Surname Hornbach - Meaning and Origin

Hornbach: What does the surname Hornbach mean?

The surname Hornbach is of German origin and is derived from the name of several places in the areas of Saxony-Anhalt, Bavaria, and Hesse. The word 'Horn' is thought to refer to a promontory or rocky hill, while 'bach' indicates a brook, stream, or river, making the surname figuratively translated to mean 'stream at the hill'.

The surname was first recorded in 17th century Germany, when the Hornbacher family were living in the city of Prussia. During this time the family was believed to have been employed in the booming textile and leather industry, contributing to their notable success in the town.

Today, the Hornbach surname is still commonly found in Germany and can be found across the world in the U.S.A., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and even as far as South Africa. The name is believed to have spread from Europe as a result of the emigration patterns of the 19th century influx of German settlers to the Americas.

The legacy of the Hornbach name continues and is shared widely amongst its descendants, each inheriting the dedicated work ethic of their ancestors.

Hornbach: Where does the name Hornbach come from?

The last name Hornbach is most commonly found in Germany. According to the German source MeyersGaz.org, the Hornbach family originates from central Germany and is especially common in Bavaria, Upper Franconia, and Hesse. It is also known to be found in Austria and Switzerland.

In German speaking countries, the name Hornbach often denotes family heritage that is traced all the way back to the 12th century. In fact, the original Hornbach family included three brothers who had upper nobility status in their region. Today, their descendents continue to honor their family name and are scattered throughout Germany and other Germanic countries.

Hornbach is also common throughout large parts of the United States, especially in states such as Illinois, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and California. According to the Public Profiler research portal, Minnesota has the highest concentration of Hornbachs found in the US. Additionally, the last name Hornbach is frequent in other regions including Canada, Australia, Argentina, and France.

In short, although rooted in Germanic countries, Hornbach is now found dispersed among many nations, including the United States.

Variations of the surname Hornbach

The surname Hornbach has many variants, spellings, and surnames that emerge from the same origin. Hornbach is a surname mainly of German-speaking background, with some variants arising from other European countries, as well. It is derived from the Middle German terms 'Horn' and 'Bach', each signifying a different meaning. 'Horn' is associated with hunting horn, the term “haus/horn” originating from an old Germanic word for “house.” On the other hand, 'Bach' conveys the sense of 'stream', started from the Middle High German word "bache" or a small mountain stream.

The most simple form of spelling for the surname is Hornbach. Variants of the surname Hornbach, include Hornback, Hopmbach, Homback, Hornbaker, and Harbach. The variant spellings often appear in records depending on the region of the German-speakers and can occur in documents as far away as the United States of America.

In terms of linked surnames, Hornbach is closely related to surnames including Hornberg and Hornung, which have similar meanings and share a common Germanic etymology.

In summary, Hornbach is a surname of Germanic origin with spellings and variations of Hornback, Hopmbach, Homback, Hornbaker, and Harbach arising from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In terms of linked surnames, it is heavily related to Hornberg and Hornung.

Famous people with the name Hornbach

• Jonathan Hornbach: Emmy nominated television and film director.
• Robert Hornbach: German Actor and Film producer.
• Max Hornbach: German Television journalist and TV presenter.
• Erich Hornbach: German Politician in the Social Democratic Party of Germany.
• Günther Hornbach: German Comic book artist and writer.
• Hartmut Hornbach: German Politician in the Social Democratic Party of Germany.
• Kurt Hornbach: German Film director, screenwriter and producer.
• Arnold Hornbach: German entrepreneur and co-founder of Hornbach Baumarkt, a home improvement retail chain.
• Frank Hornbach: German Actor.
• Christian Hornbach: German actor and television producer.

Other surnames

Hornbacher