Surname Hört - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Hört: What does the surname Hört mean?
The last name Hört is a German surname of unknown origin. It is thought to have been in use since the Middle Ages, with records dating back to as early as the 14th century. The name is derived from the German verb ‘hören’ which means ‘to hear’ or ‘hearken’. That is to say, this name may have originally been taken to reflect a characteristic quality of a particular family’s lineage, that being a particularly strong sense of attentiveness or perceptiveness.
The name Hört is also found in Sweden, Denmark and other Scandinavian countries, but its true origin is still uncertain. It is possible that the name may originally have been derived from a medieval Swedish word ‘höra’ meaning ‘horse’, or that the name could represent a shortened version of an old Swedish name ‘Hehr’ or ‘Hörth’, which comes from the old Germanic word ‘heork’ which means ‘to listen’.
In modern times, the name Hört continues to be a popular and well-known surname throughout many German-speaking countries, as well as other parts of the world. It signifies a family's attentive, even perceptive or insightful, lineage, which has strong roots in Germanic culture and remains to this day.
Order DNA origin analysisHört: Where does the name Hört come from?
The surname Hört is a popular German surname, today primarily found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
In Germany, the name is most prevalent in the states of Bavaria, Berlin, and Schleswig-Holstein, particularly along the northern coast. It is also quite popular in Austria, primarily in the states of Vienna, Lower Austria, and Tyrol.
The earliest known mentions of the name date back to 1374 in Austria and 1408 in Germany, so the surname is likely hundreds of years old. It is derived from a nickname referring to someone who was known to be firm and resolute, from the German verb “hören”, meaning “to hear” or “to listen”.
Today, the name is fairly widespread in German-speaking countries, including in the United States and Canada, where many immigrants from Europe brought the name with them in the 19th and 20th centuries. The name is also found in English-speaking countries, especially those with large German-speaking populations like South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Hört
Hört is a German surname with two alternate spellings. The most common spelling is Hört while the other is Hoert. The surname originates from the Middle German word “hören,” meaning to listen or to hear. The surname was originally used as an occupational name for someone who was an auditor or a listener.
Variations of the surname include, Horrt, Hert, Hoerrt, Hart, Hartt, Herdt, Herd and Herz. Other surnames of similar origin include Hoering, Höber, and Hötger.
Variant surnames also exist in other countries as a result of immigration of the name-bearer. Some variant surnames include Hort in Poland, Oort in the Netherlands, Orrt in Czech Republic, Oct in Brazil and O’Hort in Ireland.
Nicknames and diminutives of the name Hört include Hoerty, Hertke, Hertlein, Hertel, Herta, and Hertel.
Another variant of the surname includes surnames originating from a place with a name derived from the root word “hören.” Examples of such surnames include Herden, Herdt, Heerdt, Herdenberg, Herdes, and De Hoerd.
In some cases, the surname Hört has been altered to Hirt, due to the confusion between the words “hören” and “hirt” (meaning shepherd). Therefore, surnames such as Hirt, Hirte, and Hirten also stem from the original surname Hört.
Famous people with the name Hört
- Andreas Hört: a German football goalkeeper, best known as for his time at FSV Zwickau.
- Johanne Hört: a German soprano and one of the leading female vocal soloists of her generation.
- Michael Hört: a German social entrepreneur and the founder of the Bicycle Academy, a platform to promote cycling in Germany.
- Paul-Heinz Hört: a German ophthalmologist and professor at the University of Jena.
- Jörg Hört: a German former professional footballer, who was the captain of Borussia Mönchengladbach during the 1990s.
- Bernd Hört: a German former professional footballer and coach, best known for his time as manager of MSV Duisburg in the Bundesliga.
- Konrad Hört: a German professor of zoology at the University of Göttingen.
- Herbert Hört: a German classical music composer and church musician, best known for his oratorios.
- Egon Hört: a German former rally driver best known for participating in the 1959 and 1960 Monte Carlo Rallies.
- Ulrich Hört: a German former professional footballer who spent his entire career at Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga.