Surname Hintz - Meaning and Origin
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Tracing My Identity: The Unveiling Journey with iGENEA DNA and the Surname Hintz
The iGENEA DNA test proved to be an inspiring journey across the pathway of my family tree and, by extension, an introspective dive into the magnificent ocean of my identity. I have discovered the unassemble jigsaw pieces of my identity and how my surname Hintz strongly underlines it.
F. Hintz
read moreHintz: What does the surname Hintz mean?
The surname Hintz is of German origin and derived from the Old German personal name Hinzo. This name is derived from either the Germanic name Hagen, meaning “encircle”, or from the personal name Hindo, derived from the Old Germanic hind meaning “an army”. This would make the literal translation for Hintz “around the army”, “encircled army”, or “army surrounded”.
The earliest records of the name date back to the 14th century when a Hintzo de Flanda appears in latinized records from Upper Bavaria. It is believed that the name begins to spread throughout northwestern Germany during this time.
In addition to the German-origin Hintz family noted in Europe, the surname is present in America as a result of immigration from Germany in the 19th and 20th centuries. Currently, the surname is most common in the US states of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan.
The hereditary Hintz surname has been recorded in history in various forms. These include Huncke, Huns, Hunkers, and Hinske. Many of the Americans who adopted the surname changed the spelling to Hintz in order to reflect the way it was spelled in Germany.
Overall, the surname Hintz has generally been associated with strength and decision-making. This is referenced by the literal translation of the name, as “army surrounded” alludes to standing resilient in the face of adversity.
Order DNA origin analysisHintz: Where does the name Hintz come from?
The last name Hintz is commonly found in Germany, where it is likely to have originated. Many Hintz families can be traced back through Bavarian Catholic records to an area in the southern parts of Germany.
The first documented instance of the surname is in the town of Schwetzingen, in the Kurpfalz region, in the year 1594, when Martin Hintz sold some of his landholdings. Since then, the name has flourished and can be found in the greater region of the Rhineland and in several other German states.
Hintz is notably among the most common surnames in northern German states, especially Schleswig-Holstein. It is also frequently encountered in the states of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, Sachsen, Bergisches Land, Berlin, and Thuringen.
It is also recorded in country-wide directories as a surname in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland, where it has most likely been introduced by travelers and missionaries. There are also a few mentions of the name in non-German countries such as Russia, its former territories, the United States, and Canada, which most likely resulted from migration in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Today, the name is most likely to be found in Germany, with clusters in northern German states, and in other parts of Europe related to past migration waves.
Variations of the surname Hintz
The surname Hintz can have several variant spellings and alternate surnames including Hinz, Hins, Heinatz, Hents, Hintsche, and Hantzsche. These are all patronymic surnames which originated from the given name of "Heinz," which itself derives from the Old German word "Heimrich" which translates to mean "home leader." This given name was widely used in Germany between the 11th and 15th centuries, and was adopted by many people of German descent. It eventually developed into various surnames, including Hintz.
The term "Hintz," as well as its alternate spellings and surnames, may also have regional variations due to the fact that it originated from a given name that was used throughout much of Europe. In northern Germany the spelling of the surname could be "Hinz," while in southern Germany the spelling of the surname could be "Hins." Other versions of the surname could include "Heinatz," which is a derivative of the given name "Heinrich," as well as "Hents," which is derived from the German word "Henrici" meaning "home ruler."
Due to immigration and emigration of people of German descent, the surname Hintz may also appear in different countries, with variations in spelling and alternate surnames. In the United States, for example, the surname is sometimes seen as "Hintsche" or "Hantzsche." This is likely due to assimilation of the surname over time.
The surname Hintz is still a relatively common surname today, and is a great reminder of the rich history that its originators have left behind.
Famous people with the name Hintz
- Jonathan Hintz: Soccer player and coach who has been a manager/managerial advisor for a number of clubs, most notably VfB Stuttgart in Germany.
- Philip Hintz: Researcher at California Polytechnic State University and major figure in the academic study of ocean acidification.
- Carsten Hintz: Retired professional soccer player who played for clubs such as SV Darmstadt 98, FC Schweinfurt 05, SpVgg Greuther Fürth, and Karlsruher SC.
- Paula Hintz: German middle distance athlete and three-time European Champion in the 800m and 1500m.
- Lindsay Hintz: Professional dancer and cast member of the televised show So You Think You Can Dance.
- William Hintz: Entrepreneur and co-founder of Chefs Feed, a restaurant discovery service.
- Paul Hintz: NASA astrophysicist whose research has focused on the physics and chemistry of the interstellar medium.
- Ruud Hintz: Professional racing driver who has raced in a number of events across Europe, including the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters.
- Patrick Hintz: Entrepreneur and co-founder of the international collaborative workspace platform Monument.
- Evan Hintz: Entrepreneur and founder of the music production company Hintz Music.