Surname Hitzl - Meaning and Origin
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Hitzl: What does the surname Hitzl mean?
The last name Hitzl has its roots in the German language. Its origin can be traced back to the Middle High German term "hützel" which literally translates to "hedge". It may also be derived from the Middle High German "hüz" which means "thicket" or "copse".
The name Hitzl is thought to have come from those individuals who lived or worked in or near a hedge or thicket. Some people believe that the name Hitzl also implies someone who is watchful or attentive to their surroundings, as the thicket often served as a good hiding spot and would be a perfect place to keep an eye out for potential threats or opportunities.
The earliest record of someone with the name Hitzl is dated back to the year 1434 in Bavaria, Germany. The surname has since spread to other parts of the world, including North America.
Hitzl is currently an uncommon name, and although it does not yet have a coat of arms, the name itself has a strong sense of history and ancestry. Its origin story implies an almost "protective" nature, suggesting that those who bear the name may have an interesting and watchful perspective on the world around them.
Order DNA origin analysisHitzl: Where does the name Hitzl come from?
The surname Hitzl is most commonly found in German-speaking countries. It is most typically found in Bavaria, followed by Rhineland-Palatinate, Baden-Württemberg, and parts of Austria. For reference, Bavaria is a state in south-eastern Germany and Rhineland-Palatinate is a neighboring state that borders France and Luxembourg.
The Hitzl surname has a long history in German-speaking lands, with the earliest written record dating back to 1397. There are still many people around the world today who bear the name. It is particularly common in the counties of Neuburg-Schrobenhausen and Fürth, both located in Bavaria.
Due to the region's relative proximity to other countries such as Austria, Switzerland, France, and Italy, the name is also found in those countries, but its presence is much more common in the aforementioned parts of Germany.
The most likely explanation for why the Hitzl surname is more commonly found in Germany and other German-speaking countries relates to a history of migration. As families have moved between different countries, states, provinces, and regions, they have taken their surname along with them. This, combined with the large population of German-speaking peoples, has likely resulted in the increased concentration of the name in that area.
Variations of the surname Hitzl
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Hitzl are Hittel, Hettel, Höttel, Hettler, Heitzler, and Heitzl. It is slightly more common in Germany or Austria, but it is a shared surname among German and Austrian Jews.
Hitzl is derived from the Old German words "Heinz" and "el" meaning "estate of Heinz." The advantage of the name during feudal times was that it provided a clear link to the lord of the estate. Heinz and Hiutz were originally Germanic given names and eventually became part of common German surnames.
Hitzl is also sometimes spelled as Hittel, Höttel or Hettl, which all derive from the same original given name. These spellings are often used in the south-central region of Germany, specifically Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. The Hettl spelling is most commonly found in Austria.
The surname Heitzler also derives from the same root and is found in the same regions. In some areas, such as the city of Stuttgart, the name is almost always spelled Heitzler. However, in other areas the spelling of the name may vary.
The spelling Heitzl, which is common in some areas, comes from the diminutive form of the given name Heinz. In some regions the spelling is more common than the original Hitzl name.
Overall, the surname Hitzl is a very common German and Austrian surname and all of its variants share the same root, connecting them back to the given name Heinz. While the spellings vary depending on the region, all of the names will still trace back to the same root.
Famous people with the name Hitzl
- Herbert Hitzl: Herbert Hitzl was a German Vocational Training Minister from 1998-2005. He is most known for his work on strengthening the German education system.
- Reiner Hitzl: Reiner Hitzl was a German journalist, author, and politician. During the 1950s he served as State Secretary in the Bavarian Interior Ministry and was a member of the Bavarian State Parliament.
- Andreas Hitzl: Andreas Hitzl is a German footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for the FC Winterlingen.
- Rüdiger Hitzl: Rüdiger Hitzl is a German industrial engineer specializing in embedded IT systems. He currently serves as a consultant for numerous engineering and IT-related companies.
- Emil Hitzl: Emil Hitzl was a German politician who served in the Reichstag from 1903 to 1907.
- Mayer Hitzl: Mayer Hitzl was a German track cyclist and artist. He was known for his unique style of abstract painting.
- Martin Hitzl: Martin Hitzl is a Swiss chef and restaurateur, most notably known for opening the award winning Campfire restaurant in Zürich.
- Peter Hitzl: Peter Hitzl is an Austrian ski mountaineer who competed at the World Cup level.
- Florian Hitzl: Florian Hitzl is a former German footballer who played for various clubs in the German Bundesliga.
- Markus Hitzl: Markus Hitzl is an Austrian film and television editor, most notably known for editing the series Dead Mann Walking.