Surname Hoeckner - Meaning and Origin
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Hoeckner: What does the surname Hoeckner mean?
The last name Hoeckner is believed to be of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "jogger". It refers to a person who makes a living as a peddler or hawker. The term was commonly applied to people who sold goods to travellers and pilgrims. During the late Middle Ages, peddlers often moved among villages, exchanging goods for small amounts of money.
The name may also be related to the Old High German word "hoch", meaning "high" or "dwelling". It is likely that it originated as a nickname for someone who lived in a tall house, which could be found in certain parts of Germany in the Middle Ages. The surname is also found in other parts of the world, including England and the United States.
People with this last name tend to be hard working, practical, and independent in their thinking. They are often very ambitious, often striving to better themselves and their circumstances. They are also creative, coming up with interesting solutions to difficult problems. They are often not afraid of taking risks, and usually have the drive and determination necessary to make their dreams come true.
Order DNA origin analysisHoeckner: Where does the name Hoeckner come from?
The last name Hoeckner is most often associated with Germany, where it is seen frequently in various parts of the country. It is also found in regions of Austria that border the German states.
Hoeckner is an occupational surname, derived from the Old German word "hoc", meaning "hewer" or "cutter". It likely started to appear in records during the medieval era when German citizens were required to identify themselves and their profession using a fixed surname, rather than the more varied patronymic system of assigning names.
Hoeckner is a popular name in cities such as Hamburg, Berlin, and Munich, as well as in northwestern Germany, particularly around the Rhineland. Smaller numbers are found in Austria, but historically there has been a strong connection between the two regions.
In the United States, the surname appears considerably less frequently. According to the 2020 American Community Survey, there were only 945 people living with the last name Hoeckner. Most originated from Germany or Austria and their descendants still live in urban centers like Chicago and New York.
Overall, the last name Hoeckner is most commonly seen in Germany and Austria today. The name is found in smaller yet significant numbers in the United States, where it has been carried down by those who immigrated from Germany in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Variations of the surname Hoeckner
Hoeckner is a German surname that derives from “Hocken” or “Hoecken” and was predominantly used as a nickname given to a person who hopped. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include: Hocken, Hoecker, Hoekener, Hoekner, Hoken, Hokener, Hokenner, Hecken, Hockener, Hockner, and Hofkenner.
Hocken is the spelling most commonly found in Middle German records and documents. This form of the surname is thought to be derived from the German verb “hocken,” which means “hop,” and is likely a nickname used to refer to a person who hops. This surname is also found in the Netherlands where it is spelled “Hoecken” or “Hoeken.” In North America, this surname is commonly found spelled as Hoeckner, Hofkenner, and Hoekener.
A variant of the name, Hockener, is most commonly found in Central and Eastern European countries like Germany, Austria, and Poland. This variant is derived from the language in these countries and is believed to mean “one who works with a hoe.” Similarly, Hokenner is another variant of the Hoeckner surname that appears in North America and likely has the same meaning as its variant Hockener.
Other variants and spellings of the surname Hoeckner include Hecken, Hockner, and Hokener. Hecken is the Middle High German version of the “Hocken” surname and is often found in records from the Dutch region in what is now Germany. Hockner was the German version of the “Höcken” surname and is much rarer than its variant Hoecker. Hokener, another variant of Hoeckner, is found predominantly in North American records and is most likely derived from the Middle High German word “hoch” meaning “high.”
Famous people with the name Hoeckner
- Alfred Hoeckner: He was a German-born American conductor, composer and singer who worked from the mid-1800's until the early 1900's on Broadway and in New York's burgeoning theater scene.
- Gerd Hoeckner: A physicist and chemist from Germany who was a professor at the University of Göttingen and one of the pioneers of electrical engineering in the 20th century.
- Melina Hoeckner: A Colombian actress and model, she is noted for her roles in television series such as The Other Side and El Secreto de Bele.
- Steve Hoeckner: A Swiss-American professional ice hockey player who competed in theNational Hockey League from 1940 to 1949.
- Hugo Hoeckner: A German piano pedagogue, composer and writer who wrote the book "Technical Piano Playing" in 1912 and was the founder of the society for the advancement of music theory.
- Lieb Hoeckner: A German-American police officer in Germany during World War II who was awarded the Iron Cross for heroism in battle.
- Ludwig Hoeckner: A German fencer who competed at the 1912 Summer Olympics and who won two bronze medals in the team foil events.
- Pieter Hoeckner: A Dutch footballer who played in the Netherlands national team, and represented his country at the 1938 FIFA World Cup.
- Ursula Hoeckner: A Swiss figure skater who represented Switzerland at the 1948 Winter Olympics and who won a bronze medal at the 1952 European Figure Skating Championships.
- Willem Hoeckner: A Dutch sailor who represented his country at the 1928 Summer Olympics and who won a silver medal in the Yacht 6m Racing event.