Surname Hundertmark - Meaning and Origin
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Hundertmark: What does the surname Hundertmark mean?
The surname Hundertmark is German in origin and derived from the word "Hundert", which means "hundred," as well as "Mark," which means "man" or "person." It is believed that the origin of the name is an occupational name, signifying someone who was a keeper of a hundred marks (an accounting measure or unit of currency). The name also appeared as "Hendrickmark" in Lower Saxony.
Hundertmark is a common surname found in Germany, although it is also found in other parts of Europe, such as the Netherlands, Switzerland, France, and Austria. In the United States, it has traditionally had a scattered distribution in the past, although today it is widespread and common in many states.
The name Hundertmark was further formed as a patronymic surname from the personal name "Heintz" or "Heinrich" (Henry). This name was once a popular name in Germany due to its religious significance, as well as its patronage due to the popularity of the medieval river god Heintz, who was credited with taking away sicknesses in the Germanic countries.
As an occupational name, Hundertmark signified someone who was in charge of collecting and recording money or goods for trade. In many cases, the surname also served to indicate a person's social standing and/or origin.
Today Hundertmark has come to mean a person who is trustworthy and reliable. It is considered a respectable surname and many families who carry this name are proud of it.
Order DNA origin analysisHundertmark: Where does the name Hundertmark come from?
The last name Hundertmark is most commonly found in Germany today. Specifically, it is most commonly found in the states of Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. The name originally spread from its home in Bavaria throughout Germany in the 1900s, and is now found across much of the country. It is still at its highest concentration in these two states.
The name originates from Bavarian times in Germany, when people had to pay 100 marks for their own protection. The name means literally “100 marks.” It is believed that the name was originally given to sons of German soldiers or officers when they had been paid 100 marks in exchange for their service. Over time, this led to the last name spreading out from its origins and becoming commonly associated in Germany with people of Bavarian or German descent.
It is believed that there are approximately 3,700 people that currently share the last name Hundertmark in Germany today. Plans are currently underway to consider whether the name should be granted surnames rights in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein. This would recognize Hundertmark as an official hometown surname within the state.
The name is also starting to spread elsewhere internationally. It can now be found in the USA, Canada, Brazil, and other countries outside of Germany. All in all, the last name Hundertmark is most commonly found in Germany today, in particular the states of Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. It is also continuing to spread to other countries, as more and more people with the surname move abroad.
Variations of the surname Hundertmark
The surname Hundertmark is of German origin, with variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin including Hundermarck, Hindermarck, Hundermarkt, Hundermarckt, Hendermarck, Handermark, Endermark, Endemark, Endemark, and Hunderdmark. It is a topographical surname from the Low German phrase “hund marck”, meaning “hundred acre forest”.
An older term for a parcel of land called a “mark” can date back to the Middle Ages when it was a measurement of the amount of land that could be cultivated by a pair of oxen in a day. The term is derived from an old Germanic word for “to be strong” and refers to how far a force could travel. This practicality is still seen in use today in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Hundertmark is often seen a variant of other surnames, such as Hendersmark, Hindermark, Hindermarkt, and Hundermarkt, indicating someone with a large plot of land in a hundred acres or more in size. The related surnames of Hönder and Höndermarkt indicate someone who was likely a steward of this large parcel of land. In some cases, the name may also be attributed to people who measured or managed these estates.
The surname Hundertmark is still found in many parts of northern Germany, including Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Saxony. It can also be found among the populations of the former German colonies of Eastern Europe, including what is now Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine and Russia. Today, there may be many descendants carrying this name in various countries, although the exact number is difficult to determine.
Famous people with the name Hundertmark
- Christian Hundertmark, German field hockey player
- Paul Hundertmark, former German footballer
- Brian Hundertmark, Minnesota volleyball coach
- Mary Hundertmark, German-American artist
- Eric Hundertmark, French freestyle skier
- Alonzo Hundertmark, former US Army Information Officer
- Juergen Hundertmark, German-Canadian diver
- Peter Hundertmark, German jazz musician
- David Hundertmark, executive director of the Florida Bar Foundation
- Joanne Hundertmark, senior professor at Northeastern University