Surname Spitzhorn - Meaning and Origin
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Spitzhorn: What does the surname Spitzhorn mean?
The last name Spitzhorn is derived from German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) origins, and is thought to have begun as a toponymic (place name) surname. It is most likely derived from the Middle High German word "spiz," meaning "peak" or "pointed," combined with the word "horn," most likely referring to a mountain peak, ridge, or headland. This suggests that the name may have first referred to someone who lived on or near a mountain peak or headland.
In some instances, however, the surname may have originally referred to a dwelling located near a peak or headland. Alternatively, it may have referred to a family or lineage that held ancestral lands near a peak or headland.
In more recent centuries, the surname may have been adopted as an occupational name for those who hunted or practiced falconry on or near a mountain peak or headland. It may also have referred to a tavernkeeper who owned an establishment near a peak or headland.
No matter its origin, the surname Spitzhorn generally refers to a family or individual who is closely associated with a mountain peak. As a name, it carries strength and a sense of fortitude derived from associations with enduring land forms.
Order DNA origin analysisSpitzhorn: Where does the name Spitzhorn come from?
The last name Spitzhorn is most common today in Germany, particularly in the German state of Bavaria. According to the German Federal Statistical Office, around 168 people in Germany had the surname Spitzhorn in 2020 This makes it a relatively rare surname compared to many others, such as Müller, Schmidt, and Schröder, which range in the hundreds of thousands to millions.
The Spitzhorn surname is believed to have originated in Bavaria, as a term used to describe a person who lived near a meadow, pasture, or a wood, with a steep hill nearby. Today, many people who share the Spitzhorn surname still live in Bavaria, as well as in other areas of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
In the United States, the Spitzhorn surname is also present, primarily among German-American families with ancestry from the aforementioned countries. It’s likely that the Spitzhorn family name spread to the US during the mid 19th century, when migration from Europe to America was booming. Census records from the mid-1800sdemonstrate that many of the earliest Americans with the Spitzhorn last name were born in Germany and Austria.
Overall, the Spitzhorn surname is most commonly found today in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States. Most people with the Spitzhorn last name likely have German or Austrian heritage, as it is believed to have originated in Bavaria.
Variations of the surname Spitzhorn
The surname Spitzhorn is of German origin and is derived from the word “spitz" which means sharp or pointed, and the word “horn" which refers to a horn-like shape. Variants of Spitzhorn include Spitzhorne, Spitzhorn, Spitzehorn, and Spitzehorne.
The surname is also spelled in a variety of ways, including Spitzern, Spitzeern, Spitzenhorn, Spitzehorn, Spitzernhorn, Spitzhornn, and Spitzhornne.
In German, the “-horn” and “-horne” endings are interchangeable, and indicate a geographical origin as well as a heritage or family name. Thus, there are a number of family surnames which are related to and derived from Spitzhorn.
Variants include Spitzehornen, Spitzehorner, Spitzehorneck, Spitzehornend, Spitzehorneck, Spitzehournet, Spitzenhorne, Spitzehorneck, Spitzehornem, Spitzehornen, Spitzehornet, Spitzenhorn, Spitzenhorner, Spitzehorneck, and Spitzenhorn.
Surnames with a similar origin include Speer, Speier, Speir, Spier, Spiesser, Speiser, and Spicker. These surnames are derived from the Middle High German word “spitze”, which means pointed or sharp, and in some cases, may have been a nickname.
Ultimately, the many variants of the surname Spitzhorn point to a common origin and heritage, and may help individuals with this family name discover more about their ancestors and family history.
Famous people with the name Spitzhorn
- Marc Spitzhorn: German actor and writer.
- Johannes Spitzhorn: German legal scholar and jurist.
- Paul Spitzhorn: German football player and manager.
- Celeste Spitzhorn: American singer-songwriter and composer.
- Adalbert Spitzhorn: Austrian artist and illustrator.
- Karl Spitzhorn: Austrian painter and sculptor.
- Mathilde Spitzhorn: Swiss cartoonist.
- Emily Spitzhorn: American Paralympic Alpine skier.
- Mackenzie Spitzhorn: American actress.
- Karl Spitzhorn: German sociologist and lawyer.