Yes, Hitler wrote about his name change in Mein Kampf. It wasn't a big secret, it just wasn't reported in most history books. His original last name was Schickelgruber, but a childhood friend convinced him to change it to Heidler, which may have been his father's last name. Adolf himself said in Mein Kampf that he thought Hitler sounded better than Heidler, and definitely better than Schickelgruber because it had a more firm, strong sound to it when said out loud. I don't have the exact quote in front of me, but he said something like "I had to change my name if I was ever to rule Germany because, after all, how convincing does 'heil Heidler' sound? Better yet, 'heil Schickelgruber' would never have been effective at parades and speeches. It would have had the opposite effect and made me a laughing stock." You have to admit, Hitler does have a nicer ring to it than Heidler or Schickelgruber.
Yes, Hitler wrote about his name change in Mein Kampf. It wasn't a big secret, it just wasn't reported in most history books. His original last name was Schickelgruber, but a childhood friend convinced him to change it to Heidler, which may have been his father's last name. Adolf himself said in Mein Kampf that he thought Hitler sounded better than Heidler, and definitely better than Schickelgruber because it had a more firm, strong sound to it when said out loud. I don't have the exact quote in front of me, but he said something like "I had to change my name if I was ever to rule Germany because, after all, how convincing does 'heil Heidler' sound? Better yet, 'heil Schickelgruber' would never have been effective at parades and speeches. It would have had the opposite effect and made me a laughing stock." You have to admit, Hitler does have a nicer ring to it than Heidler or Schickelgruber.