Surname Burghartz - Meaning and Origin
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Burghartz: What does the surname Burghartz mean?
The last name Burghartz is a Germanic-based name and is derived from the words 'burgh', meaning 'fortress' or 'town' and 'artz', which means 'bear'. The combined elements in the name refer to someone who was either a citizen of a fortified town, a bear-keeper or a bear hunter.
The origins of Burghartz trace back to the Middle Ages, when its first known occurrence was recorded in a city called Augsburg, located in the Bavarian region of Germany. The earliest record in this location dates back to the 13th century, during the rise of cities throughout Germany.
Throughout the centuries, the Burghartz name has spread throughout Germany and the rest of Europe. It is also seen in larger concentrations in Austria and Switzerland.
Variations of Burghartz have emerged over the centuries, such as Burgartz, Burghers and Bürgers. Common nicknames arising from this surname include Berghofer, Burgers and Bertz.
The surname symbolizes a family with a strong history in fortified cities and one that is connected to bravery, courage and toughness. Regardless of the origins, the Burghartz family name is associated with pride and respect throughout its many generations.
Order DNA origin analysisBurghartz: Where does the name Burghartz come from?
The last name Burghartz is most common to the areas of German-speaking Europe, particularly the Rhine-Ruhr region of western Germany, located in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate. The name is thought to have originated from the Burg, or castle, nearby to the area of origins. Burghartz is typically a variation of the surname Burgartz or Burgert, with the spelling 'Burghartz' chosen as an evolution of the name in Germany around the late 19th century.
Today, the Burghartz surname is still found mainly in the Ruhrgebiet region, with the highest concentration of the name per capita in the city of Unna, located in Northrhine-Westphalia. Hundreds of Burgharz families are found in the nearby city of Dortmund, with Dortmund being the second highest concentration of the name in the state.
Other regions with smaller numbers of Burghartz families include Austria, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Netherlands. According to Ancestry.com, there were approximately 1,000 individuals with the last name Burghartz in the United States in 2000. As of the 2020 census, there were 94 Burghartz families living in the United States. The largest concentration of the family name in the United States is in Ohio and Texas.
Though not as common as it once was, the Burghartz name carries a formidable lineage and is one that remains to this day. It is a testament to an immigrant German family who refused to let their legacy fade away, and its perseverance is an inspiration to others for generations to come.
Variations of the surname Burghartz
The variants, spellings and surnames of origin for the surname Burghartz are Burgartz, Burghardt, Burgardt, Berghardt, Burgert, Burger and Berghart.
Burgartz (variant) is a German surname that is derived from the Middle High German word Burgartz which means “guardian of the castle”. The surnames Burghardt, Burgardt and Berghardt are derived from the same Middle High German word and often used interchangably.
Burgert (variant) is a Dutch surname that is derived from the Middle Dutch word Burgher which means “citizen of the town” or “citizen of the fortification”. This surname is also sometimes Anglicized as “Burgess”.
The surname Burger (variant) is a German variant of the surname Burgher and is derived from the Middle High German word Burgher which means “townsman”. This surname is also often Anglicized as “Burger” and “Berger”.
The surname Berghart (variant) is a German name derived from the Middle High German Berghart which means “hill guardian”.
All these surnames are variations on the same surname and can be traced back to the same origin. Some of these surnames may also have evolved from other spelling or pronunciations, but the overall root remains the same.
Famous people with the name Burghartz
- Max Burghartz: former German cosmonaut
- Donovan Burghartz: Canadian sculptor
- Gerd-Rüdiger Burghartz: German classical philologist
- Rebecca Burghartz: German experimental psychologist
- Keith Burghartz: American artist and independent filmmaker
- Lawrence Burghartz: American musicologist and record producer
- Christina Burghartz: German linguist and professor
- Roger Burghartz: American fisherman and conservationist
- Michelle Burghartz: Canadian film and television director
- Philip Burghartz: German politician and physician