Surname Hertgen - Meaning and Origin

Hertgen: What does the surname Hertgen mean?

Hertgen is a German surname derived from a place name. It is a combination of the Old High German elements hart (a wood or thicket) and gen (an enclosure). The name refers to a family who lived in a wooded area surrounded by an enclosure. It could also refer to someone working as a warden of the wood, or a professional hunter in the area.

The name is most common in North Rhine-Westphalia, a region in western Germany, where it is most likely to have originated. The name is also sometimes spelled Hertgan, Hertgin, Hertegen, or Hertgenst. The name has also spread to other countries, such as Austria, the Netherlands, France and the United States.

The Hertgen surname is associated with a strong sense of loyalty and dependability, as well as a fierce sense of pride and ambition. These traits have been passed down through the generations and can be seen in the longevity of the Hertgen lineage.

Individuals named Hertgen and their descendants today often take pride in their heritage and enjoy researching their genealogy to learn more about the history of the name. Despite its origins, many families of the Hertgen name no longer reside in the area where it originated, but have managed to keep the name alive.

Hertgen: Where does the name Hertgen come from?

The last name Hertgen is most commonly found in the United States, where it is the 1,876th most common surname. It is also found in Germany and the Netherlands, in decreasing amounts. In the United States, it is primarily found in the Midwestern and Northeastern states, with concentrations around Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. The Hertgen surname likely originated in Germany, where it likely derives from the German word “hert” meaning “hart”, which was an old German nickname for a brave and hardworking man.

Hertgens are found mostly as independent businessmen and farmers, especially in the Midwest, while other branches may have migrated to other parts of the country for different employment opportunities. They’ve participated in several wars, including World War I and World War II, and migrated to the new world in search of better economic prospects.

Today, the Hertgen surname resides with a broad range of people in various occupations. Some can be found in farming, the military, law enforcement, technology, and health care. They can also be found in different kinds of private businesses as owners and executives, ranging from hospitality and hospitality to engineering and construction. Other Hertgens have opted for roles in the public sector, in education, public administration, and the media.

Variations of the surname Hertgen

The variants and spellings of the surname Hertgen include Hartgen, Herteg, Hertigs, Hertzog, Herdgen and Hardgen.

Hertgen is a German language surname derived from the personal name Hartwig or Hardwig. The name Hardwig means “ready for battle"; the chemical symbol for Tungsten, element 74 in the Periodic table, is derived from the German words “Hardt” and “Wig”, both of which are connected to the name Hardwig.

The surname Hertgen is also found in the Netherlands, Czechoslovakia, and the American nations of Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. In the Netherlands, people bearing the surname are mainly concentrated in the southern and in the eastern parts of the country, especially in the cities of Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, and Utrecht.

The American origin of the surname reasons back to the 1700s, when a large number of Europeans migrated to the United States in search of new opportunities. In the US, the spelling of the surname varies from Hertgen to Hartgen or even Hertzog. In the south, the name is also found in the form of Herdgen.

Regardless of the spelling, all of these surnames originated from the name Hardwig and are related to the strong and successful nature of its bearer.

Famous people with the name Hertgen

• Mary Elizabeth Hertgen: American artist and model
• Dave Hertgen: Singer and Songwriter
• Philip G. Hertgen: American pathologist and biochemist
• Philip Hertgen: an American experimental painter and art educator
• Jerry Hertgen Jr: American Artist
• Arnold H. Hertgen: American politician
• Joseph W. Hertgen: American judge
• Mark Hertgen: American political psychologist
• Kenneth D. Hertgen: United States Navy officer
• David W. Hertgen: Former Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives

Other surnames

Hertgens