Surname Heimgreiter - Meaning and Origin
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Heimgreiter: What does the surname Heimgreiter mean?
Heimgreiter is an old Germanic surname derived from two elements: 'heim' and 'greiter'. The name is derived from a Middle High German name, 'Heimgerit', which was composed of the elements 'heim', meaning 'home', and 'greiter', meaning 'fence'.
The original bearer of the name was likely a dweller near a fence surrounding a settlement or a man responsible for its upkeep and maintenance. Heimgreiter was used as both a descriptive name given to someone who lived by a fence or maybe owned a fence business, as well as a hereditary family name.
In modern times, the surname is encountered only rarely in Germany, suggesting that it is not commonly used. Where it is found, it has largely retained its geographical origin and is likely still tied to the Heimgreiter family line. It is a rare and distinctive name, but it could be a meaningful reminder of one's German heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisHeimgreiter: Where does the name Heimgreiter come from?
The last name Heimgreiter is most strongly associated with Austria, where it is still quite common. The name can also be found in Germany, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, and other European countries.
The earliest recorded reference to the name Heimgreiter dates back to the 16th century in Bavaria. During the 18th century, many members of the Heimgreiter family migrated into Austria and established themselves there. Austria was actually the first country to officially register the Heimgreiter family name in its records. This was done during the time of Emperor Joseph II who ruled between 1765-1790.
Today, the surname Heimgreiter is particularly found in southern and western Austria, especially in the states of Tyrol, Salzburg, Carinthia, and Vorarlberg. It is estimated that there are roughly 2000 individuals with the surname Heimgreiter living in this region of Austria.
It is also found in areas of Germany such as Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Lower Saxony. In the United States, the Heimgreiter surname is not necessarily common but there are roughly 1500 individuals carrying that name. Canada also has a small population of people with that surname.
Overall, the Heimgreiter name is still quite common in Austria and parts of nearby Germany, but it is not as widespread throughout other countries.
Variations of the surname Heimgreiter
The surname Heimgreiter is likely of German origin, and is associated with several variant spellings and surnames. One variant is Heintzgreiter, which is derived from the combination of 'Heinz' and 'Greiter'. It might also be spelled Heingreiter, Heimager, Hiener, Heyner, Hainer, Heimer, Heimruger, or Heimig.
The Heimgreiter surname can also have a variety of associated surnames of a similar origin. Heimegger, Heimt, Heiml, Heimberg, Heimerl, Heimberger, Heimbuchner, Heimdobler, Heimbach, Heimstaudinger, Heimensdorfer, Heimmetzer, and Heimle are all associated spellings.
Most Heimgreiter families are believed to be of German origin, however there are also some variant spellings of the name that are derived from locations such as Hungary and Switzerland. For example, the Heimgreiter surname is sometimes spelled Heimerl in Hungary, while in Switzerland it is spelled Heimberg.
Many people with the Heimgreiter surname may be able to find further information about their individual family's history by researching historical archives. Records such as birth and death records, census records, immigration records, military records, and church records can provide invaluable insight into the history of a family.
Famous people with the name Heimgreiter
- Alison Heimgreiter: Canadian actress and producer
- Raymond Heimgreiter: American race car driver
- Ronny Heimgreiter: German retired footballer
- Joseph Heimgreiter: American football coach
- Christian Heimgreiter: Austrian freestyle skier
- Johannes Heimgreiter: German footballer
- Stefan Heimgreiter: German footballer
- Johannes Heimgreiter: Austrian footballer
- Tom Heimgreiter: German artist
- Eugen Heimgreiter: German slalom canoeist