Surname Heidorn - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Heidorn: What does the surname Heidorn mean?
The last name Heidorn is of German origin. It is derived from the German term “heid” meaning “high” and “orn” meaning “chief”, “chiefly”, or “in charge of”. The surname, therefore, literally means “High Chief” or “Highly Esteemed”, referring to someone who held a prominent position within their community.
The Heidorn surname can also be found in several other countries, including Slovakia and the Czech Republic, where it is also relatively common. In these countries, the meaning is similar to the German one, as “heid” is also an old Polish, Slovakian, and Czech term for “chief”. Additionally, in the Netherlands, “heid” is also an old Dutch term for “wood”, so the name is believed to have originally been a topographic name referring to a location in the woods.
The Heidorn surname has several variations, including Heidorn, Heydorn, Heydor, and Heider. A bearer of the name is likely to have been an individual of some importance or influence in their community, as the name implies nobility. As the Heidorn surname was derived from an old Germanic term, it has certainly been around for centuries, though it is still relatively common today.
Order DNA origin analysisHeidorn: Where does the name Heidorn come from?
The last name Heidorn is a relatively rare surname, with the most significant concentrations of the name found in Germany. Today, the name is primarily found in central and western Germany including northwest Bavaria, Rhineland–Palatinate, and Hesse, as well as in Denmark, Sweden, and the United States.
In terms of the US, some cities where Heidorn is fairly common include York (Pennsylvania), Bend (Oregon), Lansing (Michigan), Annapolis (Maryland), and Carlsbad (New Mexico). A search for the name on the US Census Bureau website shows that Heidorns are also spread out across the US in smaller numbers, living all across the country from California to New York.
Generally, Heidorn is a fairly uncommon last name, with only about 320 Americans listed with the name in 2019. However, while the name much rarer than some more common names, it is still found in many countries around the world, including the US, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden.
Variations of the surname Heidorn
The surname Heidorn is also spelled variously as Haidorn, Heydorn, Heytorne, and Haydorn. The derivative surnames Heitorn, Heidtman, Heytman, Heydtman, Haittman, Heittman, and Hiteman are all derived from the same origin as well, though they are not exact variants of the spelling. In times past, misspelling or mistakes in penmanship influenced a change in the spelling pattern of a surname, and it was not uncommon for these variations to surface as time passed.
The Heidorn surname is derived from the German personal name Heid(e)wald, which became Heitewald in Low German. Like most surnames of German origin, it was likely derived from a combination of the person's father's personal name and the word “wald”, which means “wood” or “forest”. This nickname type of surname was usually given to someone who dwelled in or near a wooded area, making the Heidorn name quite common in Germany.
In the United States, Heidorn is most commonly found in Wisconsin and Minnesota, while Heytman is most prevalent in Pennsylvania. Heydorn is also held by some prominent German-American families, such as the wealthy industrialist and politician of the early 20th century, August Fredrick Heydorn.
Today, the spellings of the Heidorn surname have become more homogenized, though variants still exist. In some cases, the surnames may have morphed so heavily over time that they are considered entirely different surnames altogether. Regardless, the same family line can often trace back across time with the help of genealogical records.
Famous people with the name Heidorn
- Bill Heidorn: movie producer.
- Kari Heidorn: former member of the Los Angeles Punk band The Go-Go's.
- Ron Heidorn: former member of the band The Rembrandts.
- Craig Heidorn: member of the hard rock band Slaughter.
- John Heidorn: director of programming for the Vermont PBS station.
- Carole Heidorn: senior lecturer in the Graduate School of Business at the University of Cape Town.
- Chris Heidorn: singer-songwriter and producer.
- Ron Heidorn Jr.: bass player for the rock band Fuel.
- Dan Heidorn: American film director.
- Manuel Heidorn Bigorra: Spanish actor.
- Michael Heidorn: former football player.
- Larry Heidorn: American basketball coach.
- Gary Heidorn: retired American basketball coach.
- Jrè Heidorn: Dutch music producer.
- Robert Heidorn: Entomologist and Professor of Systematics, Ecology and Evolution at the University of Arizona.
- Joe Heidorn: filmmaker.
- Toby Heidorn: Composer and Piano Player for the band Greece Patterns.
- Judy Heidorn: musician and writer.
- Sten Heidorn: Danish jazz guitarist and composer.
- Jeff Heidorn: American singer and songwriter.