Surname Hilger - Meaning and Origin
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I am a Hilger: An Emotional Journey through iGENEA DNA Test
Unravelling my innate curiosity for the past, my experience with iGENEA has been an emotional journey. From discovering unexpected roots to recognizing the inherent meaning behind my surname 'Hilger,’ every aspect has profoundly influenced my understanding and emotional connection to my family.
D. Hilger
read moreHilger: What does the surname Hilger mean?
The last name Hilger is an occupational surname of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word “hilger” which means a “hunter.” It was first used to indicate somebody who was employed as a hunter.
Hilger is most common in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and is still fairly common in the United States. During the immigration to the US in the 19th and early 20th centuries, some families with the Hilger name changed the spelling to hilgers, hilgrs, hilgner, humbler, or hinlager.
The Hilger name is associated with many famous people, including an Austrian-born cyclist, Ernst Hilger, and a Swiss-born politician, Walter Hilger.
The Hilger surname is an important part of German and Swiss culture and is often associated with strength and leadership, which is typical for people whose ancestors worked as hunters. As a result, many parents give their children the Hilger name as a tribute to their ancestors.
Today, the Hilger last name is still widely used throughout Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and is still associated with strength and leadership. It is a reminder of Germany's proud heritage and culture.
Order DNA origin analysisHilger: Where does the name Hilger come from?
The last name Hilger is of Germanic origin and is widely distributed throughout Germany. According to Ancestry.com, there are more than 7,000 people with the last name Hilger living in Germany today, making it one of the more common surnames in the country. The name is also found in many other European countries, including Austria, Switzerland, and other areas of Germany.
The Hilger surname is also common in the United States, with nearly 6,000 people bearing the name. Most of those living in the U.S. bearing the name trace their ancestry back to immigrants who came from Europe in the late 19th and early 20th century. The highest concentrations of the surname are found in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. These states are home to many descendants of German settlers who were attracted by the region's rich soil and farmland.
In addition to Europe and the United States, the Hilger surname is also found in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, thanks to immigration from these countries and other parts of the world. All these locations show that the Hilger name continues to be an important part of European and North American history, with the name still being widely used today.
Variations of the surname Hilger
Hilger is a surname of German or Scandinavian origin and can appear in a variety of spellings that include: Hillger, Hilgers, Hillgare, Hilgre, Hillgar, Hilgere, and Hildegere. These variations of the name often reflect the traditional spellings of the region. For example, Hillger is a common spelling in Bavaria, while Hillgare is seen in western Germany.
Hilger is also an Anglicized version of a variety of surnames derived from the given name, Hilger. The tradition of Anglicization began when immigrants arriving in the United States kept their original name spellings but changed them to sound more American.
Examples of this include variants of Hilger such as: Hilder, Hillder, Hilgerd, Hillkirk, Hildaker, Hilldar, Hillger, Hilliker, Hillikerd, Hillikerdt, Hillkirk, Hiltzke, Hillgern, Hillhaughe, Hillhough, Hillman, and Hillmer.
Other regional variants of Hilger include: Hillgerhusen, Hulgerhusen, and Hilgenhusen from Germany and Lithuania; Hilderos from Ukraine; Helggren from Sweden; Huwger, Hulegard, and Holegiard from the Netherlands; and Hillgint from Lithuania.
In some cases, these variations of the name also assumed additional variants or changed to a new spelling due to local dialects. Examples of this include Hillger being changed to Hilger or Häger while in Australia the name became Hilger or Hölger.
No matter what variation of Hilger is seen, the same historic roots lie beneath all the spellings.
Famous people with the name Hilger
- Cameron Hilger: American actor known for roles in Murder, She Wrote, and Paranormal Solutions Inc.
- Gaelen Hilger: American fashion designer who designs luxury eveningwear and ready-to-wear collections.
- Matthew Hilger: Professional poker player who won the World Poker Tour five diamond championship in 2011.
- Meagan Hilger: Miss Kansas USA 2013, currently an on-air talent for various television and radio shows.
- Ryan Hilger: American racer and coach for the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series.
- Tobias Hilger: German physician and inventor who developed several medical devices.
- Erik Hilger: Former professional ice hockey player who played in the NHL for five seasons.
- JoAnne Hilger: First woman to be elected to serve as a Mayor in Ohio.
- Steve Hilger: Former Major League baseball pitcher who played for several teams from 1982: 1994.
- Michael Hilger: German pottery innovator and artist who helped develop modern ceramic production methods.