Alois Riehl

Alois Hitler was the father of Adolf Hitler. Born out of wedlock to Maria Schicklgruber, Alois initially bore his mother's surname. He was raised within the family of Johann Georg Hiedler, who later married Maria Schicklgruber. In 1876, Alois was officially legitimized, and Johann Georg Hiedler was registered as his father, leading to Alois adopting the surname 'Hitler'.

Alois Hitler worked as a civil servant in customs administration, a career he wished his son Adolf to follow. There are historical discussions and debunked theories regarding Alois's parentage, including claims of a Jewish father, which have been refuted by historical records and DNA analysis. Alois's life was marked by his work, his family life, and his complex relationship with his son, Adolf.

Alois Hitler's origins are notable for his illegitimacy. His mother, Maria Schicklgruber, did not name a father on his baptismal record, leading Alois to carry his mother's surname. He was subsequently raised by Johann Georg Hiedler, who married Maria Schicklgruber. The pivotal moment in Alois's life regarding his name occurred in 1876 when he was legitimized, and Johann Georg Hiedler was officially recognized as his father. Following this, Alois adopted the surname 'Hitler', a name that may have derived from the German word for 'hut'.

Alois Hitler pursued a career as a civil servant within the customs administration, a path he envisioned for his son Adolf. He worked in this capacity from 1855 until his retirement in 1895. His personal life included multiple marriages, and he was the father of Adolf Hitler. The relationship between Alois and his son Adolf was often strained, characterized by conflict and differing aspirations, particularly concerning Adolf's artistic ambitions versus Alois's desire for him to enter the civil service.

The ancestry of Alois Hitler has been a subject of historical speculation, including a discredited theory proposed by Hans Frank suggesting a Jewish paternal ancestor, Leopold Frankenberger. However, historical research and modern DNA analysis have refuted these claims. DNA testing conducted on Adolf Hitler's blood in 2025, compared with that of a male-line relative, confirmed Adolf Hitler's paternal lineage and explicitly disproved the notion of Jewish ancestry through his father.