Surname Hummelberger - Meaning and Origin
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Hummelberger: What does the surname Hummelberger mean?
Hummelberger is a German surname derived from the Bavarian or Swiss word hummel, which translates to the English word for bumblebee. Legend has it that the name was born when a Bavarian soldier escaped from a battle, like a bumblebee buzzing around a field of flowers, and was dubbed the Hummelberger for his quick and agile escape.
Historically, the Hummelberger surname was associated with the aristocratic class and was known to indicate notable status. It was a popular name within the upper class, and individuals with the name Hummelberger were believed to have till recently occupied high positions such as bishop, count, etc.
The Hummelberger family has long spread out across the world, and the name has morphed and changed over time. Some variations of the name include Hummleberger, Hummellberger, Himmelberger, and even Kimbleberry in America.
Today, the Hummelberger name is most prominent in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, where the family has its roots. However, due to emigration, the name can be found around the world, including the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Order DNA origin analysisHummelberger: Where does the name Hummelberger come from?
The last name Hummelberger is most commonly found today in Germany, the United States, and Austria. In Germany, according to the 2019 census, there were a total of 8,244 people with the last name Hummelberger. The United States had 1,395 last recorded in the last census. Austria had 514 at last count. The Hummelberger family name originated in the German region of Bavaria prior to the nineteenth century. It is unclear exactly how the name came to be, but one popular theory is that it is derived from a nickname for "a large beekeeper." The German variant of the name is "Hummelberger," while the Austrian variant is "Hummelberz."
The population of people with the Hummelberger last name is spread fairly evenly across the German-speaking world, with slight leanings toward Germany and the United States in terms of numbers. In terms of distributions within the United States, the Hummelberger family name is most common in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio, with minor presences in other states such as Michigan, Illinois, and Texas.
Given its German-Austrian roots, the Hummelberger surname is likely to continue to be common within the German-speaking world for some time to come. The spread of the name across the United States will depend to some extent on how the family members choose to keep the name alive—through immigration, naturalization, marriage, or simply by passing it down to their children.
Variations of the surname Hummelberger
The surname Hummelberger has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Hummelbaugh, Hummellberger, Hummelbauer, Hummellbauer, Homolberger, Homolbach, Homolbauer, Homolbarg and Hummelburger.
Hummelbaugh is derived from the Middle High German word “homolt”, which can be translated to mean “patience” or “perserverence”. This may refer to a family line of patience and perseverance, or a family which has survived hardships. The name is also related to the name Hummel, which is a diminutive of humerus and means “dwarf hill” or “little hill”. This indicates that the family may have been associated with a small hill.
Hummellberger is a variation on Hummelbauer, but with an additional “L” added to the name. The “L” was thought to denote someone from a family who were associated with people of higher social standing.
Homolberger, Homolbach, Homolbauer and Homolbarg are all variants based on the Middle High German word “homo(des)” which means “genuine” or “true”. These names may refer to families from the early days of Christian feudalism who were known for having an honest disposition.
Hummelburger is another variant of Hummelberger, but with an additional “R” added to the name. This variation of the name is believed to have descended from a group of families who settled in a specific area and has since become an established surname.
The surnames based on Hummelberger all share the common idea of perseverance, hardiness and resilience. They thus provide a valuable insight into the history and character of a family’s past.
Famous people with the name Hummelberger
- John Hummelberg, professional ice hockey player.
- Peter John Hummelberg, American politician and a former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from West Monroe, Louisiana.
- Dr. Paul H. Hummelberger, retired U.S. Air Force servicek Member and Medal of Honor recipient.
- Christian Hummelberger, German biathlete.
- Ed Hummelberger, American professional football player.
- Scott Hummelberger, former Major League Baseball middle infielder.
- Jeffrey Hummelberg, former American football linebacker in the National Football League.
- Frank Hummelberger, Czechoslovakian World War II fighter ace.
- Mathias Hummelberger, German Test Pilot and Aerospace Engineer.
- Steven Hummelberger, American professional racquetball player.