Surname Hilligass - Meaning and Origin
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Hilligass: What does the surname Hilligass mean?
The last name Hilligass is of German origin and is derived from the German surnames Hilliger and Hilligert. It was likely formed as a combination of the two as a patronymic surname. The primary meaning of Hilliger is "son of Hillegard" and Hillegard is a Germanic name composed of the elements "hild" meaning "battle" and "gard" meaning "protection". As such, Hilligass most likely originally referred to someone who was the son of a protecter of battle.
The German name Hilligert is related to Hilliger and is derived from the elements "hillig" meaning "friendly" and "hart" meaning "brave". The name would have been given to someone who was brave but had a friendly demeanor. Hilligass therefore could have also come to mean someone who was either the son of a protecter of battles or someone who was friendly and brave.
Today, the last name Hilligass is still found in Germany, as well as in other countries with German ancestry such as the United States, Australia, and Canada. As with many other surnames, the spelling of Hilligass has changed slightly over time to include different spellings such as Hilligas and Hilligus.
Order DNA origin analysisHilligass: Where does the name Hilligass come from?
The last name Hilligass is an uncommon surname, with most people bearing it located in the United States. While distinct concentrations are hard to isolate, the most concentrated numbers of people with Hilligass as a last name are found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, and Michigan. A higher number is also found in California, Oregon, and Washington in the west coast. While these are the most popular states in the US with Hilligass’, it is also found in other locations such as Canada and a few other countries.
Not much is known about the origin of the name Hilligass, but some account indicate that it was a form of 'Hellegas'. Hellegas was a French personal name, and it is likely this might have been the ancestral origin of the modern day Hilligass.
In modern times, the people with the Hilligass last name are scattered throughout different regions in the US. In particular, a small number are concentrated in Arkansas, and Washington, D.C. It is likely that most individuals can be found in the US alone, although this is speculative.
In summary, the Hilligass surname is an uncommon name in modern times. It has its origins with the French personal name Hellegas, and is commonly found in the United States in concentrations of varying sizes. A small number of people with the name Hilligass are also found in Canada and a few other countries.
Variations of the surname Hilligass
The surname Hilligass is derived from a German word meaning hiliger Has (holy rabbit). This surname is derived from an old German personal name, Hilgar which was derived from hilig (holy) and hari (rabbit). Variants of the surname Hilligass include Hilligas, Hilligass, Hille, Hilleggas, Hillgras, Hilliges, Hilligoss, Hillijas, Hillijos, Hilliker, Hilliks, and Hilligess.
Spellings of the surname Hilligass are usually the same, but it can also be spelled as Hilligeas, Hilliges, or Hilligis. There are also variations where the “s” is replaced with a “z”, such as Hilligaz, Hilligazs, Hilligess, or Hilligoss.
Surnames of the same origin include Hilliker, Hilla, Hillig, Hilligas, Hilliges, Hillegger, Hillgras, and Hillhoef. These variations are typically used interchangeably with each other, so it is not uncommon to see the same family members go by different surnames.
Another variation of the Hilligass surname is Hilliger, which is the English equivalent of the German spelling Hilliger. Hilliger is sometimes used by families who have adopted English as their primary language, rather than German.
The origin of the name Hilligass is still debated, but it is believed that it is a topographic surname from houses near a rabbit-shaped hill or mountain. It is also believed that it could be a nickname for someone who had a large nose or hairy features.
Overall, the surname Hilligass is thought to have derived from the German word for hiliger Has (holy rabbit) and can have a multitude of spelling and surname variations.
Famous people with the name Hilligass
- Greg Hilligass: American professional golfer who has competed on the PGA Tour and the Web.com Tour
- Brad Hilligass: American professional wrestler
- Sam Hilligass: Retired American football running back
- Kendall Hilligass: Australian swimmer and Paralympic medalist
- Kristina Hilligass: American violinist
- Wayne Hilligass: Former American speedway rider
- Eddie Hilligass: Former Major League Baseball Player
- Bruce Hilligass: Former American professional basketball player
- Eric Hilligass: Olympic medalist in shot put
- Nate Hilligass: Former NFL Defensive End
- William Hilligass: Canadian astronaut
- Daisy Hilligass: British television and stage actress
- David Hilligass: American former Major League Baseball pitcher
- John Hilligass: Former NASCAR driver
- Robert Hilligass: Lead singer of the indie rock band, the Hilligass Counts
- Leslie Hilligass: Tony Award-winning theatrical director
- Gregory Hilligass: Saxaphone Player and Orchestral Composer
- Jennifer Hilligass: Nobel Prize-winning Biologist
- Kim Hilligass: Former Professional Basketball Player for the WNBA
- Thomas Hilligass: Famous Art Painter