Surname Burghart - Meaning and Origin
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Burghart: What does the surname Burghart mean?
The last name Burghart has a unique and colourful history. Many scholars believe it is derived from the Old German surname ‘Bergahrt’, meaning ‘artisan’ or ‘builder’. This suggests that its original bearer belonged to a guild of skilled craftsmen dedicated to the construction of sturdy structures.
Over time, the name was further adapted and adopted throughout Europe in various stylized forms. In the United Kingdom, ‘Berghard’ emerged as the most popular version, while its French equivalent – ‘Bourgard’ – still remains in use today.
Although it is uncertain how the name made its way to America, its presence in the New World can be traced back to the early eighteenth century. One of the first known Burgharts on U.S. soil was Johann Phillip Burghart, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1733.
In addition to providing historical insight, the last name Burghart also serves to convey a rather charming image. It is a reminder that its bearer is of a family line of strong and dedicated artisans. As such, it stands as a testament to the hardworking, industrious nature of the Burghart people.
Order DNA origin analysisBurghart: Where does the name Burghart come from?
The last name Burghart is most common today in the United States, particularly in the Midwestern region. Various variations of the name, such as Burghardt, Burgardt, Burgard, Burgard and Burghard, have also been found in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin and Minnesota. The number of Americans with the last name Burghart seems to have grown considerably in the past couple of decades and is now estimated to be nearly 5,500.
In Germany, the last name Burghart (or Burghardt) is largely concentrated in the southwestern state of Baden-Württemberg. A significant number of people with this name can also be found in Bavaria and the autonomous region of Alsace-Lorraine in France, where it is likely that the name refers to German-speaking individuals who have had ancestral links with Germany. Outside of Europe, people with the surname Burghart have also been found in Mexico.
In addition, Australians with the last name Burghart have been located in the south-eastern part of the country, with some found in Victoria and New South Wales. Despite being comparatively rare, the surname is possibly becoming more widespread in certain parts of the world. This could be partially attributed to growing international interconnectivity and improved access to information resulting from the internet.
Variations of the surname Burghart
The surname Burghart is of German origin and is an occupational name for a person who lived in a fortified town, stronghold, or castle. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Burgard, Burgart, Bergert, Berghardt, Berghart, Bergdorff, Bergdorf, Burgert, and Burgerd.
The surname Burghart dates back to the medieval era when people were often named for their occupation or a distinguishing feature of their personal characteristics. The name was in reference to a person living in a fortified town, stronghold, castle or fortress, and was used by people who lived in the same vicinity. Many variations of the surname were derived from this same origin.
The most common spelling of Burghart is Bergert. It is found primarily in the German regions of Bavaria, Baden-Wuerttemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate. Bergert is the earliest recorded variant of the surname Burghart and was found as early as the 15th century. Other spellings Berger, Bürger, Burgman, Burkell, Burgford, Burgur, Burgfeld, Burkett, Burgmann, and Burgholz were also recorded from the 15th century in the same areas.
Several spelling variations of the surname Burghart also occur in Prussia due to the presence of numerous German immigrants. These spellings include Berghert, Bergheerd, Burgert, Bergherd, Bergford, Burgford, Bergfordt, Berghardt, Berghart, Bergdorf, Berghard, and Burghardt.
The surname Burghart is also found in Canada and the United States. In the United States, various spellings such as Berghert, Bergford, and Burghart are reported, while in Canada the names Burgard, Burgert, and Burgerd can be found.
Today, the surname Burghart is still found in several countries including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, France, Hungary, United States and Canada. In modern times, the common spellings of the surname Burghart include Bergert, Burgart and Burgerd.
Famous people with the name Burghart
- Steven Burghart: Steven Burghart is an American mathematician, computer scientist, and academic. He is a professor of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of California, Davis, and the Director of the UC Davis Institute for Data Analysis and Visualization.
- Abigail Burghart: Abigail Burghart is a Canadian volleyball player. She has competed in several international tournaments, most notably the London Olympics in 2012. She is currently playing professionally in Turkey.
- Karl Burghart: Karl Burghart was a German chess master and writer. He won several tournaments throughout Europe, including the 1912 German championship. He also wrote two books on the topic of chess.
- Graham Burghart: Graham Burghart is an American composer and music educator. He is the composer-in-residence at The Myra S. Hughes Oregon Music Program, and has composed music for orchestras, ballets, chamber music ensembles, and solo instruments.
- Alfred Burghart: Alfred Burghart was a German botanist and entomologist. He worked extensively in the field of taxonomy, and was responsible for the discovery of two plant species and two species of insects.
- Calvin Burghart: Calvin Burghart is an American actor. He has appeared in television series such as The Office, Arrested Development, and Brothers and Sisters. He has also been featured in several films, including The Final Destination, Little Fockers, and Transformers: Age of Extinction.