Browse Submitted Surnames

This is a list of submitted surnames in which the usage is Danish or Dutch or English or German or Norwegian or Swedish.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Held German, Jewish, Dutch
Means "hero" in German, ultimately derived from Middle High German helt. This name was bestowed upon a person either in its literal meaning or else in an ironic sense.
Helder Dutch, German, Upper German, English
1. Dutch and German: from a Germanic personal name Halidher, composed of the elements haliò “hero” + hari, heri “army”, or from another personal name, Hildher, composed of the elements hild “strife”, “battle” + the same second element... [more]
Heldt German
Variant of Held.
Helfer German
Metonymic occupational name for an assistant of some kind, or nickname for a helpful person, from Middle High German hëlfære, German Helfer 'helper', 'assistant'.
Helfrich German, French
from the personal name Helfrich composed of the ancient Germanic elements helfa "help" and rih "power rule".
Helgeson English (American), Swedish (Rare)
Variant or anglicized form of Helgesson or Helgesen.
Helgesson Swedish
Means "son of Helge" in Swedish.
Helgren English (American)
Americanized form of Swedish Hellgren.
Helland Norwegian
The Old Norse name element -land meaning "country, land" combined with either Old Norse hella "flat rock" or hellir "cave". ... [more]
Hellbom Swedish
From Swedish häll, a type of flat rock, and bom "barrier, boom".
Helle German
Topographic name probably derived from Old High German helle "hell", denoting a place with a steep hollow or a wild area.
Helle Norwegian
From any of several toponyms derived from Old Norse hallr "rock, boulder, stone slab".
Hellen German, English (American)
Possibly from the given names Helen or Hilde (see Hellenbrand).
Hellenbrand German
Derived from germanic: hildtja = battle, brandt = sword, or prandt = burning wood/torch. Other view: Hilda is the Nordic Queen of the Underworld, Goddes of Death, so Sword/Torch of Hilda.... [more]
Heller German
Nickname from the small medieval coin known as the häller or heller, named for the city it was first minted (in 1208) at, Hall am Kocher (currently called Schwäbisch Hall).
Hellgren Swedish
Combination of Swedish häll "flat rock" and gren "branch".
Hellmann German
Habitational name from Middle Low German helle meaning precipitous terrain, steep slope" and mann meaning "man".
Hellmich German
Derived from a personal name composed of the Germanic elements helm "helmet" and wig "battle".
Hellstrand Swedish
Strand means beach.
Hellwig German, Dutch
Derived from the given name Heilwig.
Helm English, Dutch, German
Either from Old English helm "protection covering" (in later northern English dialects "cattle shelter barn"). The name may be topographic for someone who lived by or worked at a barn or habitational from a place so named such as Helme in Meltham (Yorkshire)... [more]
Helmcke German
Variant of Helmke.
Helmeier German, Dutch, Danish
Variant spelling of Helmeyer.
Helmer German, Dutch
From the given name Helmer.
Helmeyer German, Dutch, Danish
Derived from Middle Dutch meier "bailiff, steward; tenant farmer" and an uncertain first element.
Helmke German
from a pet form of Helm
Helmreich German
from the ancient Germanic personal name Helmrich composed of the elements helm "helmet" and rih "ruler, king".
Helmsley English
This English habitational name originates with the North Yorkshire village of Helmsley, named with the Old English personal name Helm and leah, meaning 'clearing'.
Helsing Swedish
Denoted a person who came from the Swedish province Hälsingland.
Helton English (American)
Habitational name from Helton in Cumbria, named in Old English probably with helde "slope" and tun "farmstead, settlement", or possibly a variant of Hilton... [more]
Helwig German
Variant of Hellwig.
Hember English
From the West Country area near Bristol.
Hemingway English
Habitational name probably from an unidentified place in West Yorkshire, derived from the Old English given name Hemma combined with weg "way, road, path"... [more]
Hemmings English
Derived from the given name Hemming. It is the last name of the band member of Five Seconds of Summer (5sos), Luke Hemmings.
Hemmington English
Origin uncertain, possibly derived from the given name Hemming.
Hemsley English
English: habitational name from either of two places in North Yorkshire called Helmsley. The names are of different etymologies: the one near Rievaulx Abbey is from the Old English personal name Helm + Old English leah ‘wood’, ‘clearing’, whereas Upper Helmsley, near York, is from the Old English personal name Hemele + Old English eg ‘island’, and had the form Hemelsey till at least the 14th century
Hemsworth English
Habitational name from a place in West Yorkshire, England, meaning "Hymel's enclosure".
Hence German, English, Welsh
An American spelling variant of Hentz derived from a German nickname for Hans or Heinrich or from an English habitation name found in Staffordshire or Shropshire and meaning "road or path" in Welsh.
Hendel Yiddish, German, Dutch
From the given name Hendel, a Yiddish diminutive of Hannah.
Hendrickson German
Derivative of the Old German personnel “Heimric” meaning “home rule”.
Hendryckx Dutch, Flemish
From the given name Hendrick
Hengst German, Dutch
metonymic occupational name for someone who worked with or bred horses or a nickname for a brave strong man from Middle High German and Middle Dutch hengest "stallion" also "gelding" derived from Old Germanic hangist "stallion"... [more]
Henke German
Derived from a diminutive of the name Heinrich.
Henker German
Occupational name for an Executioner, from the German word "Henker" meaning Hangman.
Henley English, Irish, German (Anglicized)
English: habitational name from any of the various places so called. Most, for example those in Oxfordshire, Suffolk, and Warwickshire, are named with Old English héan (the weak dative case of heah ‘high’, originally used after a preposition and article) + Old English leah ‘wood’, ‘clearing’... [more]
Henn German, English
Derived from the given names Heinrich and Henry.
Henne English
From a diminutive of Henry.
Hennebery English (American)
A berry and an alias used by March McQuin
Hennen German, Dutch
Patronymic of Henne.
Hennes English
From the diminutive of Henry.
Henni English
A name coined by the contributor of this name, to describe himself
Henrie English (Rare)
Derived from the given name Henrie, a variant of Henry.
Henschel German, Jewish
From a pet form of the personal name Johannes (see John), or in some cases from a pet form of Heinrich.
Hensen English, Irish
English patronymic from the personal name Henn/Henne, a short form of Henry, Hayne (see Hain), or Hendy... [more]
Hensley English
Probably a habitational name from either of two places in Devon: Hensley in East Worlington, which is named with the Old English personal name Heahmund and Old English leah "(woodland) clearing", or Hensleigh in Tiverton, which is named from Old English hengest "stallion" (or the Old English personal name Hengest) and leah... [more]
Hentz German
From a nickname for Hans or Heinrich.
Hentze German, Faroese
Derived from the given names Heinrich or Hans.
Henwood English
Habitational name from any of various places so named, as for example Henwood in Cornwall, in Linkinhorne parish, which is named from Old English henn 'hen', 'wild bird' + wudu 'wood', or Hen Wood in Wootton, Oxfordshire
Herald English
Occupational name for a herald.
Herbarth German, Norman
References Old Norse Deity "Odin" being one of the "Son's of Odin". Remember that the Geats became the Ostrogoths through the Denmark pass--referenced in Beowulf. Or, it means "Warrior of the Bearded One", perhaps a King... [more]
Herbaugh English (American)
Americanized form of German Harbach.
Herberger German
Innkeeper to the crown
Herbolsheimer German
Habitational name for someone from either of two places called Herbolzheim, in Baden and Bavaria.
Herbst German, Jewish
Nickname from Middle High German herbest "harvest". The modern German word herbst has come to mean "fall" the time of year when the harvest takes place... [more]
Herbster German
Occupational name for a grape picker or vintner from Middle High German herbest "(grape) harvest".
Herd Dutch
Comes from Middle Dutch hert, herte ‘hart’, ‘stag’; probably a nickname for someone who was fleet of foot, or a habitational name for someone who lived at a house distinguished by the sign of a deer; variant of Heard.
Herder German
An occupational surname in reference to herding animals. The anglicized pronounciation is "Her-der", but is Germanically pronounced, "Herr-der".
Hereford English
Habitational name from Hereford in Herefordshire, or Harford in Devon and Goucestershire, all named from Old English here "army" + ford "ford".
Herfurth German
Either a metonymic occupational name for a soldier from Middle High German hervart "campaign military expedition" (from Old High German heri "army" and vart "journey")... [more]
Hergenöther German
Habitational name for someone from Hergenroth near Limburg or from Hergenrode near Darmstadt, both in Hessen.
Heritage English (Rare)
English status name for someone who inherited land from an ancestor, rather than by feudal gift from an overlord, from Middle English, Old French (h)eritage ‘inherited property’ (Late Latin heritagium, from heres ‘heir’).
Herlev Danish
Derived from the suburb of Herlev in Denmark.
Hermansdotter f Swedish (Rare)
Means "daughter of Herman". This surname is only used by females.
Hermes German, Dutch
From a pet form of the name Herman.
Hermsen Dutch
Means "son of Herm", a short form of Herman.
Herndon English
Habitational name from a lost or unidentified place, possibly derived from Old English hyrne "corner, angle, nook" and dun "hill, mountain". Alternatively, it could derive from an older form of the toponym Harrowden, composed of hearg "temple, altar, pile of stones" and dun "hill".
Herner German
Denoted someone hailing from the city Herne in Germany.
Hero English
From the personal name Robert
Herod English
Usually a variant of Herald but Occasionally the name may have been used as a nickname in allusion to the Biblical King Herod played as a bragging tyrant in medieval mystery plays or for someone who had an overbearing temper but evidence to support this possibility is lacking.
Herold English, Dutch, German
From the given name Herold. This was the surname of David Herold, one of the conspirators in the Abraham Lincoln assassination plot.
Herrgott German, Alsatian
Literally means "Lord God" in German.
Herrick English
From the personal name Erik.
Herridge English
habitational name from Herridges in Pauntley (Gloucestershire) or Highridge in King's Nympton (Devon). The Gloucestershire placename may derive from Old English hæg "fence enclosure" and hrycg "ridge" or while the Devon placename comes from an uncertain initial element and Old English hrycg.
Herring German, English, Dutch, Scottish
Occupational name for a fisherman, someone who caught or sold herring, or perhaps someone known for eating herring. It could have also been a nickname from the medieval phrase "to like neither herring nor barrel", meaning something of little value.
Herrington English
habitational name from Herrington in County Durham, England
Herrman German
Herrman is of ancient German origin. It is derived from a Germanic personal name made up of the elements heri meaning "army," and man meaning "man." Herrman was first found in Prussia, where the name emerged in medieval times as one of the notable families of the region.
Herschbach German
From the name of two municipalities in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany. A notable bearer is the American chemist Dudley R. Herschbach (1932-).
Herschmann German, Yiddish
Variant of Hersch with the addition of the German suffix -mann meaning "man".
Herst English
Variant of Hurst
Hertig German
Hertig is associated with the popular German personal name Hartwig, meaning "hard-battle."
Hertzberg German
From Hertz "heart" and berg "mountain"
Hertzel German
The ancestral home of the Hertzel family is in the German province of Bavaria. Hertzel is a German nickname surname. Such names came from eke-names, or added names, that described their initial bearer through reference to a physical characteristic or other attribute... [more]
Hervey English
Derived from the given name Harvey.
Herwig German, Dutch
Derived from the given name Herwig.
Herz German
Means "heart" in German.
Herzberg German, Jewish
habitational name from any of numerous places called Herzberg. artificial compound name from German herz "heart" and berg "hill".
Herzfeld German
Derived from the same name of a municipality in Bitburg-Prüm, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
Herzl German, Jewish
Variant of Hertz. It was notably borne by the Austro-Hungarian Jewish journalist, writer and political activist Theodor Herzl (1860-1904), who is considered the founder of the modern Zionist movement.
Hes Dutch
Variant of Hess.
Hesketh English
Combination of Old Norse hestr "horse" and skeið "racecourse". This is the name of several paces in England.
Heskin English
Variant of Askin.
Hess German
Habitational name from Hesse, a German state. It can also derive from the personal name Hesso, a short form of Matthäus, Hendrick, or a name containing the element hadu "battle, strife".
Heß German, Jewish
Variant spelling of Hess.
Hessay English
From the name of a village in North Yorkshire, derived from Old English hæsel "hazel" and "sea" or eg "water".
Hessler German
Topographic surname derived from Middle High German place name Hasel or Hesel (Meaning "Hazel)
Hester English
This surname is derived from a given name, which is the Latin form of Esther.
Heston English, Irish
Derived from Heston, a suburban area in West London (historically in Middlesex), or Histon, a village and civil parish in Cambridgeshire, England. It is either named with Old English hǣs meaning "brushwood" and tūn meaning "farmstead, settlement, estate", or from hyse "shoot, tendril, son, youth" and tūn... [more]
Hetherington English
Derived from Hetherington, a like-named place in Northumberland
Hett German, Frisian
From the personal name Hette, a short form of names containing the element hadu "strife, battle, combat".
Heuer German
The name comes from the German word "Heu" meaning "hay."
Heuermann German
Occupational name for (a freshly hired hand, a day laborer) from Middle High German huren "to hire" and man "man".
Heumann German
Occupational name from German heu meaning "hay".
Heuser German
Deriving from one of several places named Hausen.
Heuvel Dutch
Means "hill" in Dutch, the name of several locations.
Hew English
English: variant of the name Hugh. This was at one time the usual form of the personal name in Scotland. English: occupational name from Middle English hewe ‘domestic servant’
Hewit English
Variant of Hewitt
Hexenjäger German
Hexenjäger is a German last name meaning hunter of witches or witch Hunter.
Hexspoor Dutch
Derived from Middle Dutch hicken "to pick, to chop" and spoor "spur", a nickname for a rider who often spurred on their horse.
Heydlauff German (Americanized, Modern)
people lived in the Black Forest region of Germany. Many migrated to Michigan, USA
Heyer German, Dutch
Occupational name for a grower or reaper of grass for hay, from Middle High German höu "grass, hay" and the agent suffix -er. Could also be a variant spelling of Heier.
Heyer Dutch
From Middle Dutch heiger "heron", a nickname for someone with long legs. Alternatively, from a Germanic personal name composed of hag "enclosure, hedge" and heri "army".
Heyer English
Variant of Ayer.
Heyerdahl Norwegian
Combination of Heyer from heiðr, "heath, moor" in Old Norse and Dahl from dalr, "valley" in Old Norse... [more]
Heygate English
From a location which is either "hay gate" (hay + Old English geat) or "high gate" (heáh + geat).
Heynckes German
From a diminutive of the given name Heinrich. A famous bearer is retired German soccer player and coach Jupp Heynckes (1945-).
Heywood English
From a place name derived from Old English heah meaning "high" and wudu meaning "tree, wood".
Hiatt English
From the given name Hiatt
Hibbard English
English: variant of Hilbert.
Hibberts English
A variant of Hibbert, ultimately coming from Hilbert to begin with.
Hibbs English
This possibly derived from a medieval diminutive, similar to Hobbs for Robert.
Hick Dutch
From a variant of the Germanic personal name Hilke, such as Icco or Hikke, a pet form of names beginning with the element hild "strife, battle".
Hick English
From the medieval personal name Hicke, a diminutive of Richard. The substitution of H- as the initial resulted from the inability of the English to cope with the velar Norman R-.
Hick German
From a derivative of a Slavic pet form of Heinrich.
Hick German
From Hiko, a pet form of any of the Germanic personal names formed with hild "strife", "battle" as the first element.
Hickel English
Variant of Huck
Hicklin English (American)
The closest surname found is Hickey, an Irish name dirived from descendant from the healer.... [more]
Hickory English
Meaning uncertain.
Hickson Irish, English
It means ‘countryman’ similar to Hickman
Hiddleston English, Scottish
Habitational name from a place called Huddleston in Yorkshire, England. The place name was derived from the Old English personal name HUDEL.
Hider English
A name for someone who tans hides.
Hield English (British)
Olde English pre 7th Century. Topographical name meaning slope.
Hiemstra West Frisian, Dutch
Derived from West Frisian hiem "home" or the related Dutch Low Saxon hiem "farmstead, homestead" combined with the habitational suffix -stra.
Hieronymus German
From the Greek given name ‘Ιερωνυμος (Hieronymos) meaning "sacred name" (see Jerome).
Higdon English
From the personal name Hikedun.
Higgin English
From the given name Higgin
Higginbotham English
Habitational name for a minor place in Lancashire, now called Oakenbottom, derived from Old English ac "oak" and botm "ground, soil, bottom"
Higgins English
Patronymic from the medieval personal name Higgin, a pet form of Hick.
Higginson English
Patronymic from the medieval personal name Higgin, a pet form of Hick.
High English
A name for someone who lives in a high place, like a mountain or hill.
Highbaugh German
The altered spelling of Heibach. A habitational name from a place so named in the Rhineland, near Lindlar.
Highland English, German
English, Scottish, and Irish: variant spelling of Hyland 1 or Hyland 2.... [more]
Highmore English
From Old English hēah meaning "high" and mōr meaning "moor, marsh".
Hijnen Dutch
Either deprived from Heine this short form for Heinrich means "home ruler"... [more]
Hike English
To hike or move, to walk, someone who hikes.
Hilbert German, French, Dutch, English
From the Germanic personal name Hildiberht.
Hildebrandt German
Derived from the given name Hildebrand.
Hildegard Germanic, German
From the given name Hildegard.
Hildenbrand German
Variant of Hildebrand
Hilder English
English (mainly Sussex and Kent): topographic name from the Middle English hilder “dweller on a slope” (from Old English hylde “slope”).
Hildersley English
Meadow of the hilldweller.
Hile English (American)
Americanized spelling of Dutch Heil.
Hilfiker German (Swiss)
Altered spelling of Hilfinger, patronymic derivative of the personal name Hilfo, Helfo, a short form of a Germanic personal name based on helfe 'helper'.
Hilger German, Dutch, French
From the personal name Hilger, composed of the elements hild "strife, battle" and ger "spear".
Hilgersen German
Means "son of Hilger”. From a Germanic personal name composed of the elements hild 'strife', 'battle' + gar, ger 'spear' and sen 'son'. Most common in Northern Germany.
Hillary English
From the given name Hillary. A famous bearer is explorer Edmund Hillary (1919-2008)
Hillegas German
German: Variant of Hillegass from a variant of the Germanic personal name Hildegaud, composed of hild ‘strife’, ‘battle’ + got, of uncertain meaning (perhaps the same word as Goth).
Hillen Dutch, German
Patronymic of Hille, a pet form of given names containing the element hild "strife, battle".
Hillenburg English (American), German (Archaic)
Possibly taken from a place named Hallenberg in Germany.
Hillery English, Irish
Variant of Hillary. This surname has long been established in the county of Clare in Ireland. It was borne by the Irish president Patrick Hillery (1923-2008).
Hilliard English
From the Norman female given name Hildiard, a variant of Germanic Hildegard, derived from hilt "strife, battle" and gart "enclosure, yard".
Hillier English
Occupational name for a roof tiler or thatcher from Middle English helier "roofer, slater, tiler", ultimately derived from Old English helan "to hide, conceal, cover".
Hilliker German
The last name of Dance Moms star, Kalani Hilliker.
Hillock English
Name for someone who lived near or on a hillock, derived from Middle English hillok. Essentially a variant of Hill with a diminutive suffix.
Hills English
Variant of Hill.
Hilmar German
Derived from the German given name Hilmar.
Hilpert German
Variant of Hilbert, derived from the given name Hildebert.
Hiltz German
Variant of Hilz.
Himmel German
German word for "sky"
Himmelreich German, Jewish
humorous topographic name from a place so named as being at a high altitude from Middle High German himel "heaven" and riche "empire" meaning "kingdom of heaven, heavenly kingdom".
Himmelstein German, Jewish
topographic name for someone living by a feature so named from Middle High German himel "heaven, sky" and stein "rock, stone" meaning "stone in the sky, sky stone"
Himmler German, History
Derived from German Himmel "heaven, sky". This was a topographic name for someone living at a high altitude. ... [more]
Hinckle German (Americanized)
Americanized form of Hinkel.
Hinckley English
From the name of a place in Leicestershire meaning "Hynca's wood", from the Old English byname Hynca, derivative of hún "bear cub", and leah "woodland, clearing".
Hind English, Scottish
English (central and northern): nickname for a gentle or timid person, from Middle English, Old English hind ‘female deer’.... [more]
Hinderks Dutch, Frisian
Means "son of Hinderk".
Hindle English
Habitational name from a place in the parish of Whalley, Lancashire, so called from the same first element + Old English hyll 'hill'.
Hindley English
English (Lancashire): habitational name from a place near Manchester, so named from Old English hind ‘female deer’ + leah ‘wood’, ‘clearing’.
Hine English
occupational name from Middle English Old English hine "servant member of a household" also "farm laborer" (such as a herdsman or shepherd)... [more]