Surname Hegelein - Meaning and Origin
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Hegelein: What does the surname Hegelein mean?
The last name Hegelein is of German origin and derived from the Middle High German word "hag(e)," which means "fence," "hedge," or "enclosure." By extension, the name Hegelein can be interpreted to mean "little hedgerow" or "person from the small enclosed area." The surname is found throughout Germany today, but historically it was most commonly found in the state of Bavaria.
The Hegelein family name has been linked to many occupations, including farming, bricklaying, metalsmithing, and blacksmithing. In the Middle Ages when the name first appeared, the Hegelein family was most likely engaged in agricultural and metalworking activities. In more recent years, the surname has been used by many people to form professional partnerships and generate economic benefits.
It is likely that the Hegelein family name originally referred to a specific residence, but the exact location is unknown. It is thought that the name may have been used to describe a homestead, walled village, or other small enclave. Whatever its origins, the name Hegelein is associated with modern Germany’s culture, rural lifestyle, and economic development.
Order DNA origin analysisHegelein: Where does the name Hegelein come from?
The last name Hegelein is of German origin and is still mainly found within Germany. It was likely derived from the name Hegele, which is also a German surname. It may also be derived from a topographic name as it is derived from the Middle High German term heckel which mean hill by a stream or river.
Most records and statistics indicate that the last name Hegelein is located mainly in Bavaria, the largest and most densely populated state of Germany. The state contains a large proportion of the nation's population, and most of its inhabitants share a dialect of German known as Bavarian.
The highest concentration of the last name Hegelein is in the city of Würzburg, which is located in the northern part of Bavaria. The name Hegelein is also fairly common in other northern regions, including Lower Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse and Thuringia. It is also found in Austria, The Netherlands, Switzerland, the United States and Canada.
There are around 25,000 bearers of the last name Hegelein currently living in Germany. In Bavaria alone, there are an estimated 8,000 people with the surname Hegelein. With such a large population of people bearing the name, it is certain to remain an important part of the German identity for generations to come.
Variations of the surname Hegelein
The surname Hegelein is a German name derived from the Middle High German form of the personal name Hege. The variants, alternative spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Hegerlein, Hegerling, Heggeline, Heggelien, Hegele, Hegeline, Hegelien, Hegely, Heggelin, Hegely, Heggelin, Heggeling, Hogeling, and Hoegeling.
Hegelein is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from the given name of the father of the original bearer. The personal name Hege was a pet form of Hegewesta meaning “hawthorn” or “thorn bush”, and was used among the early Franks. This personal name was not only used by the Germans, but also by the Dutch.
By the 13th century, Hegewesta had taken on the form of Hege, and was used as an independent given name. This name became particularly popular in the Low Countries, being used by the Dutch, and the surrounding German and Flemish communities.
As the surname Hegelein spread, it became more common and lost some of its original spelling variations. Thus, while the base form of the name remained the same, the changed spelling of Hegelein into Hegerlein, Hegerling, Hegeline, Heggelien, Hegele, Hegeline, Hegelien, Hegely, Heggelin, Hegely, Heggelin, Heggeling, Hogeling and Hoegeling came about. The fact that the surname Hegelein is still in use today in many countries of the world is a testament to the widespread spread of the family throughout the centuries.
Famous people with the name Hegelein
- Heide Hegelein, German Olympic equestrian
- Erich Hegelein, German Col. WW2
- Kurt Hegelein, German soldier WW2
- Orlando Hegelein, a football player in the Regionalliga
- Jens Hegelein, German runner in the Munich Olympics
- Steven Hegelein, American graphic designer
- Hyatt Hegelein, an American media executive
- Alfred Hegelein, a German who played top-level rugby
- Helmut Hegelein, German Olympic high jumper
- Tim Hegelein, German documentary filmmaker