Surname Helferich - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Helferich: What does the surname Helferich mean?
The last name Helferich is a German name derived from the words hilfe (help) and rich (rich). It is believed to date back to the Middle Ages when it was used to denote a person who was well-to-do and could provide help to those in need. The name is still in use in Germany, and the various spellings that have since arisen, such as Helfrich, Hellerich, and Helfrich.
In German culture, Helferichs are known for being helpful, charitable people who are often generous with their time and money. In addition to providing help to those in need, they are also known for having a great sense of humor and a desire to share stories and laughter with others.
The surname Helferich is also associated with strong values such as hard work, integrity, and family values, and it is thought to be a symbol of a family’s long-term resilience and success. These characteristics are further accentuated by its German origin – an environment known for its attention to detail and precision.
Overall, the last name Helferich is one that is associated with generosity, strength, and kindness. It has been in use in German culture since the Middle Ages and is still used today as a symbol of a family’s commitment to helping others and pursuing long-lasting success.
Order DNA origin analysisHelferich: Where does the name Helferich come from?
The last name Helferich is most commonly found in Germany. That is because it is of German origin, and it is derived from the old German expressions "helva" or "helferich". This was a name often given to those identified as a "helper" or "protector". It was a title of respect given to those who provided service to kings and the nobility.
The name became popular in Germany during the Middle Ages as a surname option for those who were loyal or provided assistance to the ruling class. Today, the surname is mainly seen in southern Germany, though it is also found in the United States, particularly in those areas which have German ancestries, such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and many other parts of the midwest.
Those with the Helferich name can also be found in other nations with German influences, such as Austria, Switzerland, as well as in other European countries like France, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
The name is still fairly uncommon, but due to modern global migrations, it is likely to be seen more often in the future.
Variations of the surname Helferich
The surname Helferich is an occupational name derived from the Old German word “helfer”, meaning “support” or “help”. This surname is most common in German speaking countries such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Helferich include Helfrich, Hellfrich, Helffrich, Heilfrich, Halffrich, Helfferich and Helfrig. As well as other variations such as Helffers, Helffer, Helffersch, Helffries, Helffrye, Hellfers, Hellfersch, Hellfres, Hellfrye and Helfreich.
The surname was often modified to suit different dialects or languages over time, resulting in variants such as Helffrig, Helffrigg and Helfrigge (used in Switzerland), Heilfrisch (common in Austria), Helferichs (common in Prussia) and Helfers (common in Westphalia).
There are also surnames derived from the Helferich surname, such as Heilfrerich, Helffrigg, Helfrichs, Helfgreis, and Helffelder. These derived surnames are found in many places across Europe, usually with slight spelling variations based on regional dialects.
The Helferich surname is rarely found outside of Europe, however, there may be some distant relatives living in North America or other parts of the world due to emigration over time.
Famous people with the name Helferich
- Karl Helferich (1872–1924): German politician, major theorist of Social-Darwinism, a movement that claimed that political, economic, and social inequality were biologically determined.
- Friedrich Helferich (1890–1941): chemist who was at the forefront of estrogen research and is credited with the discovery of the estrogenic properties of stilbestrol.
- Richard Helferich (1927–2015): American businessman and philanthropist who amassed and donated millions to charities and educational institutions.
- Christopher Helferich (born 1947): American professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia who did research on plant physiology and biochemistry.
- Charles Helferich (born 1952): former American basketball coach and current athletic director at Cal Poly.
- Thomas Helferich (born 1954): Professor of biochemistry at the University of Illinois. He is known for his work on plant and fungal interactions in woodland ecosystems.
- Tim Helferich (born 1976): American executive, video game storyteller, and paranormal investigator.
- Gudrun Helferich (born 1965): German children's book author and illustrator.