Surname Hilderscheid - Meaning and Origin
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Hilderscheid: What does the surname Hilderscheid mean?
The origin of the last name Hilderscheid is not known for certainty. Some sources claim that it derives from the Germanic personal name “Hilder” which itself is derived from the germaineic word “held” meaning “hero” or “army” and is found as both a first name and a surname in Dutch records from the Middle Ages. Other sources trace the name to Schnide, a location in the German region of Hessen.
The early spelling of the last name Hilderscheid was likely Hildersheid or Hildersheidt and was a very common name throughout The Netherlands during the 17th and 18th centuries. People with this surname were often found working as laborers in rural towns and villages where the name eventually became more casual and shortened, taking on different spellings.
Hilderscheid is most likely a habitational name for someone who originally came from the area. It consists of two elements: “Hilder” and “sheid”; with heid being a dialect term meaning “pasture” or “clearing”. It could be roughly translated as “the pasture of Hilder” or “the clearing belonging to Hilder”.
The name Hilderscheid is found throughout the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States, and is a reminder of people’s connections to the land and their ancestors. It is a unique and personal testament to one’s history and heritage, and those who bear the last name should be proud of their roots.
Order DNA origin analysisHilderscheid: Where does the name Hilderscheid come from?
The last name Hilderscheid is most commonly found in Germany, Netherlands, and Luxembourg today. In Germany, the highest concentration of the surname is found in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein, while in the Netherlands many families with this surname can be found in the provinces of Utrecht, Drenthe, and Overijssel. In all three countries, however, Hilderscheid is still a rather rare last name with only a few hundred bearers.
Hilderscheid might date back to the 1200s, when the village of Hildersheim—today part of Hessisch Oldendorf in Lower Saxony—was founded by Hilder Counts from Holstein. These Hilderscheids are most likely the source of the last name. In 1386, two brothers, called Johan and Herman Hilderscheid, were recorded in the village's chronicles. The other possible origin for the last name lies in the liefdescheld (‘shield of love’), a certain exemption granted by the local lord in medieval times to people who lived as a married couple at a certain distance in order to prevent incest. This exemption might have become hereditary and was even mentioned in the Hundred-Year-War as Hilder-schild.
The surname Hilderscheid can also be found in other parts of Germany, as well as several cities in France, the United Kingdom, and even as far away as Zimbabwe. In Europe, however, the name is still most frequently found in Germany, Netherlands, and Luxembourg.
Variations of the surname Hilderscheid
Hilderscheid is a surname of German origin. It is also spelled Hildersheid and Hilderscheit. Variants include Hilderbrand, Hildersman, and Hildersmann.
Hilderbrand is a combination of the German words “Hilde” and “Brand”, and it is derived from a Germanic personal name composed of the elements “hildi” and “beran” meaning “battle” and “brand” respectively. This name would have been given to someone who had a strong or brave character. This surname is also found as Hildersbrand and Hulderbrand.
Hildersman is derived from the Old German personal name “Hilder” and the word “man” which means “man” or “person”. It is an occupational name given to one who worked as a servant to a household headed by someone with the name “Hilder”. Variants include Hildersmann and Huldersmann.
Hilderscheit is a shortened form of the original German form and is derived from a personal name “Hilder” and the Old German word “scheit” which literally describes a block of wood used for fuel. It is likely that this surname was given to someone living near a wood lot or one who worked in the timber trade. Variants include Hilderscheidt and Hulderscheidt.
Famous people with the name Hilderscheid
- Jeroen Hilderscheid: Dutch politician who is a member of the Senate for the Party for Freedom.
- Dirk Hilderscheid: Dutch admiral who was the Commander of the Royal Netherlands Navy from 1997 to 2000.
- Henri Hilderscheid: Dutch poet and author who published several collections of poetry.
- Frank Hilderscheid: German footballer who has played as a defender for both club and country.
- Maarten Hilderscheid: Dutch political scientist who works at the University of Amsterdam.
- Frans Hilderscheid: Dutch historian and professor emeritus at Radboud University, who specializes in ancient and modern history.
- Jan Hilderscheid: Dutch lawyer who was appointed as a judge at the European Court of Justice in 2017.
- Gerhard Hilderscheid: German military officer who served as Chief of Staff of the Army from 2006 to 2007.
- Heleen Hilderscheid: Dutch diplomat and policy advisor currently working as the Dutch ambassador to the United Arab Emirates.
- Wim Hilderscheid: Dutch entertainer and singer who gained popularity in the 1960s.
- Josje Hilderscheid: Dutch actress best known for her roles in the Dutch soap opera Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden and the television series Penoza.