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Shining in Battle

The word "Hillebrecht" has no meaning anymore in modern German. Other than names like "Müller (Miller)" or "Schmidt (Smith)" there is no profession or trade named "Hillebrecht" after which early carriers of the name called themselves.

There is no place, village or town known after which the Hillebrechts were called. Although there are places like "Hilprechtshausen" or "Hilbertshausen", we can assume that these places were named after the persons and not the other way around. The name Hillebrecht existed before, at least in its variations Hilbrecht, Hilprecht, Hiltprecht, Hildebrecht, Hildebert, Hildeberht and Hilbert.

There are two parts in the name Hillebrecht: hille and brecht

hille = hiltja, hild or hilde means "battle" in the language of our Germanic ancestors. Today we can still find it in the English word "hilt" meaning the handle of a sword, dagger or tool. The English language with its West Germanic origin is very helpful here, as the Angles and Saxons migrated about the middle of the fifth century from the present Northern Germany to the British Isles.

brecht = beraht means "bright, shining, gleaming". In modern German it can no longer be found. However, in English the word "bright" is still very much in use.

Therefore, the name "Hillebrecht" refers to a person who "shines in battle". Lets assume that no belligerent person was meant but one who fought bravely and fair.

There is no reason for special pride in the meaning of the name, especially if one considers that the first name carrier "Hillebrecht" is but one of thousands of our ancestors, and only with this tiny share has contributed to our genetic profile. Perhaps a father or mother gave his or her newly born son the name following the motto: nomen est omen. This idea of wishful thinking is very appealing!

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Hildibert in 796 and Hiltbrecht in 1280 in Upper Germany

Volkmar Hellfritzsch: "Das große Buch der Familiennamen" (Comprehensive Book of Surnames), issued by Horst Naumann, mentions a Hildibert(us) for 796 /  818 and Hiltprecht for 1280. In Bahr: "Deutsches Namenlexikon" (German Name Encyclopedia), the name Hiltbrecht is mentioned for 1280 in Upper Germany. No closer reference to a place is made.

Early name carriers are known in the 14th and 15th century in and around Wernigerode (Eastern Harz Mountains): Hillebrecht/ Hillebracht/ Hilprecht, Hans is granted citizenship on 13.10.1581 in Wernigerode (Bürgersohn)
        born:    approx. 1555     Wernigerode
        deceased:  before 1608    Wernigerode
        In 1340 + 1458 the family is already mentioned in Wernigerode
(communication of: h.buelow@t-online.de?subject=Hillebrecht Internet)

According to "Karl Lechte, Geschichte der Stadt Hardegsen (History of the City of Hardegsen), 1968" Hillebrecht families belonged to the earliest citizens of Hardegsen. A taxation register of 1534 lists a Hans Hillebrecht. The Calenberg Mustering Roll of 1585 mentions a Marten Hillebregts, tailor.

One can assume that the name Hillebrecht (Hilbrecht, Hilprecht, Hiltprecht, Hildebrecht, Hildebert, Hildeberht and Hilbert) has been in use earlier. After all, its etymological roots are much older.

I appreciate hearing more about the meaning and the age of the name. An Email is welcome.