Surname Hanig - Meaning and Origin
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Hanig: What does the surname Hanig mean?
The last name Hanig is an English patronymic surname derived from the given name Hankin, which itself is derived from the Norse given name Haeng. Haeng was derived from the Old Norse elements “há” meaning high and “-ingr” meaning the people of. This could imply that the original bearer of the name was a person of high social status, either through birth or through accomplishment.
The surname Hanig is fairly rare throughout the English speaking countries, though it does have some presence in the United States, especially in the Midwest. Research has traced the earliest documented bearer of the name to the Trewythen family of Radnorshire, Wales. The Hanig family were minor landed gentry in Radnorshire during the late 17th century.
Although the name Hanig is not one of the most common surnames, it does have its place in history. In 1950 the Hanig family of Wales established the Hanig Lecture Series, a biennial collection of lectures that discuss the philosophy of the Hanig family. This series has gone on to become an important part of Welsh cultural heritage.
Overall, the surname Hanig is a very distinct and unique name that is steeped in history and tradition. The name still exists today in relatively small numbers across the English speaking world, especially in the US. A prominent name with a rich history, it is sure to remain a memorable one.
Order DNA origin analysisHanig: Where does the name Hanig come from?
Hanig is a German surname, and today it is most common in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. It was also carried over to some other countries by German immigrants.
In Germany, the most densely populated Hanig regions are located around the cities of Frankfurt am Main and Hanover, and along the banks of the rivers Neckar and Main in the southwestern region of Baden-Württemberg. Hanig is also a fairly common name in the western part of Bavaria and in some areas of the former East Germany. The same holds true for Austria and Switzerland, where it is most prevalent in the rural Alpine regions.
The name is believed to have originated in northern Germany and may have first appeared in the area of Lübeck (now part of the state of Schleswig-Holstein). In the early days of the Hanseatic League, Hanigs from other parts of Germany may have established there.
It is also possible to find Hanig households in South Africa, the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, and other countries. The name is thought to have traveled with German immigrants to those locations.
In spite of its prevalence in various countries around the world, Hanig continues to be a powerful representation of German ancestry and culture.
Variations of the surname Hanig
The surname Hanig is an uncommon surname found primarily in the U.S. and Canada. It is derived from the German name ‘Hannig’ or ‘Hanning’, which in turn comes from the given name Johannes (broadly, ‘John’). It is pronounced ‘HAN-ig’ and can be spelled in several variations, including Hannig, Haning, Hannick, Hanik, Hannicke, Hanigk, Hennig, Hennige, Hinig, Hennecke, Hauenig, Hanigke, Hanick and Hanig.
Many of these variants are found in multiple countries; for example, the variant Hauenig is seen in Germany, Austria, and also scattered throughout the U.S. In Germany, the variant Hanig(k) is more common, and Hennig is also seen there. In the U.S., Hennige is more common, but all of these variants are seen, often in the same family.
In addition to the surnames mentioned above, there are two other variants worth mentioning. The variant Handig or Handel is most common in Austria, and Hänig is seen in Switzerland. All of these surnames are variations of one another, and most likely can be traced back to the original Hans or Johann surnames.
Overall, variants of the surname Hanig can be found in quite a few countries, including the U.S., Canada, Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Whether one adds an 'e', a 'k', or an 'l', they are all believed to have had the same origin – the original given name Johann.
Famous people with the name Hanig
- Peter Hanig: American entrepreneur and philanthropist
- Mollie Hanig: American actress
- Zach Hanig: Professional American Soccer player
- Jody Hanig: American painter, fine artist
- Mike Hanig: American Pathologist and CEO of Laboratory Services
- Rachel Andersen Hanig: Co-founder of creative agency For All
- Matilda McDowell Hanig: Princess of Monaco
- Annie Hanig: British TV presenter
- Chris Hanig: American screenwriter
- Mario Hanig: German professional tennis player