Surname Heidenrich - Meaning and Origin

Heidenrich: What does the surname Heidenrich mean?

The last name Heidenrich is of German origin and the literal translation is "rich in heaths". In older times heaths were areas of land covered with shrubs and wildflowers, like those found in windy coastal areas. The name was used to describe a person who had control over the heaths, such as having been granted a stretch of land, or whose wealth made them able to purchase a stretch of heaths.

The name Heidenrich is also often found in the regions of Bavaria, Prussia and North Rhine-Westphalia. It is possible that Heidenrich was originally the name of one of the first landowners in these regions. The name could also have been adopted as an occupational name for a person who owned or managed a heath.

The name Heidenrich is still quite notable in Germany today. There are over 900 entries with the name in the German phone directory. The name is often anglicized as Hendrich/Hendrick and is more common in the South and Midwestern United States.

Overall the last name Heidenrich was originally associated with ownership or control of a heath. It is likely that it was the name of an original landowner and has been passed down through the generations. Today it can still be found in both its native Germany and in anglicized forms in many parts of the United States.

Heidenrich: Where does the name Heidenrich come from?

The last name Heidenrich is most commonly found today throughout Germany and the United States. Although it is a relatively rare name, there are many people with this surname living in both countries.

In Germany, the name is concentrated in the states of Bavaria, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, and Saxony. It is particularly prevalent in the areas around Hamburg, Leipzig, Dresden, and Munich, where it originated in medieval times as a last name given to those who traded products in the open market.

In the United States, the name Heidenrich is most commonly found in Illinois, Pennsylvania, California, and New York. However, it is not limited to those states, and people with this surname can be found in many other parts of the country.

The Heidenrich surname dates back several centuries in Germany and at least three centuries here in the United States. It is unclear exactly where the name originated from, but some believe it may have come from the Middle Low German “Heidenriich”, which means “heathen king”. Whatever its origins may be, the Heidenrich surname is a respected one in both Germany and the United States.

Variations of the surname Heidenrich

Heidenrich is a variant spelling of the surname Heydrich, which is of German origin. The name is derived from the Middle High German words "heitin", meaning "heathen", and "riche", which means "rule". It could be seen as a reference to a "heathen ruler" or possibly as an occupational name for a servant of a heathen lord. It can also be seen as a locational name referring to someone from a "heathen kingdom". The surname Heidenrich is mainly found in Germany, with some presence in the United States, Brazil, and Canada.

Common variant spellings of the name Heidenrich include Heidenreich, Haydnrich, Heidnerich, Haidenrich, Heiteenrich, Heyderich, and Heydrich. Common surnames related to Heidenrich include Heyderick, Heidner, Heid, Heyde, Heyda, and Haid.

Heidenrich is an uncommon name, with only around 500 records on the web, so it is likely that people with the name are closely related.

Famous people with the name Heidenrich

• Elisabeth Heidenrich, German opera singer
• Christian Heidenrich, Swiss jazz pianist
• Johannes Heidenrich, German cellist
• Ulli Heidenrich, German producer and songwriter
• Eric Heidenrich, American former professional ice hockey player
• Max Heidenrich, German actor
• Angelika Heidenrich, German actor
• Klaas Heidenrich, German artist
• Jürgen Heidenrich, German new media artist
• Gert Heidenrich, German writer and director

Other surnames

Heidenreich