Surname Heinerichs - Meaning and Origin
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Heinerichs: What does the surname Heinerichs mean?
The last name Heinerichs is a patronymic name that originated in Germany. It is derived from a combination of two German elements: Heinrich, which means “home ruler”, and ers, which was a suffix used to form patronymic surnames. It could have been the name of someone who was related to or descended from a man named Heinrich.
In its simplest interpretation, Heinerichs is a common German last name, likely derived centuries ago from the personal name, Heinrich. The name became popular in the 8th century, as an increasing number of people began to adopt hereditary last names. Over time, the name was adapted into differing spelling variations, such as Heinerichs, Heinyerichs, and Hennerichs, among others.
In its more modern iterations, it is a surname found across Europe, typically among those with German, Dutch, and Swiss ancestry. There are also some families with the last name Heinerichs in the United States and Latin America, likely descendants of those who immigrated there in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Today, the Heinerichs surname is carried by a diverse range of people, reflecting the many countries and cultures associated with it. For some, it serves as a reminder of a shared past, while for others, it simply a part of their personal identity and heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisHeinerichs: Where does the name Heinerichs come from?
The last name Heinerichs is common in parts of Germany and The Netherlands today. It is a northern German surname, indicating those who carry it may have originally been from regions around The Netherlands and Germany. The name Heinerichs is commonly found in multiple regions of Germany, including Saxony, Lower Saxony, Hesse, Thuringia, Bavaria, and North-Rhine Westphalia. It is also common throughout The Netherlands from the provinces of Friesland to Zeeland.
The Heinerichs surname is derived from a first name that was used throughout the Middle Ages in Germanic-speaking regions. That first name is Heinrich, which is the Germanic equivalent of Henry. The original usage of this family name is attributed to one Hans Hinrichs in Grandegge, Germany, in 1489.
This surname is quite common today and does not appear to be in danger of extinction. With the popularity of genealogical sites, such as Ancestry and MyHeritage, more people who carry the Heinerichs surname are discovering their family histories and connecting with distant relatives, connecting them even more to the name.
Variations of the surname Heinerichs
The variant and spelling of the surname Heinerichs dates back to the 13th century, from a Germanic tribe known as the Heiningen. Over the centuries, the surname has flourished and mutated, creating a wide array of spellings and surnames of the same origin. Common variations of the surname Heinerichs include Heinecke, Heineichs, Henigs, Heinicke, Henrichs, Heynicke, Hinrichs, Haenrichs, Hennig and Henneg.
The Henneg spelling is believed to originate from the old Germanic word “Huning”, meaning “the high-born one”. The Heinecke spelling originated from the Germanic words “Hein”, which translates to “the household of” and “Hein”, translating to “the noble lord”. Henrichs is believed to have originated from Heini, the Old Germanic word for “home” or “family”.
The Hennig spelling originated from the Middle High German word, “hening”, which translates to “lord of the manor”. The Heynicke spelling is believed to have originated from the Germanic names “Hein” or “Heinrich”, meaning “the ruler of the home” or “the ruler of the household”.
The most common spelling of the surname Heinerichs outside of Germany is the Henrichs spelling. It was first recorded in the United States in the mid-1700s, when a family with the Henrichs surname settled in Pennsylvania. Since then, Henrichs has been adopted by many Americans, although Heinerichs is still the most common spelling of the surname inside of Germany and in other countries with a large German population.
Famous people with the name Heinerichs
- Maria Heinerichs: European Figure Skater
- Manuel Heinerichs: Former Manager of Schalke 04
- Ludwig Heinerichs: Former Mayor of the City of Coesfeld
- Dieter Heinerichs: German Classical Violinist
- Michelle Heinerichs: American Actress
- Leopold Heinerichs: German Scientist and Sport Climber
- Monika Heinerichs: German Television Personality
- Florian Heinerichs: German Beetles and Insects Research Professor
- Frank Heinerichs: European Soccer Professional
- Egon Heinerichs: Austrian Politician and EU Commissioner