Surname Furthmüller - Meaning and Origin
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Furthmüller: What does the surname Furthmüller mean?
The last name Furthmüller is a German surname with origins in the 13th century. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "furthi", which means "outskirts" and the Middle High German word "muller", which means "miller". Thus the name literally translates to "mill at the outskirts". As a topographic surname, Furthmüller indicates that the original bearer of the name is likely to have come from a small farming village located at the outskirts of a community.
In the 12th century, the Furthmüller family was already established in the village of Deilhofen, and over the centuries, branches of the family spread out to other parts of Germany. Today, the family can still be found in several parts of Germany, including Bavaria, Baden-Württemburg, Rhineland-Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Hanover.
Given the history of the family, it is likely that those bearing the Furthmüller surname have some connection to the agricultural industry—likely milling or agricultural production. In addition, given the family’s long history in Germany, those who bear the Furthmüller surname today continue to have a true German heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisFurthmüller: Where does the name Furthmüller come from?
The last name Furthmüller is most commonly found today in Germany and Austria. Its origins are believed to come from an area in what is now northern Bavaria near the Rhine River. The name translates roughly to "fourth miller," alluding to the fact that the family used to own a mill, perhaps four generations prior. It is theorized that this area was heavily populated by Germanic tribes, so the people of the area would have had nothing but Germanic roots.
In contemporary times, Furthmüller is still widely spread throughout Germany and Austria. There are more than 5,000 individuals living within these two countries today that have this surname. It is also found in pockets in neighboring countries, such as Switzerland, as well as parts of Canada and the United States.
Since the original milling location is unknown, there is little documentation that can trace the origin of this family’s name. It is possible that some records may be found in Germanic archives that date back to the 16th century. Those archives may shed more light on the surname’s origin.
In any case, today the Furthmüller name is a part of the German and Austrian identity, and this family can proudly trace their history back to a part of the world that has been occupied by Germanic people for many centuries.
Variations of the surname Furthmüller
The surname Furthmüller is a German occupational name typically deriving from an official who was responsible for managing and adjucating disputes outside of town either in adjacent meadows, forests, hills, fields or roads. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for this name include the following:
Furhmeuller, Furthmueller, Furthmiller, Vurthemuller, Vurdmuller, Vurthmuller, Vurtmueller, Vurtmuller, Voerdemueller, Voerdmillar, Verdemueller, Verdemeler, Verdemuller, Verdmueller, Verdmillar, Ferdemuller, Ferdemueller, Ferdmeller, Ferthmuller, Furthmellor, Furthmüllar, Furtmmueller, and Virthemuler.
The name is particularly common in Austria and Germany, where records are available from the 15th-century onwards. However, given the similarities between the surname variants and spellings, it is possible that the Furthmüller name derived from another similar sounding name.
The surname has also been used as a first name, particularly in German-speaking regions. It is a German form of the given name Ferdinand, derived from the Germanic 'fardi', which means 'journey' or 'joke', and the name may have first been carried by a entertainer of some kind. Alternatively, the surname may have referred to someone who was outwardly happy and content, since 'fardi' also translates to 'joyful'.
The Furthmüller name continues to be popular in the present day, and the name is still used both as a surname and as a given name.
Famous people with the name Furthmüller
- Christian Furthmüller, Austrian Catholic scholar of the 19th century.
- Paul Joseph Carl Furthmüller, German historian and geographer.
- Friedrich Furthmüller, Austrian postcard painter of the early 20th century.
- Hans Furthmüller, German sculptor of the 20th century.
- Erich Furthmüller, German Professor Emeritus of economics.
- Johann Furthmüller, Austrian sculptor, painter, and engraver.
- Christian Ferdinand Furthmüller, German painter of the 19th century.
- Johanna Furthmüller, Austrian painter of the 19th century.
- Karl Ferdinand Furthmüller, Austrian painter and illustrator of the 19th century.
- Michael Rudolf Furthmüller, German filmmaker.