Surname Bonhardt - Meaning and Origin

Bonhardt: What does the surname Bonhardt mean?

The last name Bonhardt is of German origin and is believed to come from the Middle High German "bonhêrt", which was an occupational name for a person who was a clog (shoe) maker. The term "bonhêrt" is a combination of the words "bon" meaning "doing something well" and "hêrt" meaning "to work". It is also thought that the name might have been derived from an Old German personal name "Herno" which meant "eagle".

The name Bonhardt is often associated with the city of Prague in what is now Czech Republic. Historically, this city was part of the German-speaking region known as Bohemia and many of its citizens had surnames similar to Bonhardt in origin. The surname is also widespread throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia. Today, it is found in more than 200 countries around the world.

Those who have the last name Bonhardt tend to have a strong work ethic and respect for the rich cultural heritage of their ancestors. They are often creative and committed to excellence in their chosen fields of endeavor, often combining new ideas with traditional values. Bonhardts are highly successful and often have a zest for life and a easy going attitude.

Overall, the surname Bonhardt represents a strong historic and cultural legacy that has been passed down through the generations, heralding a people who are tenacious, creative, and hard working.

Bonhardt: Where does the name Bonhardt come from?

The last name Bonhardt is most commonly found in Germany today. This is not surprising given that the name originated in Germany. It is believed that the name is derived from the Middle High German word "bonen", meaning "to build". This might indicate that the original holders of the name were builders or stonemasons moving and settling in different German cities and towns, which is why there are many diverse Bonhardt families living in different regions of the country.

It is also found among other European countries, predominantly in Austria, Luxemburg, Czech Republic and Hungary. Worldwide, people with this name may also be found in Australia, United States, Canada and Mexico.

The name is scattered throughout all federal states of Germany, with concentration in the South of the country in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Hesse. There is also a fairly substantial size population in Berlin and in the greater North area.

In addition to a wide geographical distribution, the surname has variant spellings, such as Benhardt and Venhardt. However, they all carry the same origin and meaning.

Variations of the surname Bonhardt

Bonhardt is a surname that originated from Germany and is derived from the Bavarian language. It is said to have descended from Bahnhardt, which translates to "strong bear." Variations of the Bonhardt surname include Bonhard, Bonhart, Bonard and Bonart.

Variants of Bonhardt have occurred in the various dialects spoken by immigrants across the world. Even the earliest spellings of the surname can have slight variations, including Bonhard, Bonhart, and Bonard. In some cases, accents, such as the German umlaut, can be found (Bönhardt).

Many variations of Bonhardt have now come to mean something completely different from its original meaning, such as Bono, Bonnier, Bonadeo and Bonal.

Surnames that are thought to be of the same origin as Bonhardt include Böhnhard, Bönhard, Böhnhardt, Bönhart, Böhnart, Bönard, Böhnel and Buhnl.

Spellings such as Bunhardt, Bonhand, Bonharr, Boner, Bonar and Bonomo are also believed to be variations of the Bonhardt surname. However these variants are usually considered to be completely separate surnames.

Other surnames that have been found to be of the same origin as Bonhardt include Böhning, Beebe, Buzzell, Bunce, Blomfeld, Bommele, Burckhardt and Baumann.

In closing, Bonhardt is a surname that is derived from the Bavarian language and has been found to have many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Bonhardt

• Hayley Bonhardt: American professional volleyball player who plays for Allianz MTV Stuttgart in the German League and the United States women's national team.
• Ryan Bonhardt: American professional football player who played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League from 1995 to 2004.
• David Bonhardt: American ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for the St. Louis Blues from 1983 to 1991.
• Joseph Bonhardt: German actor, best known for his leading role in the television drama series Unter Uns.
• Jeff Bonhardt: American professional basketball player who played for the Detroit Pistons in the National Basketball Association from 1988 to 1996.
• Samuele Bonhardt: Italian Olympic swimmer who competed for Italy in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
• William Bonhardt: British actor and voice-over artist best known for his roles in the BBC television series Sherlock, Downton Abbey and Doctor Who.
• Carlotta Bonhardt: German actress active in the early twentieth century.
• Richard Bonhardt: German-American military veteran and author, best known for his book series “The Virgin Wars.”
• Louis Bonhardt: American physicist and professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, best known for his work in optical instrumentation and surface physics.

Other surnames

Bonhard