Surname Hinterlehner - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Hinterlehner: What does the surname Hinterlehner mean?
The last name Hinterlehner is of German origin and is believed to have derived from either residence near an old forest located "behind" a clearing or the derived meaning ‘from behind’. This name is most commonly found regionally around Bavaria, Austria and Germany, with variants appearing in other European countries.
It is believed to have dated back to as early as the 14th century in Germany and would have been associated with noble class citizens. The Hinterlehner name came from those members of high society that resided near or behind a clearing.
The associated coat of arms with the Hinterlehner name is a blue shield with a silver eagle on it, originally representing their military ties and strength. Over the years the eagle on the shield has slowly morphed from its original appearance to a more elaborate and intricately designed representation with each family.
Today, the name Hinterlehner is still quite commonly found in the same regional areas. With its strong military connotations and noble class beginnings, the Hinterlehner name symbolises strength, courage, and a long standing family legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisHinterlehner: Where does the name Hinterlehner come from?
The last name Hinterlehner is found predominantly in Austria and Germany today. It is most commonly seen in the region of Upper Austria, where it is the 31st most common surname, according to the Austria Population Register 2020. In Germany, the last name is most common in the states of Bavaria and Hesse, where it is ranked the 875th and 2325th most common surname, respectively.
The family name is believed to have originated in Austria, and its meaning is unclear. One suggestion is that it might come from the German word 'hinterleinen', a type of pew placed in the back of a church. Another theory is that it comes from the German word 'hinterloha', which means a small ridge or ridgelet in a landscape.
Hinterlehner is not a particularly common name outside of the German-speaking world. However, some people bearing the last name have spread across the globe. For instance, this surname can be found in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand.
The family name has a long and distinguished lineage in Austria and Germany. Notable people with the surname Hinterlehner include the Austrian painter Carl Hinterlehner, the 18th-century German music composer Johann Hinterlehner, and the 19th-century Austrian politician Michael Hinterlehner.
Variations of the surname Hinterlehner
The surname Hinterlehner has numerous variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.
The most common variants of this surname include Hinderlähner, Hinterlehner, Hinterlehnher, Hinterleinher, and Hinderleinher.
Other variants include Hinderlehner, Hinderlohner, Hinterlerner, Hinterlehnerner, Hinterelhner, Hintener, Hinnterer and Hintenlauer.
The surnames of the same origin can include Hintermann, Hinterberger, Interberger, Hinterbichler, and Hintermayr.
These surnames have derived from the Middle German words "hinter" and "lehne", which mean "back of a chair". This is linked to an occupational name for a carpenter or chair maker who crafted chairs with the backs leaning back slightly.
This surname is most commonly found throughout Southern Germany and Austria. However, its name has spread to other countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia.
The Hinterlehner surname is also sometimes found with the prefix of either "von" or "von und zu". This prefix is often attached to designate a family's nobility or noble ancestry. Given its variant spellings, the surname may be found with the double "rr", as in Hinterlähner, or with the phonetic double "nn", as in Hintermayr.
Famous people with the name Hinterlehner
- Klaus Hinterlehner: Austrian TV presenter
- Christian Hinterlehner: Former Managing Director and CEO of Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI)
- Jesko Hinterlehner: German opera singer and conductor
- Ute Hinterlehner: German Professor of Applied Economics and Social Sciences
- Willi Hinterlehner: Austrian football player for Energie Cottbus
- Johann Hinterlehner: Austrian film director and producer
- Paul Hinterlehner: Austrian journalist, politician and diplomat
- Renee Hinterlehner: American author and poet
- Bernd Hinterlehner: Austrian accountant and tax consultant
- Wolfgang Hinterlehner: Austrian Paralympic alpine skier