Surname Birkert - Meaning and Origin
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Birkert: What does the surname Birkert mean?
The last name Birkert is of Germanic origins and is thought to be derived from the Old High German word “birca” meaning “birch”. This name is typically classed as a topographic surname, which is a surname typically given to a person who lived near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, or forest.
In the case of the surname Birkert, the surname would indicate the family lived near a large expanse of birch trees. The Birch tree and its wood have had many uses throughout the centuries, with its hard timber used for furniture making, flooring and even boats while its sap was harvested to make a sweet and sticky syrup. In many ways. Birch trees became a source of abundance in the regions of Europe from which the Birkerts came.
In terms of the family biography, the name would have arisen sometime in medieval times, likely associated with migration of various Germanic groups into northern and central regions of Europe. Many of these families eventually settled in various German speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Others may have also settled in surrounding countries such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland.
Since the 20th century, however, the Birkert name has spread to many English speaking countries such as Australia, Canada, and the United States. In each of these countries, the Birkert’s have made a name for their families in their professions, ranging from doctors, lawyers, and entrepreneurs, to photographers and engineers. No matter what country or culture they inhabit, the Birkert family remains one that is deeply connected to the past and its German roots.
Order DNA origin analysisBirkert: Where does the name Birkert come from?
The last name Birkert is most commonly found in Germany today. This name may be derived from the old Germanic word "birka," meaning "berry." It is likely that the earliest bearers of this surname were those who lived near berry bushes or who regularly made use of the fruit.
Since its origin in the Middle Ages, the Birkert surname has spread across Germany and even to other parts of Europe. It is particularly common in the south of Germany, particularly in Nuremberg. The name is also found in the neighbouring countries of Austria, Poland, and the Czech Republic. Outside of Europe, this surname can be found in the United States among immigrants who came from German speaking countries in the 19th and 20th centuries.
In modern times, Birkert is a relatively rare surname. According to the German telephone directory for 2017, there were only 1529 people living in Germany with this name. This puts the Birkert name into the least 100 common surnames in the country. However, due to its simple and classic Germanic sound, it is likely to remain in circulation for some time.
Variations of the surname Birkert
The surname Birkert has multiple variants and spellings, with the most common ones being Birkert, Birkhardt, Berkhart, Berkhoff, Berckert, and Burkert.
The surname Birkert is believed to be derived from two different sources - the German base berge meaning hill or mountain, and the personal name of Kert which is derived from the ancient Germanic word meaning "brave".
The earliest known usage of the surname can be found in Germany, in the 14th century. From there, the surname spread to neighboring countries, mainly the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden.
Variant spellings of the surname include Berkert, Berchen, Bergan, Bercke, and Berckel. In some cases, the surname has become corrupted over the centuries to form its own variant spellings. For example, Burkert, Berckhoff, and Berkhart are believed to be variants of the surname.
Surnames that are related to the Birkert surname are quite common in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and the United States. Examples include: Burkhart, Berger, Bergen, Berk, Berkovich, Birke, and Berkies. Other variants of the same origin are Burkholder, Berkey, Berg, Birkland, and Berkemeyer.
To conclude, the surname Birkert is quite common and has many variants and spellings. Variants of the same origin are quite common in multiple countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and the United States.
Famous people with the name Birkert
- Carsten Birkert: German footballer
- David Birkert: American professional basketball player
- Elisabeth Birkert: Austrian actress
- Friedrich August Birkert: German theologian
- Fritz Birkert: German actor
- Henning Birkert: German cyclist
- Ingeborg Birkert-Ritter: East German high jumper
- Johannes Birkert: Austrian police officer
- Joseph Julius Birkert: German politician
- Karl Ferdinand Birkert: German painter