Surname Hollinger - Meaning and Origin
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Hollinger: What does the surname Hollinger mean?
The surname Hollinger is of German origin and is believed to be a topographic or occupational name. The term "Hollinger" is derived from the Middle High German word "holinger," which means "tenant of a gouge". This would indicate that the first individuals to adopt this surname likely lived in or near a depression or groove in the landscape, or they might have been workers in the extraction industry, such as coal or iron miners. Like many other surnames, over time, it was passed down through generations and spread geographically as families moved. It is important to note that surnames often evolved based on regions, dialects, and language shifts; therefore, the exact meanings and origins may be somewhat different.
Order DNA origin analysisHollinger: Where does the name Hollinger come from?
Hollinger is a surname with Germanic origins. It originates from the Middle High German word "holinger", implying individuals hailing from the settlement of Hollingen. The word breaks down into two parts: 'Holz' meaning forest and 'ingen' a term signifying 'belonging to'. Therefore, Hollinger might denote someone who belongs to or lives near the forest. This surname has different variations like Holliger, Holling, and Holliger based on geographical regions and dialects.
Today, Hollinger is a common surname in both the United States and Germany. According to surname distribution statistics, it's most prevalent in the United States, followed by Germany. In the US, the highest concentration of Hollingers is found in Pennsylvania, a state with a notable German American population due to historical immigration patterns. This name can also be found, albeit less commonly, in other English-speaking countries like Canada and Australia. Despite its Germanic roots, the surname is no longer widespread in Germany but remains common in certain parts, such as the North Rhine-Westphalia region.
Variations of the surname Hollinger
The Hollinger surname has mainly German, Dutch and Swiss/German origins. This name, which initially originated from a personal name in the Middle Ages, has seen variations over time due to the influence of different languages and regions. Some variants may include Holligar, Hollinga or Hollingen, predominantly found in the Netherlands and North Germany. Öhlinger, one slightly different version, mainly comes from South German/Austrian areas.
In the past, names were not consistently spelt due to a general lack of standardization of language. Therefore, variations in the spelling of Hollinger surname from the language of the country of origin include Hollingir, Holinger, Hohlinger, Hallinger, Holenger, Hollonger, and Hällinger. Hohlinger and Hallinger are typical South German/Austrian versions.
As migration to English-speaking countries occurred, the surname adopted English phonetics and spelling conventions, with versions like Hollingor, Hollengar, and Hollingar appearing.
In regards to related surnames, those that end in -ger are common in the German-speaking world, signifying a person or thing of a certain type. In this vein, surnames like Hollinder and Hollender may share the same origins as Hollinger.
Please note that variations can occur due to many factors, and two individuals with differently spelt surnames may not necessarily share the same lineage.
Famous people with the name Hollinger
- Dan Hollinger: Emmy Award-winning film and television editor whose credits include Working Girl, Die Hard 2, True Lies, and Sleepless in Seattle.
- Erika Hollinger: American beauty and fashion influencer whose content has reached millions of viewers.
- Dave Hollinger: Canadian actor, host, and producer best known for roles in EDtv, Due South, and Republic of Doyle.
- Max Hollinger: Former president of the National Amateur Athletic Union who also served as the representative of the US Olympic Games in the 1950s and 1960s.
- Lisa Hollinger: A nursing professor at the University of South Carolina known for researching better communications between nurses and patients.
- Matt Hollinger: International business executive and entrepreneur who served as the CEO of Serent Capital and co-founder of Matrix Partners.
- Bruce Hollinger: Award-winning principal percussionist with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
- Grant Hollinger: Attorney and partner at Liskow & Lewis in Houston, TX, specializing in energy, oil, and gas law.
- Chris Hollinger: Construction executive and innovator who has worked on major projects around the world.
- Jonathan Hollinger: Professional photographer and esports specialist whose work been featured by the likes of ESPN, GQ, and Sports Illustrated.