nationality

Question:I was adopted and my birthfather THINKS he has the last name of HIS biological father. He can tell me that this man was mostly of Mexican and Native American Indian descent. His last name was something along the line of Herhendinzen (this is how it is pronounced, but not necessarily how it's spelled). I know this is a very hard question, but I am just looking for leads to try and trace our family tree. To me, the first two syllables sound Hispanic, but the last two sound more Western European... I honestly don't know.
Please tell me if you think this is the correct spelling or what you think it should be, and what you think the nationality of this man by this last name would be. Thanks for the tips!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I was adopted and my birthfather THINKS he has the last name of HIS biological father. He can tell me that this man was mostly of Mexican and Native American Indian descent. His last name was something along the line of Herhendinzen (this is how it is pronounced, but not necessarily how it's spelled). I know this is a very hard question, but I am just looking for leads to try and trace our family tree. To me, the first two syllables sound Hispanic, but the last two sound more Western European... I honestly don't know.
Please tell me if you think this is the correct spelling or what you think it should be, and what you think the nationality of this man by this last name would be. Thanks for the tips!

If that's how it's pronounced, then it's not a Spanish name from Mexico...it's an indigenous name from Mexico. I'm no expert at it, but I can suggest you contact a Mexican-American cultural center in your area and ask them for help. When you get down around Mexico City, those are very common dipthongs. But also when you get into the indigenous groups down around Mexico City, it gets to be a hard group to trace. You're going to need help from someone who both knows the area and the dialects.

That's a tough one! I can't find anything on that name.

One thing to keep in mind, though -- Herr = Mister (more or less) in German, so perhaps it is really Herr Hendinzen?

Just a thought....