moved to other parts of the world and as such, the name Hänfling is also found in countries like Canada, Brazil, Argentina and Chile. However, this is less common than within Europe as fewer numbers of Hänflings have settled outside Europe.
Within Europe, some people with the surname Hänfling are often of a noble background, tracing their ancestry back to various noble families from central Europe. These families often date back to the Middle Ages and can originate from both Bavaria and Brandenburg, as well as some other surrounding areas.
Today, the name Hänfling is a fairly uncommon name and is not widely known outside of Germany. Despite this, many people who bear the name are proud of their ancestry and still remember the history of their family name.
Variations of the surname Hänfling
The surname Hänfling has a few variants, spellings and associated surnames of the same origin.
The most common variant spelling of the surname Hänfling is Hanfling. This spelling is used both in Germany and the United States of America. Other variants of the surname include: Hennfling, Hanffling, Hanfle, Hanf, Hanfl and Hanflein.
The surname is derived from the German word hanf which means hemp. At some point in history, likely in the Middle Ages, the Hänfling family likely adopted their surname after hemp was farmed on their lands.
The surname Hänfling also has associated surnames of the same origin which include Kämpfling, Bettsting, Hanffinger, Hanflinger, Jamfling, Kämpffling, Kempffling and Zängfleisch.
The surname Hänfling is still in use today in Germany and across the United States of America. It is likely that many of the associated surnames are also still in use in both countries.
Famous people with the name Hänfling
- Emmanuel Hänfling, German footballer
- Carla Hänfling-Puts, Dutch human rights activist
- Johannes Hänfling, German philosopher
- Hans-Heinrich Hänfling, German journalist and author
- Susanne Hänfling, Swiss equestrian showjumper
- Guy Hänfling, French rugby union player
- Albert Hänfling, German scientist
- Jürgen Hänfling, German scientist
- Gert Hänfling, German and Austrian expressionist painter
- Dietrich Hänfling, German classical pianist
- Niki Hänfling, Austrian contemporary painter
- Stephan Hänfling, Swiss historian
- Katharina Hänfling, German photographer
- Michael Hänfling, German sports physiotherapist
- Guido Hänfling, German entrepreneur