Surname Hanfstengl - Meaning and Origin

Hanfstengl: What does the surname Hanfstengl mean?

The last name Hanfstengl is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German term "hanfstengel" which means "hemp stalk". This surname was likely used to identify someone who harvested, processed, or sold hemp.

In the Middle Ages hemp was widely used to make items such as talismans, fabrics, rope, and sailcloth, and as an early source of paper production. It is most likely that those with the Hanfstengl surname were farmers who grew and sold hemp as a source of income.

The Hanfstengl surname can also be found in the form "Hempstengel", indicating that at different points in history the spelling and later pronunciation of the surname changed slightly. The surname is most commonly found in the areas of Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia, according to records.

Over time the Hanfstengl surname may have chosen to distinguish itself from other similar surnames, possibly by anglicising the spelling for instance, to look more distanced from its agricultural farming roots. To this day, the Hanfstengl surname still exists in many places across Europe, and continues to be found around the world.

Hanfstengl: Where does the name Hanfstengl come from?

The last name Hanfstengl is most commonly found in Germany today. It is derived from two German words, "Hanf," meaning hemp, and "Stengl," meaning stem or twig. Hanfstengl is an uncommon surname and among the early records of those bearing the name, some can be found in the areas of Silesia, Prussia and Bavaria dating back to the 15th century. There are also records of the name in the Polish province of Pomerania.

Today, the most concentrated population of people bearing the name Hanfstengl live in Germany, mainly within the country's southern regions. Notably, Hanfstengls have roots in the Regensburg area of Bavaria, which is where most families with this surname are thought to originate from.

Over time, the last name has been adapted from various sources, though the core pronunciation has remained the same. Some Hanfstengls may have spelled their name as Hanstengl or Handstengl.

Other countries where the name Hanfstengl can be found today include Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Hungary and the Czech Republic. However, it remains a relatively uncommon name worldwide.

Variations of the surname Hanfstengl

The surname Hanfstengl is of German origin and is associated with the English-language spelling of Hanfstaengl. It is often spelled with the variant Haenfstengl or Haenfstaengl. In some instances, the name may be spelled with the alternative spelling of Hänfstengl, with the last letter being an umlaut "ä". Other variants have also been found, such as Handstengl, Hanfsteangl, Hanfstickl, Hanfisch, Hanpf-Staengl, and Hanfschangl.

The surname Hanfstengl is generally thought to have derived from the German words "hanf" and "stangl". Hanf is the German word for hemp, a fibrous material that was used for several purposes throughout Europe. Stangl is the German word for a rod or pole; hemp poles were commonly used in Germany and nearby countries for various purposes, such as making fishing nets.

The surname is also associated with several distinct lineages that share the same derivation. These include the Hanfstängl, Hanftängl, Haenftangl, Hanfschenkel, Hanfschangl, Hanfstaengl, Hannstaengl, Hänftsengl, Hanpf-Staengl, Hanfstaengl Blaser, and Hanfstochl lineages.

Hanfstaengl is an uncommon surname in the United States, and is more commonly found in Germany and other areas of Europe. It is also an accepted spelling for the same lineages in other European countries, including Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg.

Famous people with the name Hanfstengl

• Putzi Hanfstengl: was an early friend and personal assistant to Adolf Hitler, as well as a financial backer of the Nazi Party.
• Ernst Hanfstaengl: was a German-American businessman, art publisher, and foreign policy adviser to Adolf Hitler.
• Harro von Hanfstaengl: was a German political figure and oil magnate, who was active in the National Socialist Party.
• Baroness Margaret de Hanfstaengl: was a German aristocrat who was married to Ernst Hanfstaengl and mother to their children Harro and Erna.
• Erna Hanfstaengl: was an Austrian-born artist and singer who served as a confidante to Adolf Hitler during World War II.
• Ulrich Hanfstaengl: was the great-grandson of Ernst Hanfstaengl and a celebrated art publisher, book collector, and art historian.
• Margarete Hanfstaengl: was an Austrian teacher, pianist, and the great-granddaughter of Ernst Hanfstaengl.
• Ulrika Voss Hanfstaengl: was the great-granddaughter of Ernst Hanfstaengl and the daughter of rum exports pioneer and art publisher Arthur Voss.
• Hans Hanfstaengl: was the son of the art publisher Ernst Hanfstaengl and the great-grandson of Putzi Hanfstaengl.

Other surnames

Hanfstengel