Surname Hochstaetter - Meaning and Origin

Hochstaetter: What does the surname Hochstaetter mean?

The last name Hochstaetter is of German origin. It is derived from the German word "hochstatten" which means "high place". This may have referred to a high-ranking nobleman or a person who lived on the mountaintop. It is also possible that the name could have evolved from the word "Hochstetter", which is derived from the Middle High German word "hochsteten" and means "to rise". The name could have been adopted by those who rose to a higher position in society or accomplished something great.

In the Medieval period, the family name could have been used to indicate a noble origin as well as career specialization. This could have included military rank, religious roles, professional trades and/or entrepreneurial accomplishments. Additionally, the name was also likely conferred as an honor for distinguished service.

Today, descendants of the Hochstaetter family are found throughout Europe. They are usually associated with countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, but many others can be found in other countries as a result of emigration. Common spellings of the name are Hochstätter or Hochstetter.

Hochstaetter: Where does the name Hochstaetter come from?

The name Hochstaetter is most commonly found in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Hungary today. It is also present throughout Eastern Europe, the United States, and Canada.

The origin of the last name Hochstaetter is German and comes from an occupational name for a taxator or public accountant. It is derived from the German word 'hoch', meaning 'high', and 'statter' or 'steter', meaning 'official', and refers to the high rank or office of the taxator. The name is also related to 'stadtar', meaning 'magistrate' or 'mayor'.

In the 1800s, a group of German emigrants bearing this last name made their way to the United States, settling in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois. Other Hochstaetters migrated to Canada during this period, mostly settling in Ontario. Currently, the highest concentration of people bearing the name Hochstaetter is found in the United States.

In Germany, you can find Hochstaetters in Bayern, especially in the Bavarian region of Allgemeiner and Oberbayern. In Austria, most people with the Hochstaetter surname are located in Niederosterreich and Steiermark. In Hungary, there is a large concentration of the name found in Budapest and in the counties of Szdszabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg and Vas.

Overall, the last name Hochstaetter is most commonly located in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, the United States, and Canada.

Variations of the surname Hochstaetter

The surnames Hochstaetter and Hochstatter are usually associated with a German-speaking Swiss origin, and are often spelled with an umlaut (Höchstätter and Höchstatter). The closest relatives of this surname are its variants: Hochstädler, Hochsteudler, Hochstetler, Hochstetter, Hochstädter, and Hochsteuter. Other variations of the spelling of Hochstaetter include Ho(e)chstädter, Holchstaetter, and Hochstadter.

In Switzerland, the variants of the surname Hochstaetter are particularly common in the Basel-Land, Graubünden, Berne, Solothurn, and Zurich cantons. In Germany, the name is most often found in the states of Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg. In Austria, variants of the surname are most common in the states of Tyrol and Vorarlberg. In all of the countries mentioned here, spelling variations are typically predominantly Germanic, as evidenced by the fact that sometimes the letters "oe" are used instead of "ö" or "ä".

In addition, the surname is most likely derived from the old German word hochstaedler, which was a name for those who lived in a higher or elevated area of land. Over time, the name became adopted by many families and spread to different parts of the world, resulting in many variations and spellings.

Due to the various spellings and variations of the surname, it is often difficult to trace family lineage for those with the Hochstaetter surname. However, it remains an interesting and unique surname that has been passed down through the generations.

Famous people with the name Hochstaetter

• José A. Hochstätter: Spanish classical and flamenco guitarist.
• Cindy Hochstätter: German footballer.
• Willem Hochstetter: Dutch explorer who wrote the first report on the geology of New Zealand's more remote regions.
• Grete Hochstetter: German member of the Nazi Party who was tried and convicted of war crimes.
• Pamela A. Hochstätter: American physician and assistant professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School.
• Jonathan Hochstatter: American orthopedic surgeon at Stanford University Medical Center.
• Johannes Hochstätter: German inventor who developed the modern dot matrix printer.
• Sybille Hochstetter-von Mauerer: German physician and botanist who wrote a text book about the medicinal plants of Germany.
• May E. Hochstätter: American entomologist focused on bee pathology.
• William Hochstetter: German-American professor of philosophy and religious studies at the University of Indianapolis.

Other surnames

Hochstaettler