Surname Hientz - Meaning and Origin
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Hientz: What does the surname Hientz mean?
The last name Hientz is an interesting one that has a number of possible origins. It is a German name, believed to be derived from either the French "Henry" or from the Germanic “Haintz” meaning ruler. The earliest recorded form of the name is Hençe, dating back to 13th century documents in Germany.
It is also believed to be a form of the surnames "Heyntz" and "Hientzmann" which are related to the Germanic, meaning "from the house of Hientz". This indicates that the Hientz family were likely of noble rank or high social standing.
Throughout history, the name Hientz has been recorded in various documents in Germany, including ancient city and church records as well as land grants and military documents. It is thought that the family were to an extent quite prominent, with a few branches having their own extensive family history.
The name Hientz can be found today in Germany, but also other parts of Europe where immigration has taken place. It most commonly occurs in Germany, but in the USA and Canada, there are more records than in Europe.
The name Hientz is rooted in Germanic culture and of noble origin. It is believed to be a related to either the French “Henry” or the Germanic “Haintz”. Over time, it has spread to other locations around Europe and the world, keeping a sense of nobility and prominence within the family name.
Order DNA origin analysisHientz: Where does the name Hientz come from?
The last name Hientz is most commonly found in Germany, France, and other countries in Central Europe today. It is one of the many Germanic surnames that made its way across Europe in the Middle Ages. According to public data, the largest concentration of Hientz families today are mainly concentrated in the German states of Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Bavaria, though members of the Hientz surname can also be found across France, mainly in Alsace and Lorraine. In the United States, the Hientz family is also found, mostly in the Midwest, mainly in Missouri.
The exact origin of Hientz is uncertain, since its roots have been obscured over the centuries. Some researchers believe it may have been a shortened version of Heinrich, while others believe it could have derived from the Germanic word hianzo, which means "ally, friend, or fellow."
Either way, the surname Hientz still remains today, with hundreds of mentions of the name found at birth and death records from throughout Europe and America.
Variations of the surname Hientz
The surname Hientz is likely derived from the personal name Heinz which is derived from the Middle High German word "hein" which means "home ruler". Throughout Europe, the surname has been spelled variously from the original German spelling to the more modern English variant Hintz.
In Germany, where the surname originates, the variant spellings of Hientz include Hintz, Hinz and Heintz. In other countries, Heinz is spelled Hines, Hincks, Hinke, Hinkes and Hinze. The Swiss variants are Heintz and Hitz, while the Czech version is Hync.
In the United States, the most common variants of Hientz are Hintz, Hents and Hens. Other forms include Heintz, Hentsch and Hince. In the United Kingdom the variants are mainly Hintz and Hens. Other spellings include Hinchliffe and Hincks.
In Canada, the variants are mainly Hintz and Hincks. Other spellings include Hinke, Hincks, Hicks, Hyns and Henz. Other variations in Australia include Hintz, Hincks and Hinchcliffe. The Canadian spellings are also used in Australia.
No matter what the spelling, all of these variants are derived from the ancient German personal name Heinz.
Famous people with the name Hientz
- Donna Hientz: A television host and executive producer for the truTV network.
- Erich Hientz, Sr.: 1945 Rhineland International Boxing Champion and father of ten children.
- Gerhard Hientz: German goalkeeper who played for the VfB Stuttgart II soccer team.
- Hans Hientz: Austrian silversmith and sculptor who mastered the Vienna Secessionist style.
- Heinrich Hientz: A Bavarian geologist and professor at the University of Munich.
- Isidor Hientz: A renowned Austrian surgeon from the 19th century.
- Joseph Anton Hientz: An Austrian politician who served as federal chancellor between 1978 and 1983.
- Kurt Hientz: An Austrian actor, comedian, and actor known for his stage performances and movie roles.
- Leo Hientz: An American soldier and boxer who served in World War II and was of German heritage.
- Markus Hientz: Swiss Captain serving in the French Royal Navy. He was a founding father of Switzerland.