Surname Heilner - Meaning and Origin
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Heilner: What does the surname Heilner mean?
The last name Heilner is of German origin, with the word ‘heil’ meaning ‘healthy’ or ‘safe’. The name is thought to be an occupational surname referring to a health practitioner or someone who conducted healing rituals and provided remedies to illnesses. In medieval times, it was common for people to use such medicinal remedies to maintain their health and wellbeing. Heilner could also refer to someone who provided other ‘healing’ services, such as a rabbi, shaman or spiritual healer.
The Heilner name is also associated with specific geographical locations in Germany, such as Heilnerbrücke, a hamlet in Bavaria, and Heilnerwies, a mountain in the state of Schleswig-Holstein. There were also several villages in the former East Germany called Heilner, which may have been the source of the surname.
Heilner is now popular as a surname in Germany and many other countries around the world. It is believed that many people adopted the name as a way of expressing hope for a healthy and safe life.
Order DNA origin analysisHeilner: Where does the name Heilner come from?
The last name Heilner is a fairly uncommon surname today, but does have a presence in countries like Canada, the United States, Australia, Germany, and Israel.
The name likely originated from the German language, as it translates to mean "little hero" or "hero's child" from the German word heilig meaning "holy" or "blessed" and the adjectival suffix -er, as in a son or descendant. The name has historically been linked to Jewish families in Central Europe, as well as Dutch and German families.
In Canada, the name can be found in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia, with the highest frequency found in Ontario. In the United States, the last name Heilner is most frequently seen in states like New York, Pennsylvania, California, Illinois, and Rhode Island, with the majority of its family residing in the state of New York.
In Australia, the surname Heilner can be found in all of the major state capitals and generally related to immigrants who settled in the country after World War II. In Germany, the surname can be found scattered around the country, but particularly in Bavarian speaking areas. In Israel, the name is most commonly found among Israeli Jews of German/Ashkenazi descent.
Overall, the last name Heilner is not a very common name worldwide, however it does have a presence in the countries listed and among certain ethnicities.
Variations of the surname Heilner
The surname Heilner can take on multiple variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.
Heilner: This is the most common spelling of the surname. It is derived from the Middle High German word 'heil', which means 'pristine, whole, cured'. It is a common variant used by Germanic and Ashkenazi Jewish communities.
Heillner: This is another variant of the surname Heilner. It is also derived from the Middle High German word 'heil'. This variant is also common amongst Germanic and Ashkenazi Jewish communities.
Hailner: This is a variant of the surname Heilner. It is derived from the Middle High German word 'heil'. This variant is more common amongst Germanic and Ashkenazi Jewish communities in the United States.
Heylen: This is a variant of the surname Heilner. It is derived from the Middle High German word 'heil'. This variant is more commonly used by Germanic communities in Belgium.
Hylland: This is a variant of the surname Heilner. It is derived from the Middle High German word 'heil'. This variant is more commonly used by Germanic communities in Norway.
Haelonen: This is a variant of the surname Heilner. It is derived from the Middle High German word 'heil'. This variant is more common amongst Germanic communities in Finland.
Heilmans: This is a surname of the same origin as Heilner. It is derived from the Middle High German word 'heil'. This variant is more common amongst Ashkenazi Jewish communities, especially in the United States.
Helleman: This is a surname of the same origin as Heilner. It is derived from the Middle High German word 'heil'. This variant is more common amongst Ashkenazi Jewish communities, especially in the Netherlands.
Hallman: This is a surname of the same origin as Heilner. It is derived from the Middle High German word 'heil'. This variant is more commonly used by Germanic communities in Sweden.
Heelman: This is a surname of the same origin as Heilner. It is derived from the Middle High German word 'heil'. This variant is more commonly used by Ashkenazi Jewish communities in the United States.
Heilenmann: This is a surname of the same origin as Heilner. It is derived from the Middle High German word 'heil'. This variant is more commonly used by Germanic and Ashkenazi Jewish communities in Switzerland.
In conclusion, the surname Heilner, and its variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, are very widespread and can be seen among various Germanic and Ashkenazi Jewish communities across the world.
Famous people with the name Heilner
- Dianna Heilner, journalist and author
- Lillian Heilner Munster, artist
- Detlef Heilner, biologist
- Van Heilner, physician, winner of the Gairdner Foundation International Award
- Mark Heilner, a mathematical physicist
- Hy Heilner, American basketball player
- Hans Heilner, German actor
- A. J. Heilner, U.S. Army Major, Fortress commander of the Battle of Corregidor during World War II
- Karl Heilner, Austrian physician
- Sidney Heilner, American professor and author
- Milton Heilner, American obstetrician
- Michael Heilner, lawyer, entrepreneur, and investor
- Klaus Heilner, German actor
- Henry Heilner, American film actor and comedian
- Bernhard Heilner, East German naval officer in World War II