Surname Hentschke - Meaning and Origin

Hentschke: What does the surname Hentschke mean?

The last name Hentschke is of German origin. It is an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German word “hansc/hantsch”, which was originally a title of an official in charge of an estate in the Middle Ages. Later, the name evolved from being a title to being a surname.

The term "Hentschke" is also a popular surname in southern Germany, particularly Bavaria. It is theorized that the name originated with the Hanshaufen clan, a family who once owned property in the region of Bavaria long ago. The name may also be associated with a wild apple tree that had grown in a German village.

Those bearing the name “Hentschke” can be traced back to at least the 1500s in Germany. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the number of people who used the name increased steadily in the area. Its use eventually spread elsewhere in Europe, as well as to other continents with the rise of international travel and emigration.

The common spelling of Hentschke can be found in many countries, including Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, and the United States. Furthermore, variants of the name such as Hentschel, Hentschl, Hentzke, Hentss, Henzske, and Henzke, can be found in various regions of the world.

Hentschke: Where does the name Hentschke come from?

The last name Hentschke is common primarily in Germany and other German-speaking countries, such as Austria and Switzerland. The name is most commonly found in the state of Bavaria in Germany, particularly in the regions of Upper Franconia, Southwest and Middle Franconia. The name also appears in the neighboring German states of Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, Saxony, Thuringia, and Brandenburg in smaller numbers.

Outside of German-speaking countries, the last name Hentschke is found in other countries primarily as a result of German emigration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This includes countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada, Chile, and Argentina. The name also appears in countries such as the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands, where German immigrants settled in smaller numbers.

The last name Hentschke is rarer outside of German-speaking countries, however, due to anglicization (or other language-based edits) of the surname to fit the local language and customs. For example, Hentschke may appear as Hentschel, Heintzel, Hiedtschke, or other variations.

The presence of the last name Hentschke can be primarily found in German-speaking countries, and in other areas where Germany immigrants have settled and adapted their last name over time.

Variations of the surname Hentschke

The surname Hentschke is an old German name derived from the Bavarian word ‘henten’, which means ‘to bind’. The name is believed to have been first used by people who worked in the textile industry.

Variations of this surname include Hencke, Henschke, Henckel, Henish, Hentsch, Hentschel, Hentschl, Hentschelle, Henczke, Heintzschke, Heints, Hintz, Hintzke, Hintschel and Tentz.

There are also some variations in spelling and pronunciation, such as Henjzek, Henks, Hanch, Hent, Hentsh, Hentsk, Hentskö, Hentski, Henz and Hents.

Surname variants could also arise due to social factors such as assimilation, migration, and even differences in geography. For instance, Hentsch may be a variant of Hentschke in Germany, and Hents in Scandinavian countries.

The surname Hentschke is also found in many different parts of the world as a result of emigration. Common variations of the name in other countries include Hencken (Australia, New Zealand), Hance (Canada, United States) and Hancke (Czech Republic).

In summary, Hentschke is an old German surname with a variety of spelling variations, surname variants, and spellings all stemming from its original meaning of ‘to bind’.

Famous people with the name Hentschke

• Joseph Hentschke (1844: 1905): was a German-born American restaurateur who was one of the founders of the American brewing company Anheuser-Busch.
• Sigismund Friederich Hentschke (1853: 1914): was a German-born American philanthropist and brewery owner. He was a partner of the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company.
• Gustav Hentschke (1878: 1935): was a German-born American mechanical engineer and business executive. He was the president of the Wonder City Brewing Company and the father of Joseph Hentschke.
• William J. Hentschke (1867: 1942): was an American brewer and company executive who owned the Golden Gate Brewery.
• Joseph Hentschke (1881: 1958): was an American stockbroker and partner of Winthrop and Richard & Co.
• Harry Hentschke (1886: 1957): was an attorney and American politician who served as the mayor of St. Louis from 1933 to 1941.
• John Hentschke (1930: 2008): was an American science fiction and fantasy author and publisher.
• Frank Hentschke (undetermined): was a major league baseball player who played for the Washington Senators from 1903 to 1907.
• Annemarie Hentschke (born 1949): is a German actress and theatre director.
• Charles F. Hentschke (born 1971): is an American professor, author and lecturer known for his work on the US Civil War and American political history.

Other surnames

HentscheHentschel