Surname Härtkorn - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Härtkorn: What does the surname Härtkorn mean?
The last name Härtkorn is of German and/or Dutch origin. It derives from the German word 'Hart', meaning 'hard' or 'solid', and 'Korn', meaning 'grain'. Thus, the surname translates as 'hard grain', likely in reference to a gritty type of grain, such as rye or wheat.
The name is likely an occupational name referring to someone who handled and/or processed such grain. The name may have been first used for someone who traded in grain, a miller, or a farmer who grew grain and sold it as a commodity.
The name Härtkorn may also have been used as a nickname for someone who had a bold or stalwart character or was a hard worker.
The surname Härtkorn is found all throughout Europe, including Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, and even North America. Variations may have arisen over time, such as Hartkorn, Hardkorn, Hartcorn, and De Hartkorn. Today, the name is most common throughout Germany.
Here, the name is most often found in areas in the northwest of the country, such as the Lower Rhine and Westphalia regions. Härtkorn is also popular in the Dutch-speaking region of the southern Netherlands, particularly the provinces of Limburg and Zuid-Holland.
Thus, the last name Härtkorn likely refers to a person in an occupation related to the processing of grain, someone with an impressive character, or both.
Order DNA origin analysisHärtkorn: Where does the name Härtkorn come from?
The last name Härtkorn is common mostly in German-speaking countries. In Germany, the surname is found in various regions, but is particularly common in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Hesse. It is also widely found in Austria, as well as Switzerland, where it is most commonly located in the Canton of Zurich. Most bearers of this name will likely have their roots in the regions near the Swiss and German borders, where the language is German, or in East Prussia or other areas of what was once Prussia.
The name Härtkorn appears most frequently in older documents, with the earliest record that of Henricus Hartkorn, recorded in 1497 in the city of Magdenburg. Since then, there have been numerous mentions of the name, with similar spelling variations such as Hartcorn and Hartecorn.
Today, the last name is still in use and is more popular than ever. It is also not uncommon to find people with the first name Hartkorn. As well as being common in Europe, the name can also be found in other parts of the world, such as the United States and Canada, where it often appears with alternate spellings.
Variations of the surname Härtkorn
The surname Härtkorn has a number of variant spellings and surnames of the same origin. Variations of the surname that stem from a West or Central German phonetically-based origin include Härtig, Härdig, Härtker, Härtigk, Herzig, as well as some slight spelling-based variations such as Harteg, Hartken, Hartkin, Hartmann, as well as "Hördkorn," which is derived from the Low German spelling.
Variations of the East German phonetically-based origin of the surname Härtkorn include Hartkopf, Hartigen, Harkop, Hartschke, Hardtke, Hardekopf, Hordtke, Hörtwick, and Hartwick.
Variations and spellings of other regions include Härtke, Härtcher, Härtchen, Hartekamp, Hartsein, as well as "Heerdegen," "Hertekampf," "Herthenn," and "Hertke," which is derived from the Dutch spelling.
Given the extensive variety of spellings of Härtkorn, most variants and surnames of a similar origin can be derived from at least one of the above categories, although it is still possible that there could be more variants or surnames of the same origin which have not been mentioned.
Famous people with the name Härtkorn
- Caroline Härtkorn: German model and influencer
- Karin Härtkorn: German theater, film and TV actress
- Harald Härtkorn: German professor of biotechnology
- Matthias Härtkorn: German politician and journalist for Die Welt
- Kurt Härtkorn: German physician and former Olympic athlete
- Michael Härtkorn: German actor
- Matthias Härtkorn: German conductor and orchestra leader
- Peter Härtkorn: German musician, composer, and producer
- Claus Härtkorn: German entrepreneur
- Klaus Härtkorn: Former West German high jumper and Olympic champion