Surname Hulce - Meaning and Origin

Hulce: What does the surname Hulce mean?

Hulce is an English surname originating in the Middle Ages. The meaning of the name is believed to be derived from hulc, an Old English word meaning "stout" or "strong". As such, it is likely a nickname for someone who was physically impressive or strong, or someone who was determined and hard-working.

The name Hulce is believed to have first appeared in written records in Yorkshire in the 13th century. By the 16th century, the name had spread to other parts of England, particularly the surrounding area of Norfolk and Essex.

The Hulce surname has a few variants, such as Hugel, Hulse, and Huslet. These variations were likely caused by the phonetic spelling of the name. As spelling of surnames was not standardized until the 19th century, it is possible that the same family could have been spelled multiple ways in different records.

Today, the name Hulce is most often found in the United States. It can be found most commonly in Ohio and Pennsylvania, though there remains a small number of Hulces living in other countries, such as Canada and the United Kingdom.

The Hulces were believed to have a strong work ethic and determination, which helped the family to achieve success over the centuries. The name is a reminder of the hard work and perseverance needed in order to achieve success.

Hulce: Where does the name Hulce come from?

The last name Hulce is most commonly found in the United States today, where it originated in the 1600s. It has mostly spread along the East Coast, with records showing that the largest concentrations of the surname are located in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The name is believed to have originated as an English habitational surname — meaning it was derived from the name of a place where the original bearer once lived. There is also speculation that the name derived from the Old French word “hulce”, which was a type of physical handle or bar.

The name may also have been derived from an Old English word “hulce”, meaning bare hill. Over the centuries, the origin of Hulce has often been debated, though many people now agree that the surname originally derived from an English locale.

Hulce is also a fairly common surname in England, Australia, and Canada, with records showing that this surname has been identified in all three of these countries. It is also quite common in French-speaking regions around the world, primarily due to the French influence in Quebec.

In terms of numbers, the surname Hulce remains relatively scarce around the globe, with an estimated 9,500 people currently sharing this last name. However, across the United States, the name is still very recognizable, with records showing that nearly 1,500 individuals have the Hulce surname today.

Variations of the surname Hulce

The surname Hulce is a variant of the more popular and widely recognized surname Hulse. The latter is typically seen in England and other English speaking countries. The spelling of Hulce has also been seen in some instances, but is not common.

Other variants of the surname Hulce include Hulcy, Holce, Houls, and Houlce. All of these surnames are derived from the old English word 'hyll' meaning 'hill' or 'mound'. This could denote a locality with such geography, or an individual named after a geographical landmark.

The surname Hulce may also be related to the Dutch surnames Hulst and Hulsman which share a similar etymology. Hulst originates from the Dutch town of Hulst near the Netherlands-Belgium border. The Dutch surnames are both related to the German surname Hulst (Rocky Hill).

The surname is not an uncommon one in parts of the United States as well, but the spelling may vary between Hulce and Hulse. Census records from the 1800's in Ohio point to individuals with this surname whose ancestors were German immigrants.

To conclude, the surname Hulce is a variant of the more widely used surname Hulse. It may be related to other spellings of the same name as well as to surnames derived from the same etymology, such as Hulst and Hulsman. The surname is not uncommon in the United States and is found in records from the 1800's in Ohio.

Famous people with the name Hulce

• Tom Hulce: a distinguished American actor who is best known for his iconic roles in blockbusters such as Amadeus, Animal House, and The Big Chill.
• Dudley Hulce: an American actor and producer who has appeared in several movies, including The Shawshank Redemption, The Truman Show, and Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise.
• Marisa Hulce: an American actress, most famous for her roles in films such as The Break-Up, Isn't She Great, and I Heart Huckabees.
• Dallas Hulce: an American comedian and comedy writer who has written for television shows such as Saturday Night Live and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
• Ellen Hulce: an American voice actress whose roles include voicing Midge in the classic cartoon series The Simpsons.
• Justin Hulce: an American musician and record producer who has worked with artists such as Ringo Starr, Jeff Beck, and Dolly Parton.
• Brad Hulce: an American film director who has directed several films, such as The Perfect Storm and Chilly Christmas.
• Abigail Hulce: an American singer/songwriter who has released albums such as Follow the Light and House of Glass.
• Amanda Hulce: an American stage and film actress best known for her roles in productions such as God of Carnage and The Comedy of Errors.
• Forrest Hulce: an American screenwriter and director who has written films such as The House of Yes and Midnight Diner.

Other surnames

Hulcher