Surname Bonhard - Meaning and Origin
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Bonhard: What does the surname Bonhard mean?
The last name Bonhard is of French origin and is derived from the word “bon” which means “good” and “hard” which suggests an individual of strength and boldness. In French, “Bonhard” literally translates to “good heart” or “strong heart.” Bonhard can also be traced back to the English origins where it may have been derived from the Old English word “hamhara” or “hama hara” which means “strong man.”
Bonhard is a surname associated with a strong, healthy heart, hinting at the characteristics of those that carried the name, and may be indicative of traits or values of family members. Historically, it could reflect more general traits associated with bravery, courage, and strength. In a modern context, a person with the last name Bonhard is likely to stand up for what they believe in, and defend their values despite the odds against them. They have a willingness to see potential in all areas of their life and the courage to pursue those goals.
In the past, those who were known as the Bonhard were family-oriented and always put the needs of others before their own. They are often ambitious, kind, caring, and loyal people who stand by their principles. The Bonhard have a strong convictions while living with integrity and dignity, they remain humble and self-reliant. People of this name often have a strong sense of service to their community and display a selfless commitment to any task they take on.
Order DNA origin analysisBonhard: Where does the name Bonhard come from?
The last name Bonhard is a surname which is predominantly found in eastern and northern parts of Germany, as well as parts of Poland. It is thought to be a Germanic name which has its roots in the Middle Ages, and the spelling of the surname has changed over time.
The last name is most common in the German regions of East and West Prussia, Silesia, Pomerania, Holstein, and Schleswig-Holstein. Many people of the Bonhard name also live in the southwestern part of Poland, which borders Germany.
The name can also be found in other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, due to migration from German-speaking countries. Currently, the most popular states in the United States for people of the Bonhard name include Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Ohio and California.
In Germany, the last name Bonhard has been in use since at least the 15th century, and it is estimated there are over 15,800 people bearing this name in the country today.
Variations of the surname Bonhard
The surname Bonhard has several variants, spellings, and surnames sharing the same origin. Bonard, Bondard, Bonhard, and Bonnaurd are the more common variants while the more obscure variants include Bonnard, Bannard, Boenard, and Bunnard.
Bonhard is believed to be derived from a nickname referring to an individual's behavior or personality. It could have also been derived from the Old French term “bonhard” which means "good courage". The Germans also had their own derivation of this surname, Buhhard, which was derived from the old German "buhard", which has the similar meaning of "desire to thrive, to prosper".
The surname Bonhard is present in many countries throughout the world, with France, Belgium, and the United States having the highest concentrations. Bonhard was also common in England during the 11th century.
The Bonhard surname is also found to be present in other countries in Europe including Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and even in non-European countries such as Canada, Colombia, and Peru.
In addition to the variants of Bonhard, these other surnames also have the same origin: Bonnaud, Bonnard, Bannard, Boenard, and Bunnard. However, they are less commonly found. In some cases, the variants of Bonhard have been reduced to a single spelling, such as Bannard or Bunnard. It is also possible that some of these variants may have been derived from other languages unique to each particular region, such as French, German, and Dutch.
Famous people with the name Bonhard
- David Bonhard: British artist and Royal Academician.
- Christian Bonhard: German composer and cellist.
- Jean-Baptiste Bonhard: Canadian Hereditary Chief of La Nation Waban-Aki.
- John Bonhard: Author of 'The Art of Buying and Selling at Auction'.
- Kevin Bonhard: American professional baseball player.
- Karl Bonhard: German painter, printmaker, and costume designer.
- Jean-Louis Bonhard: French diplomat, Inspector-General of Monuments of Rome.
- Robert Bonhard: Winner of the American Paint Horse Association Pleasure Futurity.
- František Bonhard: Czech philosopher and academic.
- Georgette Bonhard: French author and editor of Andreyev's Diaries.