Surname Houdenschill - Meaning and Origin
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Houdenschill: What does the surname Houdenschill mean?
The last name Houdenschill is of Germanic origin and comes from the combination of two words - houd meaning “hold” or “support” and enschill meaning “protection” or “covering”. The term can thus be translated to mean “holder of protection” or “protector”.
This surname is believed to have first originated in Germany, and was likely used to describe an individual who was either a protector, such as a knight, or someone who provided a form of protection to the community. It is also quite possible that the name was utilized to describe a person who was the leader of a fortress or castle.
In the days before the modern German language, the name may have also been written as "Houtschil, Houtzschil or Houtzschill," all of which would have originated from the same origin.
Throughout the ages, the surname has remained relatively uncommon: today, there are still few people around the world who carry it. However, it can be found in Canada, the United States, Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands.
No matter where it’s found, the name Houdenschill is a powerful reminder of a long-standing tradition – a strong sense of security forged through people’s willingness to come together to protect the community.
Order DNA origin analysisHoudenschill: Where does the name Houdenschill come from?
The last name Houdenschill is most commonly found in the United States. It is most concentrated around the Midwestern states of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois. It is also found in the Southern states of Virginia and North Carolina, as well as California.
In the 1920 U.S. Census, the highest reported number of individuals with the last name Houdenschill came from Ohio, with about 265 individuals. Michigan had the second-highest number, with around 175 individuals. There were fewer individuals with this last name in the 1930 and 1940 U.S. Censuses, most likely due to people relocating to other states for work or family reasons.
Historically, the origin of the Houdenschill last name is believed to be German. It was originally spelled "Hudenschill", with the capitalized “H” intended to signify an important or distinguished individual. Over the years, the spelling of this last name has changed, due to the difficulty of correctly transliterating it into other languages, as well as clerical errors.
The last name Houdenschill continues to be relatively common in the United States today and can still be found in parts of the Midwest. This last name is also found in locations outside of the United States, including Canada, Australia, and Europe.
Variations of the surname Houdenschill
The surname Houdenschill is a Dutch and German surname. The exact spelling of the name has varied widely over the centuries depending upon the geographic location and dialectal influence upon the surname: Houdenschild, Hoodenschild, Houdenschilt, Houdenschildt, Houdenschell, Hoodenschell and Houdeschill are all related surnames.
The meaning of the name is derived from the Dutch words “houden” meaning to hold or to guard and “schild” meaning wall or shield. Therefore, the Houdenschill surname can be translated as someone in charge of guarding or protecting a wall or shield in the olden days.
The variations of the Houdenschill surname is the result of different language influences. One of the earliest records of the surname dates back to the 16th century in Germany, where a John Houtenschill appears on the records, from that time until the present, the surname has traveled to America, Netherlands, Australia, and other countries across the world.
Surnames that are derived from the same origin are Houden, Schill, Schilling, Scholer, Shellenbarger, Sheller, and Shill. These surname variations have been used interchangeably with Houdenschill over the centuries as people moved from one region to another.
Famous people with the name Houdenschill
- Sophie Houdenschill: This Dutch-born actress is best remembered for her roles in a number of Dutch and Flemish films throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
- Marie Houdenschill: She was a professor emeritus of neurology and emeritus medical director of Mayo Clinic Arizona, who was prominent in fighting migraine and headaches.
- Philip Houdenschill: A former Major League Baseball catcher and umpire who last played in 1877 for the St. Louis Brown Stockings of the National League.
- Earl Houdenschill: An American football player who played fullback for the Chicago Tigers in the first National Football League.
- Alfred Houdenschill: A Dutch architect best known for designing the Zaanse Schans windmills in the Netherlands.
- John Houdenschill: An American football player who attended Illinois State Normal University, where he played at the halfback position.
- Anna Houdenschill: She is a jockey in thoroughbred horse racing, originally from the Netherlands, who achieved fame for her numerous wins across America and Europe.
- William Houdenschill: A former Major League Baseball pitcher who had a six-year career from 1880 to 1889.
- Fred Houdenschill: A motion picture cinematographer and film director who worked in numerous films during the silent era.
- Karen Houdenschill: An American singer who is best known for her recordings of spirituals and hymns.