Surname Mittlehner - Meaning and Origin
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Mittlehner: What does the surname Mittlehner mean?
The last name Mittlehner is a German name that has been found in both Germany and Austria. It has been suggested that the name comes from the Middle High German words 'mittel' and 'hurner' which translate to mean 'middle' and 'turner' respectively. This seems to suggest that the name is an occupational one, referring to the profession of a craftsman or metalworker.
Some sources have also suggested that the name is an anglicization of 'Mettenheimer', and hence may be derived from the medieval 'Mittenheim' which roughly translates to mean 'Middle Home'. In this case, it could be interpreted as a habitational name, referring to a geographic locality.
The Mittlehner family name is most commonly found in the Austrian area of Styria, where records have shown that the family had a long-standing presence. The Mittlehner family was prominent in this region, holding a status of wealth and influence due to their ownership of land and local resources. Records also suggest that members of the family often held positions of power, being appointed as Church archivists, administrators, subdeacons, and provosts.
The last name Mittlehner would therefore appear to be derived from either an occupational or geographical source, with the family having had a long and circumstances in the Styrian area of Austria. Considering this, it could be suggested that the meaning of the name Mittlehner is 'middle turner' or 'from Mittenheim'.
Order DNA origin analysisMittlehner: Where does the name Mittlehner come from?
The last name Mittlehner is most commonly found in Germany. It is believed to be a topographic name derived from Middle High German words referring to a narrow pass or a division between two rivers. It is also found in other parts of central Europe, such as Austria, Switzerland, and Eastern Europe.
Mittlehner is also a fairly common name in the United States, particularly in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Nebraska. This is likely due to the large population of German immigrants who settled these areas in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These immigrants continued to pass down the name to future generations, and it is still prevalent in these states today.
The last name is less commonly seen in other parts of the US, but its spread coincides with the waves of German immigrants and descendants in various parts of the country. As a result, there are families carrying the name Mittlehner scattered throughout the US today.
Variations of the surname Mittlehner
Mittlehner is a German and Jewish surname most commonly found in Austria, but is also present in Germany, Switzerland, and other parts of Europe.
Variants of Mittlehner include Mittelhäuer, Mittelhuber, Mittlenauer, Mitlehner, Mitlehner, Middlenhaeur, Mittlehaeur, Middlenauer, Mittlehner, Mittlenhuber, Mittlenhofer, Mittlenhofer, and Mitlenhofer.
In the United States, some of these variants have been simplified over time. For example, Mittlenhofer has become "Moffer".
In some cases, Mittlehner may have been adopted as a given name. Examples of this include Mitchener, Middlenhauer, and Mittenhauer.
Some individuals with the Mittlehner surname have also anglicized the spelling to variations such as Mittlein or Mittlin.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, some spelling variations of this surname may have been intentional to differentiate one family from another, as handwriting styles with many early German documents were often difficult to read.
No matter the exact spelling, this surname is derived from the Middle High German word "meittenhuon,” meaning “lives in the middle of the meadows.” This suggests that the original bearers of this name were likely farmers who lived near or in meadows.
Famous people with the name Mittlehner
- Christian Mittlehner, Japanese-German journalist and activist
- Jennifer Mittlehner, American film director and producer
- Marc Mittlehner, German professor of social policy
- Johann Mittlehner, Austrian mathematician
- Jesslyn Mittlehner, Canadian painter
- Sean Mittlehner, American composer and musician
- Robert Mittlehner, German businessman and entrepreneur
- Bruno Mittlehner, Brazilian choreographer
- Reinhard Mittlehner, Austrian businessman
- Ingo Mittlehner, German actor and director