Surname Hinckfuss - Meaning and Origin
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Hinckfuss: What does the surname Hinckfuss mean?
The last name Hinckfuss has its origin in German-speaking countries. It is derived from a combination of the two German words, "Hinck" and "Fuß," which roughly translates to “goose foot". It is thought to have originated as a nickname for someone with a prominent foot, or one who walked with a goose-like or duck-like gait.
The Hinckfuss surname can be relatively rare, with less than 100 instances of the name recorded in recent times. It is most often found in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, though records show it to be present in other surrounding areas such as Bavaria and Schweinfurt.
The name may have other geographical origins, but the most likely source is from the Westphalian region of Germany, from which many Germanic migrants settled during the 17th century. This area is known to have a rich tradition of duck and goose hunting, which makes the name's origins even more fitting.
The meaning behind the surname Hinckfuss is a reminder of the practice of creating surnames from nicknames, to denote a characteristic or distinct feature, which was popular in centuries past. Its connection to the duck and goose hunting tradition is a whimsical indication of how the name may have been created for a particular individual.
Order DNA origin analysisHinckfuss: Where does the name Hinckfuss come from?
The Hinckfuss surname is most commonly found in Germany, especially in the areas of Lower Saxony, Berlin, and Hamburg. It can also be found in the United States, especially in the states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. In each of these locations, the name has been around for generations and is still carried on today.
The name Hinckfuss dates back to 17th century Germany, though the origin of the name is uncertain. It is possible that it is derived from a personal name such as "Hinricus" or "Hincfridus", combining elements such as "hint" (dear) and "fridu" (peace). It has been suggested that the name was originally of Polish origin, but this has not been confirmed.
The name Hinckfuss is found in records from the late 17th century onwards, in Germany and Poland. When German settlers arrived in the American colonies, the Hinckfuss name was one of those brought, particularly to states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. It is likely that the name spread as far as these states as immigrants searched for work and made new homes.
Today, the Hinckfuss name can be seen in various records in Germany, the United States, and even Canada. In each place, the descendants of the original German settlers carry on the name, some of them still with the original spelling and others with it slightly adapted.
Variations of the surname Hinckfuss
The surname Hinckfuss is derived from the Germanic given name Hinco or Hinke, which itself is derived from the Old High Germanic words "hind" and "hinkon" meaning “servant” and “humble” respectively. It was the surname of a noble family in the Province of Westphalia, Germany, which can be traced back to the late 1600s.
The Hinckfuss surname can take on many different variants and spellings depending on the language in which it is being used. In English, the most common spellings of the surname include: Hinkle, Hinckle, Hinkel, and Henkel. In German, variations of the surname include: Hinke, Hincke, Hinckel, Hincken, Hincks, Hencken, Hinken, and Hinkes.
Alternate surnames can also be derived from Hinckfuss including the patronymic surnames Hinkfuss, Hinckels, Henckles, and Henckens.
Another variant of the surname is found in Dutch-speaking countries. Here, the surname is spelled Henckels, Henkle, Hencklu, Hinkess, Hinckelhorn, and Hinkskocks.
Finally, many people in the United States with this surname have anglicized their family names to become Hinks, Hinx, Hinckley, and Henkly.
Famous people with the name Hinckfuss
- John Hinckfuss: Australian-born American businessman and philanthropist.
- Andris Hinckfuss: Australian-born artist and art educator.
- Judge Jonathan Hinckfuss: Canadian judge.
- Abigail Hinckfuss: American art curator and grant specialist.
- Marcus Hinckfuss: German athlete.
- Helmut Hinckfuss: German painter.
- Heidi Hinckfuss: German chemist and chemical engineer.
- Christine Hinckfuss: American nature photographer.
- Rudolf Hinckfuss: German music composer.
- Bruno Hinckfuss: German-born American artist and art historian.
- Hans Hinckfuss: German engineer.
- William Hinckfuss: German botanist.
- Wilhelm Hinckfuss: German philosopher.
- Peter Hinckfuss: Australian film director and screenwriter.
- Reiner Hinckfuss: German actor.
- Carol Hinckfuss: American abstract painter.
- Marie Hinckfuss: German archaeologist.
- Georg Hinckfuss: German historian.
- Markus Hinckfuss: German linguist.
- Raquel Hinckfuss: Argentine economist.