Surname Hochsprung - Meaning and Origin

Hochsprung: What does the surname Hochsprung mean?

The last name Hochsprung is thought to be of German origin and is likely derived from the Middle High German word “hohsprung”. The literal translation of this word is "high jump," which often leads to the interpretation of the name meaning "high jumper" or "one who leaps high."

This could be linked to a former occupation or some former proficiency in leaping or jumping high, perhaps used by farmers to reach higher fruit on trees or by laborers to help build with greater heights. Alternatively, the surname may have been taken nick-name style to depict someone of a taller stature than others.

More broadly, the name could be interpreted as meaning valor and great effort. Throughout the centuries, leaping higher than one's peers has been highly valued and regarded as a sign of strength or courage. This likely would have been even more important in days of the Middle Ages where physical prowess might be associated with success or ward off potential danger.

Without further context, the exact origin and precise meaning of the name Hochsprung can only be speculated. One can, however, be assured that it once signified something of great importance and value and likely to be remembered for centuries more.

Hochsprung: Where does the name Hochsprung come from?

The last name Hochsprung is commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland today. According to the United States Census Bureau, in the year 2000 the most commonly used variant of the name in the United States was Highspring.

The name Hochsprung can be found in Germany, where it has origins in medieval times and was first referenced in 1281 as a habitational name. It is originated from the Old High German word ‘sprunge’ which means jump, jump. This implies that the family are descendants of someone who was a jump or a rider of a horse.

In Switzerland, the last name is found mainly in the canton of Bern and the canton of Zurich. In these cantons, Hochsprung families were typically timber merchants, merchants of wood products, or smallhold farmers.

In Austria, Hochsprung is mainly found near Vienna in the lower Austrian region. The last name was mainly used by farmers, but also by the more affluent families of aristocrats and landowners.

While the name isn't widely found in the US, the variant Highspring can be found in the census records of the years 1790 to 1940. It is mainly found in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio.

Overall, the last name Hochsprung is today most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, with limited numbers also being found in the United States.

Variations of the surname Hochsprung

The surname Hochsprung is derived from the German word ‘hoch’ meaning ‘high’ and ‘sprung’ meaning ‘jump’. Therefore, it is usually translated to mean ‘high jump’. It can be spelled in various ways, such as Hopcsprung, Hopsprung, Hapcsprung, and Hapsprung.

The surname has been present in Germany since medieval times. It was most commonly found in the southern part of the country, mainly in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg region. In the 19th century, the popularity of the Hochsprung surname spread to other parts of Europe and beyond.

Common variants of the surname include Hopkovic, Shopsprung, and Hochpruck. There are also derivatives of the surname, such as Hochsprunger, meaning ‘descendent of the high jumper’, and Hochspringer, meaning ‘one who jumps high’.

As the surname spread across various countries, it also acquired nicknames. Examples include Hopke in Germany, Hopspringer in Austria, and the Jewish version of the surname, Szprynger.

In the modern world, the Hochsprung surname is still widely used in parts of Europe, and its variants can be found in many other countries. It can be found in Germany, Austria, England, USA, Canada, Russia, Poland, Israel, India, and many other countries around the world.

Famous people with the name Hochsprung

• Dawn Hochsprung, former principal of Sandy Hook Elementary School
• Chris Hochsprung, former pitcher for the San Diego Padres
• Klaus Hochsprung, German footballer
• Lodovico Hochsprung, Italian mathematician
• Marielle Hochsprung, American author
• Nancy Hochsprung, American opera singer
• Paul Hochsprung, German music composer
• Poul Hochsprung, Danish painter
• Robert Hochsprung, German entrepreneur
• Samuel Hochsprung, Austrian writer

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