Surname Hergesell - Meaning and Origin

Hergesell: What does the surname Hergesell mean?

The last name Hergesell is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German phrase "Hergis," meaning "army's hill." This indicates that the name originally belonged to people who were living near an army settlement or had a controlling presence in the area. It could be a reference to a prominent family in the local area who had a military presence, or it could refer to those who provided services to the military in some capacity (traders, farmers, etc).

The Hergesell name is also associated with hunting and horses, two valued German traits at the time. This could be related to a family that owned or traded horses, was actively involved in hunting, or had the title of huntsman.

Overall, it is likely that the last name Hergesell was initially derived from a family that had a high social position in the community, whether it was due to their control over the region and military presence, or their involvement in hunting and horse trading.

Hergesell: Where does the name Hergesell come from?

Hergesell is a German surname, originating from Herxheim am Berg in southwestern Germany. It is believed that the name had two distinct origins - one derived from the Germanic occupation of family heads, and the other derived from the name of an ancestral home locale. Hergesell families have been documented in the region around Herxheim am Berg since the late 13th century.

Today, the last name Hergesell is still quite common in Southwest Germany, in particular in Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Hessen. Hergesell is also found in Austria, specifically in Vorarlberg, Salzburg, and Tyrol. Additionally, some Hergesell families which emigrated from Germany during the 18th century may be found in certain areas of the United States, particularly in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and New York.

The last name Hergesell is also common in many countries of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, in particular Croatia, Slovakia, Serbia, and Hungary, where it is found mainly in the western border regions. Lastly, Hergesell may be found in parts of Latin America, such as Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina.

Variations of the surname Hergesell

The surname Hergesell can be found spelled in a variety of ways, including Hergesel, Hergeseler, Hergesheimer, and Hergeseller. The origin of this name is likely German, as that is where most of these variations are found. It is possible that this surname could be related to an occupational name, as Hergesell could have been derived from "Hirtegsell," which translates as "shepherd." This would make sense, particularly with the many variations of the name found in Germany today.

Furthermore, the name could also be related to the German word "Hergesele," meaning "small herd." During the Middle Ages, members of a family or village would often take care of a small herd of animals on the local grazing lands. This could be the source of this particular surname. In addition, some of the variants of Hergesell could have developed from the family's place of origin. For example, those with the name "Hergeseler" may have come from a location known as "Hergesel" or somewhere in close proximity, and similarly "Hergesheimer" could have derived from a place known as "Hergesheim."

Overall, the origin of the surname Hergesell is likely Germanic, and the many variations found today are likely to be occupational, locational, or both. There is also the possibility that the name was adopted by members of other cultures, in which case the origin may be different. By researching the particular variant of the name, it may be possible to learn more about the specific origin.

Famous people with the name Hergesell

• Werner Hergesell: German professor of geology and hydraulics.
• Paul Hergesell: German lawyer, judge and politician.
• Johannes Hergesell: German bassoonist and composer.
• Adolf Hergesell: German theologian.
• Hans Hergesell: German mathematician and philosopher.
• Alexander Hergesell: German bobsledder who won two bronze medals at the 1988 Winter Olympics.
• William Hergesell: American actor and voice actor, best known for his roles in TV series such as soap operas.
• Wolfgang Hergesell: German actor and journalist.
• Fritz Hergesell: German sculptor who worked during the twenties and thirties of the 20th century.
• Johanu Hergesell: German physicist and professor at the University of Cologne.

Other surnames

Hergeselle