Surname Hochstettler - Meaning and Origin

Hochstettler: What does the surname Hochstettler mean?

The last name Hochstettler originates from the German language and is a variation of the last name Hochstetter, meaning "high stationer". This surname likely refers to someone who occupied a high station such as a noble, judge, or politician in local government, as the word "Hoch" references a high rank or position.

Throughout Germany, many variations of the name have arisen, including but not limited to, Hochsteckler, Hochsteuller, and Hochstättler. This can be attributed to the swirling language of the area as mutations and misunderstandings of dialects led certain sounds and words to be transformed into something new.

The first recorded version of this surname was found in the mid-16th century in the Silesia region near modern-day Czechoslovakia, and its current versions appear mostly in German-speaking regions.

The locations in which one can find this last name vary, with it being most commonly found in the United States, Germany, Australia, Switzerland, and Canada. This could, in part, be attributed to their immigration of the 1800s and 1900s, when many Europeans fleeing socio-economic hardship and religious persecution set out to find a better life in North America.

The legacy of the Hochstettler name lives on around the world, and many of its members can be proud of the proud history and strength the name holds.

Hochstettler: Where does the name Hochstettler come from?

The last name Hochstettler is most commonly found in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions of the United States. The majority of those who bear the last name can trace their roots back to Amish or Mennonite heritage.

In the U.S., these people mostly live in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. Other states where the last name is common include New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Hochstettler is also found in other areas around the world, including Europe, Canada, and South America.

The name first appears when early Amish settlers migrated from Switzerland and Alsace to the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries. Although the spelling appears to be traditional German, the name is most likely derived from Alsatian. It is a combination of two German words, namely "hoch" meaning "high" and "stet" meaning "stand".

The Hochstettler family is closely connected with other families in their settlement. They soon settled in predominately Swiss or German-speaking areas where they shared common ancestry. Today their robust tradition of faith, family, and hard work continues to be celebrated, and their name can be found in different parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Hochstettler

The surname Hochstettler is believed to originate from Switzerland or Germany. It is derived from the German elements ‘hoch’, meaning ‘high’ or ‘tall’, and 'Steller' or 'Stetter', which means ‘steadfast’ or ‘established’.

Variations of the surname Hochstettler include Highsteeter, Highstetter, Hiestetter, and Hiestetter. Other variations include Huckstetter, Hochstenetter, Hockstetter, Hockstetter and Hochstetler.

In Switzerland, the variants of this surname are ‘Hochstadtler’, ‘Hochstadeler’, ‘Hagestadler’ and ‘Hagestertler’. Although these spellings are obviously different, they are all derivatives of the original ‘Hochstettler’.

Certain variants and spellings have become more associated with certain countries than others. For instance, the surname ‘Hiestetter’ is more commonly encountered in the United States, and ‘Huckstetter’ in Germany or Austria.

In Latin countries the variants of this surname are ‘Ochstetter’, ‘Auchstetter’ and ‘Auchstetter’. In England, the surnames ‘Hockstettler’, ‘Hochstetler’ and ‘Hockstill’ are more common.

Finally, some other spellings found in old records include ‘Hochsterdler’, ‘Hochstater’, ‘Hochstaffer’ and ‘Hochstecker’.

Famous people with the name Hochstettler

• John Hochstettler: John Hochstettler is an American soap opera actor. He is well known for portraying the role of Jonathan Hochstettler on the soap opera All My Children from 2003 to 2006 and in 2009.
• Jacob Hochstettler: Jacob Hochstettler was a private in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He was a martyr in 1779 when Native Americans captured him while he was out hunting and then tortured him to death.
• Norman Andrew Hochstettler: Norman Andrew Hochstettler is an American actor known for his performances in Fastlane and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
• Marlene Hochstettler: Marlene Hochstettler is an American actress who is best known for her roles in the films It's a Wonderful Life and The Magnificent Seven.
• Luella Hochstettler: Luella Hochstettler was a Pennsylvania-born Amish author and activist who fought for the rights of the Amish people in the 19th century.
• Donald H. Hochstettler: Donald H. Hochstettler is an American academic and author specializing in the history of the Southwestern United States, especially the history of the Amish in Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
• Katra Hochstettler: Katra Hochstettler is a singer-songwriter from the Netherlands who is best known for her cover of Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On.
• Nicole Hochstettler: Nicole Hochstettler is an American figure skater. She is a 3-time national champion and Qualifier for the 2018 Olympics.
• Jesse Hochstettler: Jesse Hochstettler is an American soccer player who currently plays for Saint Louis F.C. in the United Soccer League.
• Abigail Hochstettler: Abigail Hochstettler is an American actress known for her roles in the television show The Fosters and the movie She's Out of My League.

Other surnames

Hochstetter