Surname Heiter - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Heiter: What does the surname Heiter mean?
The last name Heiter is found in both Germany and the United States. It is believed to have originated from the German word "Heiter," which roughly translates to "cheerful." The meaning could refer to someone with a pleasant personality, or sometimes even those with a quick wit or intelligence.
The surname Heiter is typically associated with an independent and self-determined person who is content with their lot in life and is thus easily contented. It is also thought to denote an individual who is confident and always keen to learn and excel.
In some cases, the Heiter surname is believed to be an altered version of the more common German name Heitmann. However, researcher Florian Heiter has written that this is not the actual case, as the two names have been distinct for at least several centuries.
In the United States, the name Heiter is associated with German immigrants who settled in what is now Pennsylvania. Between the 18th and 19th centuries, many Heiters left Germany due to religious and economic reasons, and were amongst the many German immigrants who shaped the already-established American communities.
Overall, the Heiter surname is a positive one, with a warm, enthusiastic and optimistic connotation, as well as a connection to independent and determined individuals.
Order DNA origin analysisHeiter: Where does the name Heiter come from?
The last name Heiter is most common in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also found in parts of southern France and Eastern Europe. The name is derived from the German word heite, meaning "kind" or "affectionate". This surname is thought to have been adopted by families in the Middle Ages as a sign of endearment or to signify a person's benevolent nature.
Today, Heiter is far from being one of the most common surnames in Germany. According to the last census, it was ranked #7854 in terms of popularity, with 11,247 people carrying the name in the entire country. Nonetheless, it is still found to be fairly well distributed throughout the country, with its presence felt in all states. The highest number of Heiters are found in the German states of Bavaria (4,778 people) and North Rhine-Westphalia (3,211).
The Heiter surname is relatively uncommon in the United States, with about 7,310 people carrying it. Most of them are of German or Austrian heritage, with the concentration of the name being highest in the states of Indiana and Ohio, both of which have a large German-American population.
In conclusion, the surname Heiter is found mostly in German-speaking countries as well as in parts of France and Eastern Europe. It is not especially common in any one region, but there are still pockets of Heiters living around the world today.
Variations of the surname Heiter
The Heiter surname has several variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin. Many spellings are a result of variations in pronunciation and accent.
The spelling "Heiter" is mainly used in Germany and some of its neighbouring countries. Variations of "Heiter" include "Hiter," "Haiter," and "Hyter." A related surname in England is "Hayer" or "Hayr."
In Italy, the Heiter surname is often spelled “Eiter” and variants include "Eyter," "Aiter," and "Aytter." In Spain, the surname is often spelled "Aiter."
In Sweden, the surname is often spelled "Hejder" or "Helder," whereas in Norway it can be spelled "Heider," "Heidar" or "Hejder." The Polish variant of the Heiter surname is "Hiter," while the Danish version is "Heyden."
In Austria and Switzerland, the "Heiter" surname is sometimes changed to other spellings such as "Highter," "Heyter," "Hinter," and "Hüter."
The English version of the Heiter surname is usually spelled "Heather," however, variations of the name can also include "Heathers," "Heatherly," and "Heatherington."
Regardless of the many variations, the Heiter surname is mainly derived from the Old High German word "haidar," meaning “forest-dweller.” This surname is also historically associated with some vocation, such as a hunter or woodsman.
Famous people with the name Heiter
- Bill Heiter: actor and screenwriter primarily known for his work on the television show Dynasty
- Paula Heiter: model and contestant on the reality competition series America's Next Top Model
- Dean Heiter: award-winning performance artist and dance choreographer
- Florian Heiter: German actor known for his roles on the television series Alarm für Cobra 11: Die Autobahnpolizei
- Neil Heiter: professional wrestler and promoter of the World Wrestling Enterprise
- Val Heiter: American actor and former child star
- Carl Heiter: American artist who works in a variety of mediums including photography, drawing and digital art
- George Heiter: award-winning filmmaker and cinematographer
- Barbara Heiter: German television actress and comedian
- Lincoln Heiter: American professional golfer and winner of the 2009 US Amateur Championship