Surname Horwege - Meaning and Origin
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Horwege: What does the surname Horwege mean?
The last name Horwege is of German origin, meaning “on the ridge” or “on the hill”. It typically refers to a family which hails from either the German region of Saxony or the nearby Baltic region.
Historical records show that the earliest recorded use of the Horwege surname in Germany dates back to the 13th century. The root of the name is the Old German “horw”, meaning a “ridge” or “height”. This refers to a geographical feature or place, often on the outskirts of a settlement.
It’s possible that bearers of the name Horwege, or variants like Hurwege and Harweg, were originally settlers located near a particular geographical feature, or that they descended from settlers who lived in the area. The origin of the name could also refer to a prominent and well-known feature or landmark in the family’s area of settlement.
Over time and with migrations, the family may have spread across larger areas and lowlands to form the many variants of the name which are known today.
In modern times, the Horwege name is still found mainly in the same region of Germany, with some individuals migrating to other parts of Europe, the Americas and Australia. The name continues to be associated with a range of geographical locations, such as the town Horwege in Saxony, or certain natural features like hilly terrain or high ridges.
Order DNA origin analysisHorwege: Where does the name Horwege come from?
The last name Horwege is a German surname, indicating that it has its origins in Germany. It is a fairly uncommon surname in Germany today, with only 600 individuals bearing the name in the country. The last name Horwege is most commonly found in the south of Germany, in particular around the cities of Greven, Erlangen, and Berlin. It is also found in other areas of Germany and in its neighbouring countries. Those with the last name Horwege can trace their ancestry back to the 17th century.
The last name Horwege is also prominent in other parts of the world outside of Germany, such as the USA, Canada and Australia. In the USA, the highest concentration of those with the surname is to be found in Pennsylvania, followed by Wisconsin, California, New York, and Illinois. It is also relatively common in Canada, with particularly high concentrations in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.
The last name Horwege has also evolved significantly beyond Germany. The surname is pronounced differently in different language areas, and there are many variants of the name, such as Harwage, Harswege, Horwage, Horweger and Horwige.
Overall, the last name Horwege is most common in Germany, particularly in the south, but it is also found in many other countries around the world, including the USA, Canada, Australia, and other European countries.
Variations of the surname Horwege
Horwege is an old Anglo-Saxon name derived from the pre 7th century personal name "Horwig," which is thought to have been a diminutive form of the Old Germanic element "hrod," meaning "renown and glory," and "wiga," meaning fighter.
The variants of Horwege include Harwege, Horwegg, Harwegg, Horweg, Harweg, Horwig, Harwig, Horwyg, Horwygg, Harwyg and Horvig.
The spelling of the surname was often altered to fit its pronunciation, and so one may find variations such as Horwidge, Horwith, Harvidge, Harwith, Herwig, Herweg, Herwigge, or Herwegg.
Surnames derived from Horwege, including Harawig, Horvigson, Horrsen, Harwood, Harwoode, Horrige, Haurwege, Harwig, and Horrigon, are also common.
Most Horwege families originated in the Low Countries of Europe, which includes present-day Holland and Belgium. However, the name is also found in places in England, such as London and Kent, which were home to many travelers.
The earliest known bearer of the surname was Orwey Horwig, who was documented in Münster, Germany in 1213. The Horwege surname eventually spread to many parts of Europe as families traveled and moved to foreign lands in search of work and opportunity.
Today, the name can be found in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name Horwege
- Heather Horwege: former college soccer coach and current NCAA women's sports marketing and fan engagement executive.
- Frank Horwege: science teacher in German Technical Highschool in The Hague and a recognized physicist.
- Johnny Horwege: Major League Baseball pitcher and member of the St. Louis Cardinals' Hall of Fame.
- Curtis Horwege: nationally renowned chef, motocross racer, and restaurateur.
- Emory Horwege: award winning biologist and past member of the National Academy of Sciences.
- Amon Horwege: actor who has had roles in multiple television series, films, and commercials.
- Paul Horwege: world-renowned classical musician, playing the saxophone in famous symphonies around the country.
- Carl Horwege: former NHL All-Star, NHL Hall of Fame Member, and coach of the Chicago Blackhawks.
- Mary Horwege: fashion designer who created the popular designer clothing line Horwege & since 2020
- Henry Horwege: celebrated scientist who received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1976.