Surname Burgholter - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Burgholter: What does the surname Burgholter mean?
The last name Burgholter is a German-origin name that is derived from two elements – ‘burg’ which means fortress or castle and ‘holter’ meaning tenant or dweller. The name was historically given to people who lived in or near fortresses or castles in Germany. It has been suggested the name may have originated from the Old High German ‘burgoltar’, which referred to someone who was stationed in a castle or fort.
The family name also appears in other Germanic languages, such as Dutch, where is spelled ‘Borghelders’. It is believed to date back to the 13th century, when there were many castles and fortified structures in the region. The earliest known bearer of the name is recorded in 1278, when one Konrad Burgoltar is mentioned in the records of Sultzbach.
The origins of many German family names may not be easy to trace, but the meaningful origins of Burgholter are clear. It is a reminder of the long history of those who lived centuries ago in the many castles and fortresses of the region. Those who bear the last name today are thus connected to these ancestors, and their lives and struggles in past centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisBurgholter: Where does the name Burgholter come from?
The last name Burgholter is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is a frequent name in the former German states of East and West Prussia, as well as in Mecklenburg, Pomerania, and Brandenburg.
The origin of the name is likely derived from the Old German burcholz, meaning "princely strength." As a result, it is likely that the origin of the Burgholter family can be traced back to a princely noble of German origin.
The highest concentration of people with the last name Burgholter is in Germany, but it can also be found in other European countries. It also appears in the United States, Brazil, Canada, and Australia where descendants of German immigrants have settled. Many immigrants to the United States from Germany adopted the English spelling "Burgardt" of the Burgholter name.
Immigrants who left Germany as part of the mass migrations of the late 19th/early 20th century carried the last name Burgholter to many other countries.
In the 21st century, the Burgholter name has remained a relatively frequent one in Germany, while growing in numbers in other countries where German immigrants have settled. It can often be found in telephone directories in many regions of the world where German immigrants have settled, and in countries with a rich German cultural heritage.
Variations of the surname Burgholter
The surname Burgholter is of German origin, and comes from the Middle German word 'burcvalter', meaning 'warden of a fort or castle'. This surname can trace its roots to the 12th century, when guards or wardens held the positions of 'Burghalter' at major cities and fortresses.
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Burgholter include: Burghalter, Burgwaller, Burgwalter, Borgholter, Borghwalter, Boorgholter, Boorghwalter, Birgholter, Birghwalter, Borghalter and Burgwalder.
Burgholter is a popular surname in countries like Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic. It's also seen in the Netherlands and other countries with German-speaking populations.
In the United States, the spelling of the surname has changed to Burgholtzer, Bergholz and Burgholzer. The surname also appears as Burghulder, Burgholter and Burgholts in the records of British immigrants and colonists.
Variations of the name can also be found in other parts of Europe including England, Ireland, Scotland, Norway, Finland, Sweden and Denmark. In Scotland the name is often spelled Burghelder or Burghtrylere.
Burgholter is also an ancient Jewish surname among Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews. In Yiddish, the word can be spelled Burghalter and Berghaltere. It was used to refer to a chief or leader of a community or group.
The Dutch spelling is Burgerholte or Bergholder, while the French spelling is Bourghaltier or Burgholtier. In Romania, the surname is sometimes seen as Borgholter.
Regardless of its spelling, the surname Burgholter is familiy to all those who share a common heritage. Its variations reveal the extent to which surnames can change and evolve over time.
Famous people with the name Burgholter
- Lynn Burgholter, professor of physics at the San José State University
- Heather Burgholter, a retired US Air Force officer
- Marjorie Burgholter, a partner of the law firm of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
- William Burgholter, an American sculptor and artist
- Keith Burgholter, a teacher at the University of Texas at San Antonio
- Tyler Burgholter, an Australian professional rugby league footballer
- Reagan Burgholter, a former professional basketball player
- Stephen Burgholter, a retired US Army and entrepreneur
- Paul Burgholter, a former American football player
- Brett Burgholter, a former American football coach