Surname Härtje - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Härtje: What does the surname Härtje mean?
The last name Härtje is a German name originating from the Middle High German word “hárt”, meaning “strong” or “tough”. It is believed that this name was used to denote individuals who were brave and courageous. It is also possible that the name was used as an occupational surname to denote a person who was a blacksmith.
The earliest record of this surname was found in the year 1200, when Hocart of Hainstubbe appeared in the records of the Vogtei of Lauchheim in Baden-Wurttemberg. The spelling of the surname gradually changed over the centuries with records from the 1500s showing it as “Hertze” and eventually modern records showing it as “Härtje”.
In modern times, the Härtje surname is still found within Germany, primarily in the areas of Lower Saxony and Baden-Württemberg. It is a very common last name in these areas, as well as in Austria.
In America, the Härtje name has been present since at least the mid 19th century when members of the Härtje family began to arrive in San Francisco after fleeing political persecution in Germany. Some members of the family set sail for New York where the name had become “Hartje”, while others ventured into the Midwest towards Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Today, members of the Härtje family can be found throughout America, with many belonging to organizations such as the German-American Heritage Association. As a testament to their forefathers, modern members of the family still proudly bear the surname Härtje as a reminder of their strong and courageous ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisHärtje: Where does the name Härtje come from?
The last name Härtje is a rare German-language patronymic surname originating mainly from the Netherlands and Northern Germany. As of March 2021, it is not one of the top 1000 surnames in Germany, meaning it is uncommon. The name Härtje is often found in rural areas of the Netherlands and northern Germany, likely due to its geographic spread in these areas.
In Germany, the name Härtje is most common in the states of Lower Saxony and Bremen. The largest concentration of people with the surname Härtje is in the towns and villages of Bramstedt, Brausy, Bülitz, Esens, Hammermühle, Hahnenklee, Hodenhagen, Moormerland, Niederhaverbeck, Nordenham and Westerbevern.
In the Netherlands, Härtje is found in the Province of Groningen, and in cities including Winschoten, Drenthe, Assen and Emsland. One of the most famous bearer of the name Härtje is the Dutch director, Rob Härtje. Other prominent individuals carrying this surnames are Dutch actor Freek de Jonge, Dutch model Vera Härtje and German footballer Jürgen Härtje.
The original spelling of the name Härtje is an old German name formed from the Old German first name "Harro", a cognate of "Henry". It is derived from the Germanic elements "haima", meaning "home" and "hruod", meaning "fame" or "glory".
Variations of the surname Härtje
Härtje is a surname derived from the German word "hart" which translates to "hard" or "tough". This surname can come in many variants, spellings and related surnames, including Hart, Harte, Hardt, Hardte, Hahrt, Hartley, Hahrt, Harrte, Hohrt, Hartje, Hartge, Hartgen, Heart, Harter, Hardey, as well as many others.
One of the most common variants of the surname Härtje is Hart, which is the English version of the German surname as well as a popular surname among families living in the United States. The spellings that are typically used for the name Hart are Harrt and Hahrt.
The surname Hardt is another popular variant, which is derived from the same German root as that of Hart. Some of the most common spellings of this surname are Hardte, Hohrt, Hartje, and Hartge.
The surname Harrte is derived from a derivative of the German root hart. It is typically spelled as Harrte, Hartgen, and Heart.
The surname Hardey could also be a variant of the Härtje surname. It is typically spelled Hardey, but could also be a derivative of the German surname "Hardt".
Overall, it is clear to see that the surname Härtje has many variants, spellings and related surnames. Depending on the region where someone is located, they may use a variation of the surname that is more commonly found in that area. As such, it is important to be mindful of the different spellings and variants of the surname when researching its history.
Famous people with the name Härtje
- Achim Härtje: German actor best known for his portrayal of Manni in 'Warrior of the Lost World'.
- Chris Härtje: German YouTuber and diary vlogger, popular in the Northrhine-Westphalia area.
- Eckard Härtje: German entrepreneur and businessman best known for his involvement in the development of the Automotive industry in Germany.
- Gerhard Härtje: Former German tennis player, known for having won the Liebherr French Open in 1999.
- Helmut Härtje: German volleyball player and Olympic medalist in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
- Hilde Härtje: German actress and screenwriter, best known for her work on the television series 'Niezwerchlieben'.
- Johann Härtje: Swiss painter and sculptor, best known for his wax sculptures of famous historical figures.
- Leonard Härtje: German playwright and professor at the University of Bonn, renowned for his works on the relationship between media and politics.
- Maria Härtje: German television personality and model, known for her appearances on the music television show ‘Lemonade’.
- Paula Härtje: German psychologist and psychoanalyst, creator of the Härtje Method and author of the acclaimed book, 'The Simpler Life'.