Hefner History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Hefner surname comes from the Middle High German words "hafner," or "hafen," meaning "pot," or "dish." As such, Hefner was originally an occupational name for a potter.
Early Origins of the Hefner family
The surname Hefner was first found in Austria and southern Bavaria, where the family made a considerable contribution to the feudal society which became the backbone of early modern Europe. The family became prominent in local affairs and branched into many houses. These played important roles in local political conflicts, in which each group sought power and status in an ever changing territorial profile. Chronicles first mention Hugo Hafinare of Constance in the year 1158, Uli Hafner (Haefeli) of the Aargau region in 1490, and Hueglin Haffner of Kirchheim in 1406. Chronicles also mention an ancient branch of the family whose members were knights of the Kingdom of Styria from 1310 to 1478.
Early History of the Hefner family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hefner research. Another 231 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1629, 1630, 1631, 1640, 1702, 1735, 1741, 1759, 1764, 1776, 1782, 1833 and 1861 are included under the topic Early Hefner History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Hefner Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: Haffner, Hafner, Haafner, Hafener, Haffener, Haeffner, Heffner, Haefner, Hefner, Haefeli (Swiss) and many more.
Early Notables of the Hefner family
During this period prominent bearers of the name Hefner were
- Otto Titan von Hefner, the son of Georg von Hefner, became famous as an authority on heraldry and related studies...
Hefner Ranking
In the United States, the name Hefner is the 3,649th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 1
Hefner migration to the United States +
Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
Hefner Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
- Wolfgang Hefner, who landed in Philadelphia in 1752
Contemporary Notables of the name Hefner (post 1700) +
- Hugh Marston Hefner (1926-2017), American publisher and gaming promoter, best known as the founder of Playboy enterprises, a direct descendant of Mayflower passenger and Plymouth Colony governor William Bradford
- Keith Hefner (1929-2016), American actor, composer and author, brother of Hugh Hefner
- James A. Hefner (1941-2015), American educator, President of Tennessee State University from 1991 to 2005
- Willie Gathrel "Bill" Hefner (b. 1930), American politician, U.S. Congressman from North Carolina (1975-1999)
- Willie Gathrel Hefner (1930-2009), American Democratic Party politician, U.S. Representative from North Carolina 8th District, 1975-99; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from North Carolina, 1996 2
- William K. Hefner, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Massachusetts 1st District, 1962 2
- Theodore G. Hefner, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Denver, Colorado, 1956-62 (acting, 1956-57) 2
- Robert Alexander Hefner (b. 1874), American Democratic Party politician, Justice of Oklahoma State Supreme Court, 1927-36 2
- Robert A. Hefner, American politician, Mayor of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 1939-47 2
- John R. Hefner, American politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Illinois 19th District, 1920, 1922, 1924 2
- ... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Citations +