Surname Hantsch - Meaning and Origin
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Hantsch: What does the surname Hantsch mean?
The German last name Hantsch is an occupational name derived from the Middle High German word “hantsche”, meaning “cloth merchant” or “knotter”—the wooden tool used to stretch and pull fabric during the garment-making process. As such, Hantsch probably originally referred to a person whose job was related to textiles.
This surname can be traced back to 16th century Germany, where records for people with the name first appear. Since then, it has spread across Europe, and then around the world. In the United States, the first documented appearance of the Hantsch name was in 1851.
Today, this surname is most commonly found in Germany and Austria. Outside of German-speaking countries, Hantsch is most common in the United States, where it ranks close to #20,000 in terms of popularity.
The meaning of the name Hantsch, however, remains relevant today in many ways. Those who bear the surname continue to have professions related to textiles, such as professional seamstresses, seamsters, knitters, or tailors. Hantsch also embodies the idea of hard work and determination, traits for which individuals with this surname are known.
Order DNA origin analysisHantsch: Where does the name Hantsch come from?
The last name Hantsch is most commonly found in German-speaking countries, particularly in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. There it is a fairly common last name, although there are variations, including the alternate spellings Hentsch and Hentzsch. The Hantsch name is believed to come from the Old German word “haunz” which translates to “house” or “home”, so those with the last name likely have ancestors that were once landowners.
Germany is the most likely place to find people with the last name Hantsch, with estimates that there are between 10,000 and 11,500 people living in Germany today with the name. Behind Germany, the next most likely place to find people with the name is Austria, where the number of people carrying the name is estimated to be between 2,000 and 4,500 people. In Switzerland, around 400 people carry the last name.
Outside of German-speaking countries, the name Hantsch is rare, although there are some in the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada. It is uncommon in most other countries.
The name Hantsch is slowly growing in popularity, particularly in Germany and other German-speaking countries. It is increasingly becoming a more common last name as more people embrace the surname and continue to use it in their families.
Variations of the surname Hantsch
The surname Hantsch is believed to have several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Examples of these are Hanstch, Haentsch, Hansch, Handtsch, Hanscht, Hanstchke, Hantsche, Handsch, Hantsker, Hantschke, Hanzch, Handzchke, Handzchmann, Hantschmann, Handzche, and Handtzche.
The variants are derived from the German word, ‘Hant’, meaning ‘hammer’. It is thought that all variations of the name began as occupational surnames that were used to describe workers who made and used hammers.
In Austria, the different spellings and surnames of the same origin are further divided into several regional subgroups, such as Handtschner, Hansch, Hanstchker, Handsch, Handstchke and Handtzche in the Upper Austria region; Hanzch and Handzchke in the Styria region; and Hantsche and Hantschke in the Tyrol region.
The most common spelling in the United States is Hantsch, which is believed to have originated in the late 19th or early 20th century. This spelling is also seen in countries such as Switzerland, England, Scotland, Ireland, Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia and Austria.
In some cases, the surname may even have been transformed into the form Handt in South Africa, although this is less common.
In summary, the surname Hantsch has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin that can be found all over the world. It is thought to be derived from an occupational name, ‘Hant’, meaning ‘hammer’, that was used to describe those who worked with and used hammers.
Famous people with the name Hantsch
- Emil Hantsch: Austrian theologian
- Christoph Hantsch: Austrian ice hockey player
- Georg Hantsch: Austrian Olympic sailor
- Joseph Hantsch: Austrian physicist
- Sharen Hantsch: German stage actor
- Frank Hantsch: Austrian alpine ski racer
- Isabella Hantsch: German athlete
- Margot Hantsch: East German athlete
- Frank-Michael Hantsch: German actor
- Gustav Hantsch: Austrian commandant of a penal institution