Surname Härting - Meaning and Origin
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Härting: What does the surname Härting mean?
The German last name Härting is derived from the German occupational or status surname “Herten”, which means “horned” or “having horns” and might refer to the ancient medieval tradition of nobles wearing antlers on their crests as a sign of power and authority.
The name could also be linked to a place name deriving from “Herten” (horned) and might refer to areas in the Rhineland and in Westphalia that had a population of “armed families” (a so-called “Höfegemeinschaft”) during the Middle Ages.
The variations of the name Härting include Harting, Härting, Hartung and Herting. The variations in spelling might be due to variants in dialect or to a change of spelling for official reasons such as immigration, marriage and adoption.
The name is mostly found in Germany, but it is also found across the Netherlands, South Africa and the US. In the US, the first known settlers with the name of Härting were Philipp Harting, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1820.
As far as the current population is concerned, Härting is an uncommon name and is mostly found in Germany, where it is often used to refer to a person of a higher social standing. The meaning of the name therefore may be interpreted to mean “respectable and people of status”.
Order DNA origin analysisHärting: Where does the name Härting come from?
The surname Härting is mainly found throughout Central Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is believed to derive from the Middle High German word "hardinge," which came from the Old German root "harding," meaning strong or bold. This suggests that long ago, the bearers of the name possessed strength, courage, and resilience.
Today, many people in Austria and Germany who bear the surname Härting live in the regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. In Saxony, Härting is a very common name. In Switzerland, the surname is concentrated in well-known towns such as Winterthur and Lausanne. It is also common in certain regions of France, particularly in the Auvergne- Rhône-Alpes area.
In addition, the surname is often found in nearby countries such as Belgium, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia. Although most people with the Härting surname are of Germanic origin, the name has spread to other areas such as Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand as the result of migration.
Overall, the surname Härting is widely spread throughout Central Europe and beyond. Those who bear the name continue to display its original meaning of strength and courage, making a lasting impact on the world.
Variations of the surname Härting
The surname Härting has several variants and spellings that come from the same origin. These could include Häring, Herting, Häringer, Häringle, Harring, Järing, and Hörting. This surname is of German origin and is thought to have both occupational and locational roots.
The occupational origin of the surname relates to ‘Hering’, which is German for herring. This could indicate that the original bearer of the name was a herring merchant or fisherman. Alternatively it may have referred to someone who processed herrings or was in a profession related to it.
The locational origin of the surname relates to the region of Heringen which is located in the present day German state of Thuringia. This region was formerly known as Thüringerwald, and many of its inhabitants adopted the surname Heringen as an adaptation of their place of origin.
The surname is also found in other countries, but with different spellings. For instance the surname is found in Denmark and Netherlands as Herring, in Sweden as Herrnhäring and Härnhäring, and in Poland as Herting. All these variations indicate the same origin for the surname.
Famous people with the name Härting
- Johann Baptist Härting (1787–1833): an Austrian composer, violonist, and choir master.
- Max Härting (1864–1945): a German pianist, conductor and composer.
- Alfred Härting (1871–1917): a German geologist and zoologist.
- Auguste Härting (1872–1956): a German botanist and plant pathologist.
- Ludwig Härting (1899–1952): a German aviation pioneer, aircraft designer and manufacturer.
- Fred Härting (1925–1992): a German actor and director.
- Irma Härting (born 1930): a Swiss art historian and author.
- Peter Härting (born 1938): a German journalist, broadcaster and television presenter.
- Jakob Härting (born 1951): a German television reporter, editor and documentarian.
- Heinz-Ludolf Härting (born 1959): a German theologian, professor, and Bishop of the Evangelical Church of Westphalia.