Hermann Hochegger

The provided text focuses exclusively on the intricate and often disputed family history of Adolf Hitler, exploring the origins of his surname and the identities of his paternal ancestors. It details the lineage tracing back to Stefan Hiedler and Agnes Capeller, through their grandson Martin Hiedler and his sons Lorenz, Johann Georg, and Johann Nepomuk. A significant portion of the text addresses the uncertainty surrounding the biological father of Alois Schicklgruber, Adolf Hitler's father. While Johann Georg Hiedler was legally recognized as Alois's father and stepfather, Johann Nepomuk Hiedler also played a crucial role in Alois's upbringing and eventual name change to Hitler. The text also touches upon the family's Austrian German ethnicity and the various spellings of the surname before it was officially adopted. It further outlines the marriages and children of Alois Hitler, including his second wife Franziska Matzelsberger and his third wife Klara Pölzl, who was also his niece once removed or half-niece, depending on the disputed paternity of Alois. The latter part of the text mentions Adolf Hitler's sister Paula and his nephew William, who later changed his surname to Stuart-Houston.

The surname Hitler, officially adopted by Alois Schicklgruber (Adolf Hitler's father) in 1877, has roots possibly linked to the name Hiedler. This variation may signify 'one who resides by a Hiedl,' a term for a subterranean fountain or river in Austro-Bavarian dialects, or alternatively, 'one who lives in a hut.' Before Alois's legal change, the family used several surname variants interchangeably, including Hiedler, Hüttler, Hytler, and Hittler. The family's ethnic background is identified as Austrian German.

The earliest known ancestors of the Hitler family include Stefan Hiedler (born 1672) and Agnes Capeller. Their grandson, Martin Hiedler, had sons Lorenz, Johann Georg, and Johann Nepomuk. Johann Georg Hiedler was the legal stepfather of Alois Schicklgruber, Adolf Hitler's father. However, the biological paternity of Alois is disputed. While Johann Georg was eventually declared Alois's father and thus Adolf Hitler's paternal grandfather, the claim was made decades after Johann Georg's death, arranged by Johann Nepomuk Hiedler. Johann Nepomuk, who informally adopted and raised Alois, is also considered a possible biological father. Other speculations, such as a Jewish man named Leopold Frankenberger, have been dismissed by historians due to lack of evidence.

Alois Hitler was married three times. His first wife, Anna Glasl-Hörer, was significantly older and ill. During this marriage, he had an affair with Franziska Matzelsberger, who later became his second wife. They had two children, Alois Jr. and Angela. After Franziska's death, Alois married Klara Pölzl, who had been hired as a servant. Klara was the granddaughter of Johann Nepomuk Hiedler, making her Alois's niece once removed or half-niece, depending on the paternity of Alois. Klara Pölzl became pregnant with Adolf Hitler while living with Alois and Franziska, and later married Alois after Franziska's death.

Adolf Hitler's sister, Paula, was the last family member to bear the Hitler surname on her tombstone, having died childless in 1960. As of 2023, only a few male descendants of the Hitler bloodline remain, none of whom have had children. This includes the sons of William Hitler, Adolf Hitler's nephew, who was estranged from his uncle. William Hitler publicly criticized his uncle and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He later changed his surname to Stuart-Houston, a name also adopted by his sons, none of whom have had offspring.