Surname Hartgen - Meaning and Origin
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Hartgen: What does the surname Hartgen mean?
The last name Hartgen has its roots in Germanic origins, being derived from the Old German term “hart”, which means “hard” or “strong”. It is likely that it was used as a surname indicating someone who was of a sturdy, hardworking disposition.
The surname is also thought to have appeared in the form of the old word ‘heertogh’, a term with a similar meaning, used to describe a man of strength and physical power. This makes sense, as Hartgen would have developed to be seen as an indicator for someone who was hard-working and resilient.
The most likely explanation is that the surname was given to families who had earned a reputation for their strength or courage. This could have involved bravery in battle or the courage to take on difficult tasks or projects, likely in the form of hard physical labor.
The Hartgen surname spread through Germany and beyond, to other countries across Europe. The spelling of the name evolved over time, with Hartgen appearing in many areas today from North America to Australia.
Whatever life brought for the families who took on the Hartgen name, it is clear that the “hardness” or “strength” of the people who shared this name remains to this day. They are a testament to the courage and tenacity of a determined and strong-willed family.
Order DNA origin analysisHartgen: Where does the name Hartgen come from?
The last name Hartgen is predominantly found in Germany. According to MyHeritage, the Hartgen surname is most common in Germany where it is held by approximately 5,047 people, and it is also popular in Austria and the United States. It is estimated that there are between 200 and 2,000 people in the U.S. with this surname. In the United States, Hartgen is among the 10,000 most commonly used surnames.
The nickname ‘Hart’ has been used as a shortened version of the surname Hartgen over the years. It is possible this nickname may have originated from the German verb ‘hahren’, which means ‘to strike’ or ‘to hit’.
The origins of the Hartgen surname can be traced back to Germany in the 1300s. In Germany during the medieval times, last names were originally patronymic, which meant they were derived from the first name of a male ancestor, usually the father. In the case of Hartgen, the name is derived from the German personal name Harto, which is made up of two Old German words meaning ‘hard’ and ‘bold’.
Today, the Hartgen surname is still prominent throughout Germany, Austria and the United States. The majority of descendants of the original Hartgen name reside in Germany, but those in the United States can trace their ancestry back to German immigrants who arrived in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Variations of the surname Hartgen
The surname Hartgen has multiple variants in the form of spellings and surnames of the same origin.
Hartgen originated from Germany or various parts of Europe. The earliest recorded Hartgen is assumed to have lived in the region in the Middle Ages, when such records were scarce. As time went on, the spelling of the surname changed and evolved into multiple variants.
Hartgen is typically spelt as Hartgen (some also spelt as Harting).
Variants of this surname could include Hartigan, Harthen, Harthenn, Hartene, Hartun, Hartan, Harting, Härtgen, Hartjes, Hartje, Hartman, Herrhausen, Herrhausen, Hartvig, Wharting, Harthing, Harrting, Harthington, Hartingtoun and Hardong.
In other parts of Europe, such as the Netherlands, variants of Hartgen include Hartgerink, Hartgring, Hartgerings and Hartgerinken.
In Poland, the surname is spelt as Hartchan and in some parts of the UK, Hartgen is spelt as Hardinge or Harding.
In Germany, the variants for Hartgen include Hertgen, Hartgens and Hertgens.
Many variations of this surname in Germany are also spelt as Hochhausen, such as Hochhausen, Hohehausen, Hoechehausen, Huechhausen, Huechehausen, Hohehaeusen, Hoehaeusen and Huehaeusen.
In summary, there are various variants and spellings of the surname Hartgen worldwide. These include Hart, Hartman, Herrhausen, Herrhausen, Hartvig, Wharting, Harthing, Harrting, Harthington, Hartingtoun, Hardong, Hartgerink, Hartgring, Hartgerings, Hartgerinken, Hartchan, Hardinge and Harding in countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Poland.
Famous people with the name Hartgen
- Kobe Hartgen: Professional ice hockey player in the American Hockey League
- Konrad Hartgen: Former professional football player in the Netherlands
- Adam Hartgen: Professional golfer on the Nationwide Tour
- Jennifer Hartgen: American model and television personality
- Tom Hartgen: Award-winning journalist and broadcaster
- Robert Hartgen: American television actor
- Richard Hartgen: President of the National Coalition of Boys and Girls Clubs
- Sandra Hartgen: Writer, author, and public speaker
- Jeff Hartgen: American attorney specializing in sports law
- Maria Hartgen: Austrian-born actress in films, television and stage
- George Hartgen: American musical composer and conductor
- Paul Hartgen: German organist, conductor, composer and educator
- Wilhelm Hartgen: German mathematician and physicist
- Ben Hartgen: American stunt actor and stunt coordinator
- David Hartgen: American environmentalist and conservationist