Surname Hartgens - Meaning and Origin
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Hartgens: What does the surname Hartgens mean?
Hartgens is a Dutch surname which has roots in the medieval Germanic name “Hertgen”. The etymology of the name Hartgens indicates its origin and meaning. The prefix “Hert” is derived from the Middle High German word “herte” which means “hard” or “strong” and the suffix “gen” is derived from the Old High German word “gēn” which indicates family ties or lineage. Therefore, the surname Hartgens can literally be interpreted to have the meaning of a “strong family line”.
The name Hartgens is most commonly found in northern Europe, including Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, and Sweden. The surname was likely brought to these countries by immigrants from the region of the Rhineland, which is located on the western border of Germany. It is not clear when the surname originally made its way to this area of the world, but scholars believe that it likely arrived between the 11th and 14th centuries, when much of Europe experienced heavy migration due to the influx of people fleeing the oppressive rule of the Holy Roman Empire.
Given the strong historic ties to Germany, the surname Hartgens carries a certain level of distinction, symbolizing a familial lineage that has persevered through the ages. There is something admirable about a family line that can maintain its cohesion and pass its values down through the generations, and this is something which the surname Hartgens symbolizes.
Order DNA origin analysisHartgens: Where does the name Hartgens come from?
The last name Hartgens is most common today in the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. It originated as a patronymic name deriving from the first name "Hart", and was first found in the Dutch province of Friesland.
It is believed that the earliest known bearer of the Hartgens surname was “Hertgen Goertens”, who lived in Friesland in the early 19th century. Thus, the majority of people with this last name can trace their heritage back to the Netherlands.
In Germany, Hartgens has a slight variation called "Hortgens", and the majority are found scattered across the former East Germany. Since 1945, this part of the country has become less rural, resulting in a higher population density.
In Belgium, the name Hartgens is most common in the East of the country, especially the provinces of Limburg and Liège.
Although the surname is scattered widely, the most significant concentration of families bearing Hartgens still resides in Friesland. Today, many members of the Hartgens family remain in the Netherlands, though a growing number of families have begun to settle in other neighboring countries, such as Germans and Belgians.
Variations of the surname Hartgens
Hartgens is a Dutch surname that can be spelled in several ways. The most common variant of Hartgens is Hartjens, with a "J" instead of the "G". It is also sometimes spelled with a double "T" as in Harttjens. Alternate spellings can be Hartejens, Hartzjens and Hartgen.
In terms of surnames that have a similar origin, variants of Hartgens may include Hartgenstein, Hartkense and Hartkens. All of these surnames originate from the same root, Hart, and the suffix -gen or -gens, which is derived from the Dutch word meaning "son". This is a common ending used for Dutch surnames, and can denote descent from a particular family.
Other surnames with the same root include Hartge, Hartges and Hartog. All of these names also relate back to the Dutch word Hart, which has several meanings. The most commonly accepted meaning of Hart in the surname context is "strong and hardy".
Therefore, all of the surnames discussed in this article, whether they be variants or of the same origin, are derived from the Dutch word hart meaning strong and hardy. It is an excellent example of how surnames can be adapted over time to create new spellings and variant forms.
Famous people with the name Hartgens
- Jody Hartgens: Professional Wrestler and actor known for professional wrestling promotion WCW and his appearance appeared in ABaCUS+ Ding
- Emma Hartgens: Famous Nobel Prize winning South African Physicist
- Caleb Hartgens: Professional Basketball Player for the Indiana Pacers
- Stephan Hartgens: Darts champion from Germany
- Benton Hartgens: Ballroom dancer and silver medalist in the 2006 World Cup competition
- Kirsten Hartgens: Famous American singer and songwriter
- Hans Hartgens: Famous Swiss painter and sculptor
- Marius Hartgens: Dutch sculptor whose works are displayed in the CoBrA Museum
- Lawrence Hartgens: American film director and producer
- Eddie Hartgens: Major League Baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds in the 21st century