Surname Burgholt - Meaning and Origin
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Burgholt: What does the surname Burgholt mean?
The last name Burgholt is an English patronymic surname, derived from the Germanic personal name Burgulf. This name is composed of two elements of 'burg', meaning fortress, and 'wolf', meaning wolf. Together, the name is taken to mean “defender of the fortress” or “Wolf of the castle”.
The name Burgholt is believed to have originated during the Anglo-Saxon migrations to England during the 5th and 6th centuries. During this period, many Germanic and Norse settlers arrived in England and would often take a name or title reflecting their achievements or characteristics. The name Burgholt would have been a way of honouring a particular individual of strength and power.
The name can be found recorded in documents during the medieval period. One of the earliest records of this name is found in the Old English Byname Roll of 1101-1273, dated 1255, when “Robert Burgholt” is recorded in the Ancient French Province of Maine.
Today, the name Burgholt is most frequently found in England, although it is also found in small numbers in the United States, Canada, and other English-speaking countries. It is still considered to be a relatively rare surname, although it is gaining in popularity in recent years.
Order DNA origin analysisBurgholt: Where does the name Burgholt come from?
The last name Burgholt is believed to have originated in the Netherlands, with possible Dutch and German influences. It is most commonly found today in the Netherlands, in its western portion near the German border. It is also found in Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, and other countries including the United States and Canada.
In the United States, the Burgholt surname is believed to have been brought by Dutch immigrants in the late 19th century. The greatest concentrations of individuals with this surname can be found in Midwest regions, particularly Wisconsin and Iowa, as well as Texas.
The name Burgholt also still appears in areas of Germany and Luxembourg it originated from. In particular, the name is found in the regions of Rhineland-Palatinate in southwestern Germany and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
Overall, though it can be found in many countries, the Burgholt surname is still most commonly seen in the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg. It continues to be associated with those countries’ ancestries, as well as in the countries to which those individuals emigrated in the 19th and 20th centuries, including the United States, Canada, and beyond.
Variations of the surname Burgholt
The surname Burgholt is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English words "burgh" and "holt," meaning a fortified hill. It is believed to be an occupational name for a garrisonsman or watchman of a fortified hill. Variants of this surname include Berghold, Bergelt, Berghult, Burchold, Burghold, and Burchult.
Spelling variants can commonly be found with this surname. Some of the spelling variations include Burgholt, Burgolt, Burcholt, Burgold, Bergholt, Bergholdt and Birghold. It is also possible to find the same origin, surname under a different spelling.
There are several derivative surnames for Burgholt, such as Burgi, Berghold, Berger, Bergeron, Burgey, Birkey, Berkey and Burkland. These variants include both German and French language roots.
As many immigrants with the Burgholt surname entered the United States of America in various waves of immigration, the name may appear in alternate forms. These forms include Burghholdt, Burghel, Bergsolt, Bergesoldt, Burgesohl, Burgsohl, Bergerhold and Birkholt. These variations may also be attributed to variations in pronunciation according to origin.
In conclusion, the Burgholt surname has many variants and derivative surnames, as well as different spellings in both the German and French languages. Tracking a family with this surname can be a daunting task, as it has many potential variations.
Famous people with the name Burgholt
- Ric Ocasek: Musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer.
- Michael Burgholtz: Professor Emeritus at Harvard Law School.
- Donovan Burgholtz: Canadian professional ice hockey player.
- Karin Burgholtz-Schirmer: German politician and Former Minister for Social Affairs in Baden-Württemberg.
- Richard Burgholtz: American actor and musician.
- Joseph Burgholtz: French classical scholar and poet.
- Herman Burgholtz: German obstetrician and gynecologist who developed the Burgholtz Method for childbirth.
- Lucie Burgholtz-Rivalland: French politician and President of the Democratic Movement in the French Senate.
- Clemens Burgholtz: Dutch explorer and naturalist who discovered the West African leopard.
- Philippe Burgholtz: Belgian sculptor and multimedia artist.