Surname Hansch - Meaning and Origin
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Hansch: What does the surname Hansch mean?
The last name Hansch is an occupational surname stemming from the Middle High German words "hanse" and "hanske" meaning a merchant. It is derived from the occupation of one who was heavily involved in trading and commerce. During the Middle Ages, the Hansachs were considered to be a powerful, well-organized economic force in northern Europe. They were responsible for the foundation of city-states and controlling trade and commerce in the area.
The Hansch family has a long and interesting history in Germany and beyond. They can be traced back to the 12th century, when the earliest recorded Hansch ancestors in the region were involved in the salt trade. Later, the family would become very active in the trading of textiles, metals, and other goods between countries. In more recent times, the Hansch family has grown increasingly popular and can be found in many countries around the world.
The Hansch surname is common in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic, but has also spread to the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where many Hanschs live and work. To this day, the Hanschs are known for their entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic.
In short, the last name Hansch represents a legacy of strong, successful entrepreneurs who were involved in commerce and trading in Europe during the Middle Ages and continue to possess a spirit of resourcefulness and determination.
Order DNA origin analysisHansch: Where does the name Hansch come from?
The last name Hansch is most common in the German-speaking countries of Europe, particularly in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. According to a 2018 surname study, it is the 881st most common last name in Germany, making up approximately 0.012% of the population. Hansch is derived from the medieval given name "Hans," which is the Low German version of "Johannes," the German form of "John."
In the United States, there is also a significant presence of people named Hansch. According to the U.S. Census’s 2000 survey, there were approximately 4,100 individuals who had the last name Hansch. In 2016, the same survey recorded 5, 115 people with the last name Hansch, indicating a steady increase over time. The states with the highest proportions of people who have the last name Hansch are Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York.
Thus, even though the surname Hansch is not as common as it is in its home countries in Europe, it is still a popular last name in the United States and is likely to continue becoming increasingly common in the years ahead.
Variations of the surname Hansch
The surname Hansch is of German origin, and can be found in various spellings around the world. Variations of the surname include Hanisch, Hans, Hanschke, Hänsch, Hensch, Hänsch, Hansche, Hanse, Hance and Hanesse. In some parts of the world, the surname has also transformed into its English spelling of Hanse or Hance.
The original spelling of the surname is Hansch. It is found all over Germany, particularly in the Baden-Württemberg and Schleswig-Holstein regions. It also has a presence in Austria and the Czech Republic. In the Netherlands, it can be spelled Hans or Hanse, and in Sweden it is found as Hänsch. The most common variation, however, is Hanisch, which is mostly found in Germany and the surrounding countries.
The surname Hansch is derived from the German given name Johann, via the short form Hans. This name originates from the Hebrew name Yehohanan, meaning 'Jehovah has favoured'. This was a very popular given name during the Middle Ages, and was the reason for the plethora of surnames derived from it.
The modern descendants of the Hansch family are spread across Europe and the United States. They can often be identified by the inclusion of Hansch, Hanisch, or one of its numerous variations within their surnames.
Famous people with the name Hansch
- Katarina Hansch: German contemporary dancer, actress, and singer
- Oscar Hansch: German politician
- Marie-Luise Hansch: German women's rights activist and nurse
- Viktoria Hansch: German journalist
- Pavel Hansch: Czechoslovakian film director
- Quentin Hansch: French Olympic fencer
- Steve Hansch: German soccer player
- Hugo Hansch: German artist
- Paul Hansch: German resistance fighter
- Hans-Joachim Hansch: German surgeon and professor
- Kay Hansch: American playwright
- Lars Hansch: German Olympic rower
- Heike Hansch: German ceramics artist
- Carsten Hansch: German track and field athlete
- Peter Hansch: German soldier in World War II
- Constantin Hansch: German pianist and composer
- Alexander Hansch: German director, actor, and author
- Carlo Hansch: German race car driver
- Alfred Hansch: German World War I veteran
- Tina Hansch: German hydrogen fuel researcher