Surname Hinze - Meaning and Origin
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An Enlightening Voyage into My Genetic History with iGENEA: A Focus on the Surname Hinze
The DNA test provided by iGENEA provided valuable insights into the genetic makeup and origin of my surname, Hinze. The sophisticated testing process and the accuracy of results deepened my understanding of my ancestral heritage, highlighting prevalent influences from Northern Europe and other pertinent details related to my lineage and health.
Q. Hinze
read moreHinze: What does the surname Hinze mean?
The German surname Hinze (pronounced "Hin-zuh") is derived from a nickname that was originally given to someone with a pointed, conical "pointy-nose" appearance. This explains why it is commonly seen as a topographic mark for pointed hills in Germany and northern Europe. Its etymological origins are most likely tied to the Germanic language of Old High German, with its root being hinaz meaning “cone” or “prominence.” In a similar vein, the Low German cognate is Hinze, resulting from a diminutive of hinz (also meaning “cone”).
Given its familiarity in Germany, it is not surprising that variations of the Hinze family name can also be found in other countries that have had Germanic influences, including the Netherlands, Belgium, and other parts of northern Europe.
The surname Hinze can also be found in various westernised spellings such as Heynze, Henze, Heins, and Haynes. While many of these variants carry over the original meaning of the name as a reference to a person's physical features, the other possibilities suggest that it can also mean ”son of Hein”, “son of the army”, or “son of the high one”.
The Hinze family name is believed to have first appeared in recorded history in documents in the 14th and 15th centuries, when a number of historical figures (particularly German princes and knights) began to take on the title. Over time, the name's popularity spread across Europe, and these days, it is found in many parts of the world.
Order DNA origin analysisHinze: Where does the name Hinze come from?
The last name Hinze is most common in the northwestern part of Germany, particularly in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. It is also seen in small numbers in Austria, Switzerland, Austria and Denmark.
The surname appeared in records as early as the 13th century, when Gerhard Hince from Tecklenburg is mentioned in records. By the 19th century, the name was found mainly in the north and east of Germany. Today, in rural areas of these regions, the last name Hinze continues to be quite common.
Outside of Germany, the last name Hinze is relatively uncommon, although immigrant populations in the United States, Canada and Australia do have a small numbers of people with this surname. It is most often found in the German, Dutch and Scandinavian communities who settled in these countries around the time of 1800s.
More recently, the Hinze name is also making an appearance in other parts of the world such as Brazil and the Philippines. It is likely that it will continue to spread as more people move and settle in different parts of the globe.
Variations of the surname Hinze
The surname Hinze has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant spelling of Hinze is Hintze. Other variants include Hintz, Hintzen, Hintzmann, Hinz, Hinzin, Hins, Hintschel, Hinzeke, and Hinzmann. In some regions of Germany, the surname may also be spelled as Hinzschel or Hinsch.
The earliest origin of the surname Hinze is in Lower Saxony and East Prussia, where it is derived from a local place name. The literal meaning of Hinze is ‘Son of Hinzo’, a Germanic personal name. The first recorded use of the surname dates back to 1369 AD, when a family by the name of Hinzo von Wobben lived in Osterholz of Lower Saxony.
There are many other surnames that have similar spelling and pronunciation to Hinze, which often leads to confusion. Some of these include Hinzel, Hinsenkamp, Hingsen, Hinkel, Hinkelmann, Hinckelmann, Henkel, Henle, Hensle, and Heins.
In terms of origin, Hinze is largely concentrated in Germany, though it is also found in Austria, the Netherlands, and the United States. There are thought to be over 3,000 people with the surname Hinze in Germany, and an estimated 5,000 Hinzes worldwide.
Famous people with the name Hinze
- Jennie Hinze: Former Miss Sweden who competed in the Miss Universe pageant in 1997.
- Oliver Hinze: German Engineering Professor at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT).
- Craig Hinze: American jazz musician and composer.
- Kristine Hinze: German-American model.
- Werner Hinze: Former footballer from West Germany.
- Susanne Hinze: German born fashion designer from Sydney, Australia.
- Gordon Hinze: Former American Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Leslie Hinze: Retired Lieutenant Colonel and Mission Commander for United States Marine Corps.
- Jana Hinze: German cyclist and triathlete.
- Luise Hinze: German equestrian who competed in dressage and show jumping events at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
- Daisy Hinze: American professional golfer on the LPGA Tour.
- Alex Hinze: Australian rugby union player.
- Manfred Hinze: German canoeist who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics.
- Henry Hinze: Former lead singer of the Milwaukee band Emery Rath.
- David Hinze: American comic book artist and writer.
- Vice Admiral Ernest Hinze: Former managing director of the Australian Submarine Corporation.
- Jürgen Hinze: Former German footballer and manager.
- Rainer Hinze: German sculptor and draughtsman.
- Angela Hinze: German middle-distance runner.
- Mathias Hinze: Former German footballer.