German Last Names Beginning with H: A Comprehensive List

Are you looking for a German last name that starts with the letter H? Whether you're researching your genealogy, writing a character for a story, or simply curious about the origins of these surnames, this list provides an extensive collection of German last names beginning with H, along with their detailed meanings. Explore the rich history and diverse origins of these names, from occupational titles to place names and descriptive terms.
1. **Haas:** meaning "hare" or "rabbit." This name was often given to people who lived near hare populations or worked with them.
2. **Hagen:** meaning "hedge," "enclosure," or "grove." It could have originated from someone living near a hedge or grove, or from a place name.
3. **Hahn:** meaning "cock" or "rooster," this name likely originated from someone who raised or sold chickens.
4. **Haller:** meaning "dweller by the hill," "dweller by the mountain," or "dweller by the rock." This name points to someone who lived near a hill or mountain.
5. **Hamm:** meaning "home" or "enclosure." It likely originated from someone who lived in a particular enclosure or homestead.
6. **Hammer:** meaning "hammer," this name was likely given to someone who was a blacksmith or someone who worked with hammers.
7. **Hand:** meaning "hand," this name was likely given to someone who was skilled with their hands or worked with their hands.
8. **Hanel:** meaning "Hanno's descendant," "Hanno's son," or "Hanno's heir." This name indicates a descendant of someone named Hanno.
9. **Hansen:** meaning "Hans's son," this name is a patronymic indicating a descendant of someone named Hans.
10. **Hartmann:** meaning "strong man," this name refers to someone who was known for their physical strength.
11. **Hartung:** meaning "strong" or "brave," this name likely refers to someone who was known for their strength and courage.
12. **Harz:** meaning "mountain," this name likely originated from someone who lived near the Harz Mountains in Germany.
13. **Hauck:** meaning "hawk," this name was likely given to someone who was known for their hunting skills or who lived near a hawk population.
14. **Haufe:** meaning "heap" or "pile," this name likely originated from someone who worked with piles of materials or who lived near a heap of something.
15. **Hauser:** meaning "house owner," "homeowner," or "one who lives in a house," this name points to someone who owned or lived in a house.
16. **Hecht:** meaning "pike" or "fish," this name likely originated from someone who lived near a river with pike or who worked with fish.
17. **Heiden:** meaning "pagan," this name likely originated from someone who was a pagan or who lived in a pagan area.
18. **Heinrich:** meaning "ruler of the home" or "home ruler," this name is a German form of the name Henry.
19. **Hellwig:** meaning "holy war," this name likely originated from someone who participated in a holy war or who was a devout Christian.
20. **Hempel:** meaning "hemp," this name likely originated from someone who worked with hemp or who lived near a hemp field.
21. **Henning:** meaning "home ruler," this name is another form of the name Henry.
22. **Herbst:** meaning "autumn," this name likely originated from someone who was born in the autumn or who worked with crops harvested in the autumn.
23. **Hermann:** meaning "army man" or "soldier," this name likely originated from someone who was a soldier or who was involved in the military.
24. **Herrmann:** meaning "army man" or "soldier," this name is another form of the name Hermann.
25. **Herz:** meaning "heart," this name likely originated from someone who was kind-hearted or who was known for their compassion.
26. **Hesse:** meaning "person from Hesse," this name is a place name indicating someone who originated from the state of Hesse in Germany.
27. **Heuer:** meaning "tenant farmer," "tenant," or "renter," this name likely originated from someone who rented a farm or property.
28. **Hey:** meaning "hay," this name likely originated from someone who worked with hay or who lived near a hay field.
29. **Hildebrand:** meaning "battle-brand" or "warrior's sword," this name indicates a warrior or someone who was involved in battle.
30. **Hinrich:** meaning "ruler of the home," this name is another form of the name Henry.
31. **Hofer:** meaning "dweller by the courtyard," "dweller by the farm," or "dweller by the homestead," this name indicates someone who lived near a courtyard or homestead.
32. **Hofmann:** meaning "court official," "court servant," "court steward," or "court farmer," this name likely originated from someone who worked for a court or manor.
33. **Holm:** meaning "island," "small island," or "peninsula," this name likely originated from someone who lived on a small island or peninsula.
34. **Holz:** meaning "wood," "timber," or "forest," this name likely originated from someone who worked with wood or who lived near a forest.
35. **Horch:** meaning "listen" or "hear," this name likely originated from someone who was known for their good hearing or who was a listener.
36. **Horst:** meaning "nest," "tree," or "wood," this name likely originated from someone who lived near a nest or tree, or who lived in a wooded area.
37. **Huber:** meaning "farmer," "dweller by the farm," or "one who works with the land," this name likely originated from someone who farmed the land.
38. **Hübner:** meaning "farmer," "dweller by the farm," or "one who works with the land," this name is another form of Huber.
39. **Hufnagel:** meaning "hoof nail," this name likely originated from someone who worked with horses, especially with their hooves.
40. **Huth:** meaning "hat," this name likely originated from someone who made hats or who was known for wearing a particular type of hat.