Surname Hitzelsberger - Meaning and Origin
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Hitzelsberger: What does the surname Hitzelsberger mean?
The last name Hitzelsberger is of German origin, derived from the words "hitzel" (dwarf) and "berg" (mountain). This suggests that the last name may have been adopted by someone of a small stature who lived near a mountain range.
The name is quite rare, with fewer than 200 people in the United States sharing the surname. It is also believed to be found in the Bavaria and Thuringia regions of Germany, although it is not widely found in other part of the world.
Historically, the name may have been taken as an occupational name. During the Middle Ages, some people may have taken on the name to signify their role as a miner or a smelter. They also may have assumed the name based on their physical characteristics, with "hitzel" likely referring to someone's small size.
A search of the records of the former Bavaria region also reveals that the family was very prominent in the area prior to the 1600s. The name is likely to have been used by members of a prominent landowning class who may have passed it on to future generations.
The last name Hitzelsberger is a unique one with a rich past. It is likely to have originated from either an occupational reference or body type, and has been around since at least the 1600s in the Bavaria region. The name is still in use today, which is a testament to its longevity and provenance.
Order DNA origin analysisHitzelsberger: Where does the name Hitzelsberger come from?
The surname Hitzelsberger is a Germanic name derived from the Middle High German term "hutzel," meaning "hut." Its earliest known bearers are recorded in Bavaria, Germany during the 14th century. Today, the surname is most common in Germany’s southern regions and is also widely distributed throughout Austria and parts of Switzerland.
Hitzelsberger is also found in other areas of Europe, including Hungary, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. It is also common in former German territories such as the Czech Republic, Poland and the United States.
The United States has the second largest population of Hitzelsbergers after Germany, with the most concentrated populations in Oregon, California and Texas. The largest population of Hitzelsbergers is in Oregon where they represent over 0.01% of the state’s population. In California, the name is found throughout but is particularly common around Los Angeles, San Francisco, and the San Joaquin Valley.
In Texas, the surname is found throughout the state but is particularly prevalent in San Antonio and Houston. Outside of the US and Europe, the surname can be found in some parts of Canada, South America and Australia.
All in all, the family name Hitzelsberger is most common in Germany and its surrounding countries, but is also widely distributed throughout Europe, the United States and other parts of the world. With its oldest recorded bearers stretching back to the 14th century, it certainly has a long and interesting history.
Variations of the surname Hitzelsberger
The surname Hitzelsberger is derived from the Middle High German surname, "Hizilperc", which means "hunter of wild animals". Variants of the name include Hezel, Hezelsberger, Hetzel, Hertzelsberger, and Hutzelberger. In some dialects, the name is spelled as Hizlberger or Hitzlbawer.
The surname Hitzelsberger first appeared in German records in the 1500s, however, an earlier record from 1250 finds mention of "Huotelperc". The surname was most commonly found in the southern German states such as Bavaria, Wurttemberg and Baden. It is thought to be a habitational name, derived from any of the places in Bavaria that bear the name "Hizelperg." Another possibility is that the name was a vestigial reference to a change of occupation, signaling the shift from hunter to soldier.
In the United States and Canada, variations of the name Hitzelsberger are still common, although spelling variations may differ. Some examples include Hazilpas, Hyzellbas, and Hitsellburger.
The modern day descendants of those bearing the Hitzelsberger surname may come from any of the countries in which the name was historically found, including Germany, Austria, Czechia, Slovakia, and the United States. Despite variations in spelling and pronunciation, the Hitzelsberger surname has endured for centuries and is still fairly common today.
Famous people with the name Hitzelsberger
- Joe Hitzelsberger: Joe Hitzelsberger is a former professional American football player, who played for the Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Detroit Lions. He appeared in Super Bowl XIII and was chosen as an All-Pro. In addition to playing as the fullback position, Hitzelsberger was also the special teams captain for the Steelers.
- Van Hitzelsberger: Van Hitzelsberger is a former American music producer, record label executive, and film composer. He has earned numerous awards, including Grammy Awards for his work with artists such as Pourhouse, Cole Porter, and Dionne Warwick.
- Craig Hitzelsberger: Craig Hitzelsberger is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Atlanta Braves and Toronto Blue Jays. He was selected to the 1992 All-Star Game and was a National League All-Star in 1996.
- Lovell Hitzelsberger: Lovell Hitzelsberger is a former American basketball player in the National Basketball Association who played for the Chicago Bulls and Houston Rockets.
- Chris Hitzelsberger: Chris Hitzelsberger is an American author, entrepreneur and business strategist. He has authored several books about business strategy and social media.
- David Hitzelsberger: David Hitzelsberger is an American composer, arranger, and jazz musician. He has received three Grammy Awards for his work in arranging for jazz greats such as Roy Hargrove, Pat Martino, and Stanley Clarke.
- Jen Hitzelsberger: Jen Hitzelsberger is a former American professional softball player. She played for the Minnesota Lynx and Chicago Bandits and was a member of the 2004 Olympic team.