NomOrigine Background

Last Name Hohn

What is the origin of the last name Hohn?

The surname "Hohn" is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "hohen," which means "tall" or "high." This surname likely originally referred to someone who was tall in stature or lived in a high or elevated location. It is a relatively rare surname in Germany and may have originated as a descriptive nickname for individuals with this characteristic.

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

Learn more about the origin of the last name Hohn

The meaning and origin of the last name Hohn

The surname Hohn is of German origin, derived from the name Johannes, which means "God is gracious." It is a patronymic surname, meaning it was originally based on the first name of the father of the original bearer. The name Johannes is a popular given name in Germany, and over time, variations such as Han, Hans, and Hahn have evolved into surnames like Hohn. The surname Hohn is relatively uncommon, but can still be found in Germany and among German descendants around the world. Like many surnames, Hohn may have multiple origins and meanings depending on the specific family line, but it generally signifies a connection to the given name Johannes and carries connotations of gracefulness and divine blessings.

Geographical distribution of the last name Hohn

The last name Hohn is primarily found in the United States, with the highest concentrations in the states of California, Texas, and Illinois. There are also significant numbers of individuals with the surname Hohn in Germany, particularly in the regions of Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia. In addition, smaller populations of individuals with the last name Hohn can be found in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The origins of the surname Hohn are believed to be German, derived from the Middle High German word "hohn," meaning "scorn" or "derision." As a result, it is likely that individuals with the last name Hohn can trace their ancestry back to Germany or have German heritage. Overall, the geographical distribution of the last name Hohn suggests a strong presence in both the United States and Germany, with smaller pockets of individuals spread throughout other English-speaking countries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Hohn

Variations and spellings of the last name Hohn include Hoen, Hoehn, Hoeing, Huhn, Hohnn, Hohnen, Hon, Honen, and Hoon. These variations may be due to regional accents, dialect differences, or simply variations in how the name was written down over time. The surname Hohn is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "hohen," meaning "to feel proud or haughty." The name was likely given to someone with a proud or noble demeanor. With each variation and spelling, the name Hohn continues to carry its German roots and historical significance, showcasing the diversity and evolution of surnames over generations.

Famous people with the last name Hohn

There are not many famous people with the last name Hohn, but one notable figure is Peter Hohn, a German politician and member of the Social Democratic Party. He served as a member of the Bundestag, the lower house of the German parliament, from 1976 to 1998. During his time in office, Hohn focused on issues such as education, environmental protection, and social welfare. Another well-known figure with the last name Hohn is Dr. Jordan Hohn, an American economist and professor at a leading university. Dr. Hohn is recognized for his contributions to the field of economic research, particularly in the areas of labor economics and income inequality. Both Peter Hohn and Dr. Jordan Hohn have made significant impacts in their respective fields and continue to be remembered for their accomplishments.

Genealogical research on the last name Hohn

The last name Hohn is of German origin, derived from the personal name Johannes, which means "God is gracious." The Hohn surname may have originated as a nickname for someone who was known for their piety or as a given name for a child born on the feast day of St. John. The name Hohn has been found in various regions of Germany, including Hesse, Thuringia, and Bavaria. It is likely that the Hohn family has deep roots in the Germanic tribes that populated the region in ancient times. Over the years, the Hohn name may have undergone various spelling changes and adaptations as families migrated and settled in different areas. Today, individuals with the surname Hohn can be found in Germany as well as in other parts of the world due to emigration and globalization.

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 April 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Hoha (Last name)

surnames > hoha

The last name "Hoha" is a surname of Arabic origin. It is believed to derive from the Arabic word "Hawwa," which means "Eve" or "life" in Arabic. This surname may have originated f...

Hohti (Last name)

surnames > hohti

The surname "Hohti" is of Finnish origin. It is derived from the Finnish word "hohto," meaning "gleam" or "radiance." This last name is likely to have originated from a person's oc...

Hohua (Last name)

surnames > hohua

The last name "Hohua" originated in New Zealand. It is a Maori name meaning "to bathe in warmth."