Surname Haenssel - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Haenssel: What does the surname Haenssel mean?
The surname Haenssel is derived from a German occupational name, meaning "dealer/seller of hares". This surname may refer to a merchant or huntsman who specialised in selling or hunting hares as a form of game. The name could also refer to someone who often hunted and caught hares or was employed in the fur trade in some way.
The surname may also have some French influences as 'hane' is a French term for hare. Thus, the name could refer to someone who hunted or sold hares in France. In some cases, the Haenssel name may have come to denote a nickname to describe someone who was particularly skilful or admired for their hunting.
The Haenssel surname can also originate from the old German personal name Heinso, 鈥楳einsoh’, which is derived from the Germanic word “hein”, meaning “home”. Thus, the name may have also been given to someone who originally had a large home or residence.
The Haenssel surname is relatively rare, with only 206 individuals in the United States bearing the name, according to the US Census Bureau. It may also be found in other parts of Europe, particularly in Germany, France, and Poland.
Overall, the surname Haenssel likely has multiple origins. However, it is generally thought to have originally referred to an occupation associated with hunting and selling hares.
Order DNA origin analysisHaenssel: Where does the name Haenssel come from?
The last name Haenssel is commonly found throughout Europe and Asia, but it is most commonly associated with Germany. The name is derived from the German word “Hans”, meaning “God is gracious”, and is thought to have originated in the Middle Ages. Haenssel is one of the most common surnames in Germany, ranking 157th in terms of frequency. It is also particularly common in certain regions such as the southern state of Bavaria.
Haenssel is also found in other countries such as France, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. It likely spread through various migrations and through marriage between families of different nationalities. In the past, there were even some pockets of the name in Canada and the United States, though its presence there has diminished over time.
Though it might not seem like a unique name, it’s worth noting that the name is not actually common outside of the Germanic countries -- due to the spelling and the sound of the name, it has simply not spread the same way as some other surnames have. This has led to a unique distribution of the name today.
Variations of the surname Haenssel
The surname Haenssel is a patronymic name of German origin, derived from the given name Hans. Variants of this surname include Hönsal, Hensl, Haun'sel, and Haunzell.
The various spellings of this surname are evident of the spelling modifications over time. In particular, the first letter “H” was replaced with the letter “K” and the last letter was replaced with “er” or changed to a double consonant. Depending on dialect, German names could be spelled in a variety of ways.
The various spellings and variants of this surname can be found in both Germany and Germany-speaking countries in Europe and can be attributed to dialect and ancestor migration. For example, the spelling variants of Hönsal and Haunzell are found more frequently in Germany, while Hensl and Haun'sel are common spellings in Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.
In the United States, the surname is seen more commonly spelled Haunssel or Hansel, in most cases having been altered to to fit the American pronunciation. Additionally, the spelling Haunsel is seen in some cases.
Overall, the surname Haenssel is a unique German name that has been altered over time and maintains various spellings and surnames throughout Europe and the United States.
Famous people with the name Haenssel
- Lena Haenssel: An Austrian fashion designer and content creator.
- Richard Haenssel: A German businessman who is the CEO and co-founder of Technoabdicht GmbH.
- Klaus-Peter Haenssel: A German engineer and professor who specializes in automotive engineering.
- Philippe Haenssel: A French actor who is best known for his roles in French comedy films.
- Dieter Haenssel: A German film and theater composer, musician and songwriter.
- Jan-Peter Haenssel: A German screenwriter and director.
- Lucien Haenssel: A French-born painter, sculptor, engraver, and designer.
- Paul Haenssel: A German sculptor and ceramicist.
- Roland Haenssel: A German cinematographer, film and theater director, and film producer.
- Yvonne Haenssel: A German television and film actress.