Surname Hochstetler - Meaning and Origin
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Hochstetler: What does the surname Hochstetler mean?
The last name Hochstetler is derived from the German word "Hochstette," which literally translates to "high post or hill." It is a surname of endearing significance and can be found in North American countries, as well as among European immigrants and settlers.
The last name Hochstetler is thought to have originated from the Palatine or Alsace Lorraine regions of present-day Germany. It was used originally as a topographic or locational surname, which was commonly used by people who lived or worked near a recognizable geographic feature.
The surname Hochstetler can also be found among North American immigrants who emigrated from their German ancestral home to both the USA and Canada in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Here, it was used among by the Mennonite immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and other parts of the Midwest. The Mennonites used Hochstetler as an identifier of their faith, and it remains an important part of the Mennonite cultural identity today.
Overall, the last name Hochstetler is an interesting archaeological find, and is associated with the rank that is associated with a high post or hill. As part of the North American and European immigrants' travelling story, it is a testament of dedication and perseverance.
Order DNA origin analysisHochstetler: Where does the name Hochstetler come from?
The last name Hochstetler is an old German Mennonite family name with origins in southern Germany. It is believed to stem from an occupational name for a farmer; literally translating to “high steward”.
Today, the last name Hochstetler is most common in the United States and Canada, particularly in areas where European immigrants first settled. This includes areas such as Pennsylvania, which has the highest concentration of Hochstetler surnames in the United States. American Mennonite communities in the Midwest also have a notable Hochstetler presence. In Canada, the surname is more commonly found the provinces of Ontario and Manitoba, both of which have sizable Mennonite enclaves.
Outside of North America, the last name is still found throughout southern parts of Germany and Switzerland. Austria, the Netherlands, and France are also known to have individuals bearing this name.
Given its origins as a Mennonite surname, its high concentration in areas with sizable Mennonite populations, and the decline in Mennonites in modern times, the last name Hochstetler stands out today as being deeply rooted in North American cultures and Mennonite heritage.
Variations of the surname Hochstetler
The surname Hochstetler originates from Germany and is thought to derive from the Middle High German words of 'hoch,' which translates to 'high,' and 'steteler,' which translates to 'pedlar' or 'vendor'. Variations, spellings, and alternate surnames of Hochstetler include Hochstadtler, Hochstader, Hochstatter, and Highstader. The Germanic language is known to have altered spellings throughout its history, meaning there are more variations and alternate spellings that exist for this surname. Wochstetler, Ochstetter, Hopstetter, and Hopstettler are some of the more obscure alternate spellings.
Variants of the Hochstetler surname can be found in countries like the United States, Canada, Netherlands, and even Brazil. This is due to the mass immigration of German-speaking people in the 1700s and 1800s who took the name with them and spread it across the globe. Today, there are thought to be millions of people who bear the surname, either in its original form or in its various mutations.
Though there are many countries that house people with the Hochstetler surname, most of them trace their origin back to the Palatinate region of Germany. The Palatinate was an area in the greater Rhineland region of Germany and was home to many German settlers between 1699 and 1709. It is thought that it is from this area that the Hochstetler surname was born.
Famous people with the name Hochstetler
- Elizabeth Hochstetler, film producer and founder of Modern Post Film House.
- Melinda Hochstetler, American synchronized swimmer who won a bronze medal at the 2003 World Aquatics Championships.
- Douglas Hochstetler, a professional skydiver and BASE jumper, who jumped at the World Match Championships and multiple USPA National Championships.
- Scott Hochstetler, a sculptor and painter based in Arizona.
- Mathew Hochstetler, founder and owner of the Deliberate Finances blog.
- Peter J. Hochstetler, founder and CEO of Ambry Genetics, a clinical laboratory company.
- Rick Hochstetler, musician, composer, and guitarist.
- David Hochstetler, chief of the Bureau of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs for the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
- Joanne Hochstetler, a biologist and executive director of Oklahoma Peacemakers, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating peace.
- Shaun Hochstetler, a Canadian entrepreneur who is the founder and CEO of Bountiful Technologies, an enterprise cloud and mobile technology services provider.