Show ContentsHennig History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancient and distinguished German surname Hennig is derived from "Henneke," a diminutive of the enormously popular given name Johannes. The Low German suffix -ing indicates "son of"; thus, the progenitor of the name was likely the son of someone who was known as Henneke.

Early Origins of the Hennig family

The surname Hennig was first found in East Prussia, where the family came from humble beginnings but gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the emerging mediaeval society. It later became more prominent as numerous branches of the same house acquired distant estates, some of which were located in other countries. Through the acquisition of these estates as well as their important contributions to society, the family successfully elevated their social status. The name was first found in Courland were they were raised to be cavaliers in 1566.

Early History of the Hennig family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hennig research. Another 98 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1814 and 1862 are included under the topic Early Hennig History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hennig Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Hennin, Henning, Hennig (Silesia), Henegar, Henninger, Henniger, Hienegar, Henigger, Henningsen and many more.

Early Notables of the Hennig family

Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hennig Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hennig Ranking

In the United States, the name Hennig is the 10,220th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1


Hennig migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hennig Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Paul Hennig, who arrived in New York, NY in 1750 2
  • Johann Balthasar Hennig and his wife Anna Elisabetha Blum, who settled in Philadelphia with their three daughters in 1751
  • Hieronimus Hennig, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1759 2
Hennig Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Johann Hennig, who arrived in America in 1843 2
  • Richard Hennig, who arrived in Texas in 1850-1906 2
  • August Hennig, who was naturalized in Milwaukee in 1856
  • August Hennig, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1861 2
  • Ludwig Hennig, who was naturalized in Illinois in 1876
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hennig migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Hennig Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Carl Frederich August Hennig, aged 40, a carpenter, who arrived in South Australia in 1848 aboard the ship "Alfred" 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Hennig (post 1700) +

  • Shelley Catherine Hennig (b. 1987), American actress and model, Miss Teen USA in 2004
  • Mark A. Hennig (b. 1965), American Thoroughbred horse racing trainer with over 1,366 career wins
  • Amy Hennig (b. 1964), American video game director and script writer
  • Larry Hennig (1936-2018), American professional wrestler, father of Curt "Mr. Perfect" Hennig
  • Curt Hennig (1958-2003), American professional wrestler commonly known as "Mr. Perfect"
  • Edward Hennig (1879-1960), American gymnast and Olympic gold medalist
  • Emil Hans Willi Hennig, German biologist who is considered the founder of phylogenetic systematics
  • Gerd Hennig (b. 1935), former German soccer referee
  • Carsten Hennig (b. 1976), German football player
  • Shelley Hennig (b. 1987), Miss Teen USA 2004, and actress from Days of our Lives

Bismarck
  • Harry Hennig (1921-1941), German Matrose II who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 4


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  3. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ALFRED 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Alfred.htm
  4. Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details


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