Surname Hensch - Meaning and Origin
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Hensch: What does the surname Hensch mean?
The surname Hensch is likely of German origin and it's considered a patronymic surname, derived from a personal name. The personal name Henne, Hein or Henni, which are diminutive forms of the name Johann (equivalent to John in English), might be the root of this surname. Thus, Hensch could mean "son of Hein or Henne". It can also be an occupational surname for a chicken breeder, as "Henne" means "hen" in German. However, the exact and definite interpretation of the surname could vary based on geographical locations and historical contexts. Like most surnames, multiple origins may apply as surnames often evolved based on occupation, geographical locations, patronymics, or nicknames.
Order DNA origin analysisHensch: Where does the name Hensch come from?
The surname Hensch is of German origin, most likely derived from the German word "hahn" meaning rooster. It could have been used as a nickname for someone who resembled a rooster in some aspect, possibly bravado or early rising, or maybe a sign name for an inn or shop.
In the Middle Ages, surnames became necessary when governments introduced tax systems and personal taxation. They came into existence as a way to distinguish between people with the same forename.
Today, Hensch is not a particularly common surname globally. However, it is found with a higher density in Germany, followed by the United States. There are also some Hensch families in Australia, as well as in a few other parts of the world. Surname distribution data suggests that the largest number of people with the Hensch surname live in the German cities of Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg. Like most surnames, the specific geographic spread of people with the Hensch surname has expanded significantly over the past few centuries due to migration and the growth of global population.
Variations of the surname Hensch
The surname Hensch originates from Germany and is believed to be a derivative of the personal name Heinrich. Variants of this surname that have been identified over time include Henschen, Hentsch, Hench, and Hensche. These names have sprung up as the original name passed down generations and spread across different geographical locations. Some sources also indicate that the name might have variations like Henschel and Henshaw in English-speaking countries.
The spelling variations often occurred due to the phonetic spelling by scribes, census takers, and other officials, often leading to a single person's name being recorded under several different spellings in a single lifetime. For instance, someone with the surname Hensch moving to a non-German speaking country might have had their name recorded as Henshaw due to interpretation by English speaking officials. Similarly, an individual using the surname in Germany might use the variant Henschen or Henschel.
Also, many German surnames were often derived from occupations or characteristic traits. Therefore, the surname Hensch could potentially have connections or shared origins with similar surnames like Henschke or Hencke which derived from personal names like Heinrich as well.
Famous people with the name Hensch
- Tom Hensch, former NHL defenseman
- Dick Hensch, American politician
- Charles Hensch, American basketball and football coach
- Elizabeth Hensch, American tennis player
- Herman Hensch, Swiss-born skiing instructor
- Andrew Hensch, Australian cricketer
- Fred Hensch, American television producer
- Erwin Hensch, German footballer
- Martha Hensch, German actress
- Roman Hensch, German drummer and composer