Surname Buerkert - Meaning and Origin
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Buerkert: What does the surname Buerkert mean?
The last name Buerkert is a German surname derived from the Middle High German words "burchard" and "hart," which mean "strong defender." It is likely the surname originated in what is now Germany as a patrlnymic name. As a patronymic name, it is a family name that is derived from the father's first name. Over time, as the surname was passed from generation to generation, the spelling likely changed, leading to a variety of spellings of this name, including Burkardt, Browkert, and even Birkert.
The Buerkert surname is a common one throughout Germany and throughout the world. It is quite common in many countries around the world, particularly in the United States, where it is the 89th most common surname. Among those with this surname, many are likely descended from German emigrants that left Germany in the 18th and 19th centuries to settle in other countries, such as the United States or Canada.
Those with the surname Buerkert have a long history of being strong defenders. The name suggests those who were brave and willing to fight for what they believed in. Today, those with this surname may or may not be direct descendants of the original "strong defenders," but they still likely carry on the strength and courage of the name.
Order DNA origin analysisBuerkert: Where does the name Buerkert come from?
The last name Buerkert is most commonly seen in Germany today.
The Buerkert surname is thought to be of German origin, and dates back to the 15th century. It is derived from the Middle German word "burkhert," which means peasant or farmer's servant. It is most often found in the southern and western parts of the country.
In Germany today, there are roughly 1,400 people with the last name Buerkert. They’re clustered around cities such as Stuttgart, Mannheim, and Bremen. Additionally, some branches of the Buerkert family have spread to regions as far as Austria and Switzerland.
Overseas, there are smaller pockets of Buerkerts in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Many of these branches are descended from German immigrants who came to the New World during the 18th and 19th centuries. There are also a small number of Buerkerts in Brazil and Argentina, the result of post-WWII German immigration to South America.
Today, the Buerkerts are still a relatively small family, but one with worldwide reach. Whether in their hometowns in Germany, or the distant veins of their international family tree, the Buerkerts are living proof of the power of migration.
Variations of the surname Buerkert
The surname Buerkert is a Germanic name with variants spanning many languages and cultures. In German, the surname is spelled Bürkert or Bürckert, and can also be found in Dutch and Danish as Bürkers or Buerckers. Scandinavian variations of the name are Bürkert, ‘Bjurkert, Bjurker, ‘Burckert, Burkert, and Bührkert, while others exist in English, such as Berckert and Burkeat. There are also Latinized forms of the name, such as Borckert, Burckhardt, and Burkardt.
The English variations of the surname are commonly used for Anglicized versions of the original German spelling. Variants of Burckert and Burkert are also popular in the United States, where the surname has become associated with those of other Germanic groups.
The source of the surname Buerkert is unclear, however, it may come from the combination of two elements - ‘burc’ or ‘burg’ (meaning ‘fort’ or ‘castle’ in German) and ‘hard’ (meaning ‘strong’ or ‘rugged’). Alternatively, it could come from the Medieval personal name ‘Burchard’, which is derived from the Germanic element ‘beraht’ (meaning ‘bright’ or ‘shining’). This could indicate that the bearers of the Buerkert surname were known for their brightness, strength, resilience and fortitude.
Regardless of its origin, the surname Buerkert is firmly established in a number of different languages and cultures, with variants spanning multiple spellings and languages. It is evident that this surname has maintained its presence for centuries, data which suggests that many people have been proud to bear the name and to keep its form alive.
Famous people with the name Buerkert
- Shannon Buerkert: professional soccer player who played forward and goalkeeper for various teams in the National Women’s Soccer League.
- Niels Buerkert: German piano rhythm and blues musician who released the solo project “The Long Way Home” in 2014.
- Shirley Buekert-Smith: American Olympic fencer who won two medals in the 1960 Summer Olympics.
- Anita Buerkert-Stähle: German television presenter and journalist.
- Georg Buerkert: German fencer who competed in the 1920 Olympics.
- Anita Buerkert: German television presenter and news anchor for the ZDF news program “HEUTE”.
- Sofia Buerkert: German actress, model, and voice actress.
- Gisela Buerkert-Vitae: Swiss Olympic diver who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics.
- Käthe Buerkert-Buy: German fashion designer and businesswoman.
- Dirk Buerkert: German sculptor and painter.