Surname Hotchkies - Meaning and Origin
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Hotchkies: What does the surname Hotchkies mean?
The surname Hotchkies is of Scottish origin and is derived from the old Scottish surname, "MacHutcheoun" or "MacHutcheson," which means "son of Hugh's kin." It is a patronymic name, meaning it is based on the given name of a father or male ancestor. Over time, the name may have changed through natural linguistic development and local dialect, giving birth to variations such as Hotchkies. As it was common during the Middle Ages, many people were known by their trade or occupation, so it's also believed that the surname Hotchkies might have occupational origins, referring to someone who was a "hutch maker" or who made chests, hampers, or sea chests. However, this possibility seems less likely. Like many surnames, the spelling has been altered over the centuries, with variants such as Hotchkiss, Hutchkiss, and others existing today.
Order DNA origin analysisHotchkies: Where does the name Hotchkies come from?
The surname Hotchkies is of Scottish origin, primarily from the area of Sutherland in Northern Scotland. The name is derived from the personal name Roger, from the elements "hrothi" (fame) and "geri" (spear). It became "Hosack" in Scotland then "Hotchkies," evolving through phonetic renderings over time. The name may also be associated with the village of Hodgekiss, in the county of Shropshire, England. During the late medieval period, many from this family migrated to the North American colonies.
Today, it's found in several English-speaking countries but is not extremely common anywhere. The greatest concentration of people with this surname is in the United States, followed by the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. In the United States, the surname is most prevalent in the states of Ohio, California, and New York. The exact number of people bearing the Hotchkies surname worldwide is not known, but estimates put it at under a few thousand. It's also seen in various forms like Hutchkiss, Hotchkiss, Hotchkin, etc. owing to differences in local dialects and record-keeping practices over time.
Variations of the surname Hotchkies
The surname Hotchkies has several variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin. These include:
- Hotchkiss: This is the most common variant of the surname and is used widely in places where English is spoken.
- Hochkiss: This variant might be found in Germany or in English-speaking countries under German influence.
- Hotchkis: A simpler version, this variant is less common but still in use.
- Hotchkin: This variant has the same derivation and can be considered as a surname of the same origin.
- Hutchkiss: This version may have arisen due to miscommunication or miswriting of the original surname.
- Hutchison, Hutchinson, and even Hutchins might be considered surnames of the same origin due to phonetic similarity and potential evolution over time.
The origin of these surnames can be traced back to the region around Staffordshire in England. The name is believed to be topographic, possibly indicating that the first family to bear the name lived in or around a hill (a "hough" or "haw") with a ravine, from the Old English 'cicce' meaning hatch or small door.
Famous people with the name Hotchkies
- Peter Hotchkies: Canadian film producer
- Chris Hotchkies: Canadian pianist and composer
- Bill Hotchkies: American pitchman and television host
- Morgan Hotchkies: Australian soccer player
- Daphne Hotchkies: British actress
- Dave Hotchkies: Canadian hockey player
- Michael Hotchkies: American comedian and actor
- Mike Hotchkies: American performance artist
- Nancy Hotchkies: American Olympic runner
- Phil Hotchkies: Canadian ice hockey executive