Surname Hänßchen - Meaning and Origin
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Hänßchen: What does the surname Hänßchen mean?
The last name Hänßchen is an old Germanic name, which meant, "little hen". It is believed to have originated in what is now Germany, and be derived from the Low German word, "hänse", meaning a small or delicate bird.
The surname is not particularly common, but was used frequently in a region around the Rhineland in Germany. It is likely that the name was taken on by people living in that area due to the reference to poultry, a staple of their diet. The name was also apparently adopted by Germans after the Middle Ages, when birds were used as messengers by princes.
Although it is not known for certain, it is possible that the original bearers of the name had a family history of involvement in poultry farming or butchering. However, the exact meaning of the name can only be speculated upon.
The surname also appears to be kept alive in families where it originated, but is rare in other parts of the world. It is a name that is the perfect example of how Germanic surnames can be quite simply derived from the meaning of a word, although any concrete details are now lost in time.
Order DNA origin analysisHänßchen: Where does the name Hänßchen come from?
The surname Hänßchen is still commonly found in Germany today. Most commonly, it is found in the East German states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia. It is believed to have its origin in the 9th Century, when Charlemagne brought German settlers to this area to repopulate it. The name appears to have been derived from the personal name Heinz, which can be traced back to the 8th Century.
Throughout German history, Hänßchen has been used as a diminutive of Heinz and a number of other names. It is likely that, as with many German surnames, the original meaning of Hänßchen has been lost over the centuries as its widespread use as a nickname stayed constant.
In modern times, this surname is most often found in the eastern regions of Germany, with the highest concentration being in the states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. It is also quite common in the related regions of Bavaria and Brandenburg. There is, however, also a small, but notable, scattering of Hänßchen settings in other parts of Germany, as well as in Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. This is reflective of the surname’s history as a result of migration, cross-border marriages, and international business connections.
Modern-day bearers of this surname range from teachers, lawyers, professionals, farmers, bakers, and more. Despite its longstanding, centuries old use, the surname Hänßchen is still common in German-speaking countries today.
Variations of the surname Hänßchen
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Hänßchen include Handke, Handschen, Hantes, Hanechen, Hands, Händschen, Handschel, Handschuh, Handshuh, Hankes, Handkel, Handsche, Handschild, Handshild, Hankele, Hannschell, Hendricks, Henschel, Henschl, Hentschel, Hentschell, Henttsch, Henschke, Henscheele, Hensschill, Henschl, and Henschlein.
These variations of the surname are found mainly in Germany. The surname has its origins in a nickname derived from an old Germanic personal name, Handiat which means generous and brave. This is why its variants include the words "hand" or "hans," which mean generous or brave.
The surname could also be traced back to certain occupations that were commonly associated with the name. For example, people with the surnames Handshuh, Hands, and Handschuh may refer to those who manufactured gloves, while people with the surname Handschel may have been merchants.
In addition to its German origins, Hänßchen has also spread to other countries. Today, variations of the surname are found in Sweden, Austria, and Poland as well. No matter where it is found, the surname still retains its original meaning of being generous and brave.
Famous people with the name Hänßchen
- Wolfgang Hänßchen (1922–2010), German actor and Singer
- Rudolf Hänßchen (1894–1950), German politician
- Manfred Hänßchen (born 1952), German actor
- Hans Hänßchen (born 1902), German actor
- Heino Hänßchen (born 1957), German singer
- Heinz Georg Hänßchen (born 1908), German actor
- Elly Hänßchen (born 1902), German actor
- Walter Hänßchen (born 1932), German actor
- Berthold Hänßchen (born 1916), German actor
- Ernan Hänßchen (1902–1956), German actor