Surname Hegner - Meaning and Origin

Hegner: What does the surname Hegner mean?

The last name Hegner is of German origin and has become quite common throughout the world today. Its literal meaning is “hedge trimmer,” from the Middle High German word hegne (to cut down hedge). It is an occupational last name commonly associated with a variety of tradesmen such as gardeners, farmers, and tradesmen within the forest industry. The Hegner surname is typically considered to indicate one who tended to the hedgerows on either farms or in public parks.

The origin and usage of the Hegner surname can be traced back to the Middle Ages. During this time, it was common for Germans to use their given names combined with the name of their father’s occupation when creating a surname. This gave the surname an occupational description, that is, one who was a hedge trimmer. Today, Hegner is prized as a proud representation of German heritage and craftsmanship.

The Hegner name is now found among families of all backgrounds around the world. It is a prestigious surname of German origin that dates back hundreds of years and is still used proudly today.

Hegner: Where does the name Hegner come from?

The last name Hegner is most common in Germany, with Hegner families spread throughout the German states. According to multiple sources and genealogical research, Hegner is among the top 1000 surnames in Germany today.

The Hegner surname originated in the Niedersachsen region of northern Germany and is an Ashkenazic Jewish name. It means "hedge guard" or "hedge guardian" and it was probably used as a profession name for someone who worked in a garden or tended hedgerows.

The Hegner name seems to have spread in the late 1800s and early 1900s, as German nationals moved around the world seeking better opportunities. Records show Hegners in the United States, England, Australia, and Canada, usually living in large urban centers like New York, Boston, Toronto, and London.

In the United States, Hegner appears to be most popular in the northwest region. Multiple sources report members of the Hegner family living in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, with some in Texas and California.

Genealogical reports show that over 1600 records of people with the last name Hegner can be found in the US today.

Overall, the Hegner surname is most popular in Germany, with records of the name in the US, England, Australia, and Canada as well. It is an Ashkenazic Jewish surname and was probably used as a profession name for a worker in a garden or tending hedgerows. In the US, it seems to be most popular in the northwest region.

Variations of the surname Hegner

Hegner is a German and Dutch surname, and it is also frequently encountered in English-speaking countries. Variants of the surname Hegner include Heger, Heigher, Heiger, Heigre, Heigerin, Hagener, Hegnerin, Hegaar, Heggen, Heggener, and Heggemann. In some cases, the surname Hegner has also been changed to a more Anglicized-sounding version, such as Hagger, Hagar, Hegger, Hegar, Heagren, Heagrenn, and Haggerman.

The primary origin of the surname Hegner is from the Germanic tribal name Heriger, meaning 'army ruler'. This evolved into a family name first found in Baden-Württemberg, a state in Germany. In the medieval and early modern times the surname Hegner was used as an official title, and by the 17th century had spread to various parts of Germany. By the 19th century, many people with the Hegner surname had begun to emigrate to other countries, such as to the United States.

In some cases, the spelling of the Hegner surname has been mutated over time. For example, Heriger began to become Hegener, and Hegner started to be spelled as Heiger, Heigher, Hagener, Hegaar, Heggen, Heggener, Heggemann and Hagger. In some cases, the surname Hegner has even been changed to an Anglicized version, with spellings such as Hagar, Hegger, Hegar, Heagren, Heagrenn and Haggerman.

In conclusion, the Hegner surname has a variety of alternate spellings and variants, and while all have the same origin, some are more commonly used in particular countries or regions than others.

Famous people with the name Hegner

• Andre Hegner: German classical and jazz pianist and composer
• Austin Hegner: American college football player
• Carsten Hegner: German infinitely-variable direct-drive bicycle transmission inventor
• Christof Hegner: German professional soccer player
• George Hegner: Canadian World War II flying ace
• Gottfried Hegner: German swimmer and bronze medalist at the 1936 Olympics
• Henning Hegner: German professional soccer player
• Johannes Hegner: German hammer thrower and gold medalist at the 1920 Olympics
• Rolf Hegner: German mathematician and physicist
• Thor Hegner: Danish field hockey player and Olympic medalist

Other surnames

Hegney