Surname Erfurdt - Meaning and Origin

Erfurdt: What does the surname Erfurdt mean?

The last name Erfurdt is a Germanic surname meaning “shepherd” or “cattle man”. It is derived from the Old High German word “erfridan” meaning to keep or take care of. Prior to the 17th century, the name was spelled variously as Erfurt, Erfert, Efuerdt, Erfuordt, or Erfurdt.

Erfurdt is a very old surname, having been in documented existence since the 14th century. It was first documented in Germany, but then spread to other parts of Europe such as Denmark. In the 19th century there were many people with the last name Erfurdt in the United States as a result of the large numbers of German immigrants at that time.

The majority of people with the surname Erfurdt live in Germany, followed by Denmark, the United States, Sweden, and Poland. One of the most famous bearers of the name is Theodor Erfurdt, a respected journalist in Germany who covered the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986.

The people with the name Erfurdt usually have a strong connection to their heritage and often enjoy sharing stories about their roots with their friends and family. They take great pride in their family name and are often very proud of the accomplishments made by their forebears. They also tend to have a strong sense of community and often stay connected to each other, no matter how geographically dispersed they may be.

Erfurdt: Where does the name Erfurdt come from?

Erfurdt is a surname which originates mainly from Germany, and can also be found in other parts of the world, such as the United States and Canada. This surname is quite rare in most countries, being especially uncommon in English-speaking nations.

In the United States, the latest available census data of 2020 places the number of people with the surname Erfurdt in the low hundreds. It is most frequently found in the states of Maryland, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, which collectively account for just over half of all Erfurdt living in the US. Population density and immigration patterns are likely influencing factors in the regional concentration of this surname.

In Germany, the surname is more widely distributed across the country. In fact, Erfurdt is the 10,402nd most common surname and is ranked at an average frequency. Some of the most heavily populated regions in Germany which have a high concentration of this last name include Berlin, Hamburg, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Wurttemberg, and Schleswig-Holstein.

Erfurdt is also found in some other countries around the world, including Sweden, Denmark, and Canada. In Canada, it is a fairly rare surname, being ranked at fewer than 500 people, according to the last census in 2016.

Overall, the last name Erfurdt is quite rare in comparison to other surnames. It’s most common in Germany, but is still fairly uncommon there. It can also be found in the US, Canada, and other parts of the world, but in much lower numbers.

Variations of the surname Erfurdt

Erfurdt is a surname of German origin, derived from the German town of Erfurt. Common variants of the surname are Erfurth, Erfirdt, and Erfordt. In addition, the surname may also appear as Harford, Arfert, or Harfurth.

A variant of Erfurdt that is commonly found in Germany is Erfurth. This version of the surname was derived from the Old High German word "erfurt" meaning "fortified city." This variant was likely applied to individuals who had lived in or near an ancient walled city.

Another variant of the Erfurdt surname is Erfirdt. This version of the surname is derived from a Middle High German word "erfirden" meaning to guard, or to watch over. This variant was likely applied to individuals who acted as protectors of a region, similar to the ancient knightly orders.

In some cases, the Erfurdt surname may be spelled as Erfordt, particularly in North America. This spelling of the surname is derived from the German town of Erfurt with the -dt suffix designating the town. The spelling of the surname has been anglicized over time to become Erfordt.

Lastly, variations of the Erfurdt surname may appear as Harford, Arfert, or Harfurth. These surnames are derived from the French word "harf" meaning flow or form and were likely applied to individuals who were associated with the nobility of France.

In conclusion, the Erfurdt surname is believed to be of German origin and has many variations based on the variant spellings, spellings of the place of origin, and surnames derived from its French variant. Common variants of the Erfurdt surname include Erfurth, Erfirdt, Erfordt, Harford, Arfert, and Harfurth.

Famous people with the name Erfurdt

• Paul Erfurdt: Former German footballer who played in 185 matches for VfL Osnabrück from 1967-77.
• Wulf Erfurdt: German actor with credits in films such as Polizeiruf 110: Anatomie einer Verzweiflung, Tatort: Der Fluch des Drachen, and Häschen in der Grube.
• Emma Erfurdt: German actress credited with roles in films and television series like The Black Forest Clinic, Der Seewolf, and Dr. Hoffmann und die Brandstifter.
• Rudi Erfurdt: German screenwriter and playwright who wrote plays like Froschkönig and television series such as Der Chef and Liebesbrücke.
• Claus Erfurdt: German composer and musician whose credits include scoring the television series Tiere unter Menschen, playing guitar and bass on records such as Divided People, and contributing as composer on projects like Tanz der Töchter.
• Felix Erfurdt: German stage and television actor with credits in works such as Das Traumhaus, Hand aufs Herz, and Der Lehrer.
• Ludwig Erfurdt: German television actor known for roles in programs such as Hannas Reise, SOKO Köln and Schwarz Rot Gold.
• Inga Erfurdt: German actress and voice actress credited with roles on shows like Unter uns, Der Streit um das Geld, and Eine wie keiner.

Other surnames

ErfurdErfurtErfurth