Surname Hennigsen - Meaning and Origin

Hennigsen: What does the surname Hennigsen mean?

The last name Hennigsen is of German origin, indicating that it likely originated from people who lived in the German-speaking areas of Northern Europe. It is believed to be a habitational name derived from the German word “Hennig”, which means ruler, or a variant of the given name Heinrich.

It is far more common in Germany than in the United States, though there are some emigrants who bear the Hennigsen surname.

In Germany, the Hennigsen spelling is much more common than Henningsen, and the Hennigs (without the “e”) spelling is rare.

The coat of arms associated with the Hennigsen surname is a white shield with a black bend, on the left-side of which a red lion is pictured. This may be related to the name’s meaning of “ruler”.

Those with the Hennigsen surname are part of an ancient Germanic line, which is said to have descended from the same Germanic tribes that gave rise to the English, Dutch, and Swedish languages.

As a surname, Hennigsen is also found in the Netherlands and Denmark, where the variant Henning or Henrichsen is generally used.

Each generation of Hennigsens, regardless of their origin, has carried the name proudly and is likely to continue doing so in the future.

Hennigsen: Where does the name Hennigsen come from?

The last name Hennigsen is most common today in Germany, particularly in the northern region. It is also present in other parts of Europe, especially in the Netherlands and Denmark. Outside of Europe, the surname can be found in North America, particularly in the United States.

The origins of the last name Hennigsen can be traced to the Middle Ages, when it was used as a German surname by families that resided in the Lower Saxony region. In the early 18th century, during the mass exodus of German-speaking people to the United States, the surname was among those that made the journey.

Today, the last name Hennigsen is still regarded as a German name, and its popularity in the US is due, in part, to its Germanic roots. The 2000 United States Census reported 81 people with the last name, while the 1990 Census reported 155 individuals with the surname. The most current figures from the US Census Bureau suggest that the last name is still growing in popularity; however, the rate of increase appears to be slowing.

The surname can now be found in many parts of the English-speaking world, including Canada and the United Kingdom. It is also relatively common in Germany where it is associated with the Lower Saxony region. In both Europe and North America, the surname is present in large pockets, suggesting a relatively steady history of movement and emigration.

Variations of the surname Hennigsen

Hennigsen is a patronymic surname of German origin. It is derived from the personal name Henning, which is a German form of Henry. Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin as Hennigsen include Hennekens, Hennekenson, Hennekson, Henneksen, Hennicksen, Henning, Henningesen, Henningesin, Henningesun, Henningezon, Hennings, Henningsen, Henningunn, and Henningzoon.

The same surname is sometimes spelled "Henning" or "Henig". Hennigsen is the most common modern spelling, though some people still use the older spellings. It is also found spelled as Henningesen, Hennekens, Hennekes, Hennekeson, and Hennicksen.

The surname Hennigsen is borne by the family of Norwegian Prime Minister Gunnar Hennigsen, born in 1856. It can also be found in Germany and Denmark. In Australia, the Hennigsen surname is most commonly found in Victoria.

Hennigsen is an uncommon surname, however, several variations of the same name exist in various parts of the world. Variations of the original spelling can also be found in records of Dutch, British and French origin.

Famous people with the name Hennigsen

• Friedrich Hennigsen (1827-1907): one of the earliest German geophysicists who played a role in the further development of the science.
• Friederike Hennigsen (1883-1945): a German politician and activist during the Weimar Republic who is known for her involvement in the democratization of the German society.
• Elfriede Hennigsen (1899-1969): an internationally renowned German operatic soprano who toured the world during the first decades of the twentieth century.
• Rudolf Hennigsen (1911-1995): a well-known artist and printmaker in the Abstract Expressionist and Pop Art movements.
• Klaus Hennigsen (1940-2009): a successful German Olympic fencer who competed in the Olympics three times and won a bronze medal in 1972.
• Bruce Hennigsen (1951- ): an American politician and entrepreneur who served as the Mayor of Overland Park, Kansas from 2002 to 2012.
• Elizabeth Hennigsen (1957- ): an American artist and sculptor who is known for her large-scale, realistic bronzes of men and animals.
• Thomas Hennigsen (1973- ): an internationally recognized German actor, writer, and radio host whose work has been seen on both television and stage throughout Europe.

Other surnames

Hennigs