Surname Horney - Meaning and Origin
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Horney: What does the surname Horney mean?
The last name Horney is believed to have originated from a German or Dutch word meaning 'hornet.' It is thought to have been derived from the Middle Low German words hornt and hornte, which literally mean hornet. It is believed that the name Horney was primarily a nickname for someone who had a trait inspired by the fierce and determined nature of the hornet. Alternatively, the family name may have come from a locality named Horney.
Over the centuries, members of the Horney family likely spread throughout Europe before ultimately coming to the United States. The first known Horney to come to America was John Horney, who arrived to Pennsylvania in 1753. From there, many other families of the Horney surname eventually settled in several states, particularly in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, and Kentucky.
Today, the Horney family continues to be a respected name across the United States. While family members may have their roots in Germany or Dutch, they are now an integral part of the American culture.
Order DNA origin analysisHorney: Where does the name Horney come from?
The last name Horney is most common in North America today and is particularly prevalent in the United States. It originated in Germany in the area of Silesia and is still well represented there.
In the US, the last name is most often found in the states of California and Texas. There is also a good presence of the name in Washington D.C., New York, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, and several other states. The last name is more frequently found in the Midwest and the South than elsewhere in the country.
Horney is also relatively popular in Canada, specifically in the province of Ontario. There is much lower presence of the name in the United Kingdom, though it is still represented there.
Overall, the last name Horney appears to be most prominent in North America, yet it has its roots in Germany and is still present in that country.
Variations of the surname Horney
The surnames Horney, Horny, Horneye, Hurny, and Horne are all variants, alternate spellings, and associated names that share the same origin.
The surname Horney is derived from the Middle High German word "horny" meaning "horn". This name was originally a status name for someone who played a horn or bugle and was an occupational name for one who made horns, which was quite common in medieval Europe.
Horny as a variant of Horney has an Anglo-Saxon origin and is speculated to have been derived from hurn, a dialectal variation of the Middle English term horne, and was an occupational surname for one who made or sold horns or for someone who lived near a horn-shaped landmark.
Horneye is an alternate spelling of Horney and is of the same origin.
Hurny is an additional spelling of the surname and its origin is believed to be from the Old English pre 7th Century word hyrnemeaning "acked piece of ground".
Horny has a derived form in the surname Horne, which is the Old English variant of the Middle High German surname Horney. This surname typically referred to someone who lived on or by a horn-shaped hill or landform.
All of these variations of the surname Horney have different spellings, but share the same origin which is rooted in the Medieval word for horn.
Famous people with the name Horney
- Karen Horney: Karen Horney (1879-1952) was a German-American psychoanalyst who contributed significantly to psychological theory and practice. She was one of the first feminists in the field, and is best known for her theories of neurosis.
- Bruno Horney: Bruno Horney (1919-2006) was a German philosopher and academic who was best known for his works on Kantian philosophy, which he examined from a Heideggerian and critical realist perspective.
- Detlev Horney: Detlev Horney (1905-1983) was a German chemist who made significant contributions to molecular spectroscopy, nuclear physics, and high-energy physics.
- Hans Horney: Hans Horney (1887-1968) was an internationally acclaimed German portrait photographer who was also involved in the international avant-garde art movement of the early 20th century.
- Henning Horney: Henning Horney (1913-2002) was a German-American entrepreneur who made significant contributions to the field of business and international trade. He was a founder and chairman of the Boston Consulting Group.
- Cornelius Horney: Cornelius Horney (1855-1936) was an American politician who served several terms in the Wisconsin State Legislature and was the mayor of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
- Bernd Christian Horney: Bernd Christian Horney (1947- ) is an Austrian-German psychologist and psychoanalyst. He has served as the President of the International Psychoanalytic Association and has made major contributions to the study of existential psychotherapy.