Surname Härth - Meaning and Origin
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Härth: What does the surname Härth mean?
The last name Härth is a German surname with roots in the Middle Ages. It is derived from the word hert, which is Old German for “heart.” This indicates that individuals with this last name have a strong connection to their community, family, and/or faith.
Härth includes many variations such as Hart, Harte, and Hardt. Though the spelling may have changed, the meaning of Härth has remained consistent over the centuries. This last name is symbolic of loyalty, deep ties to family and community, and a strong faith in something greater than oneself.
The Härth family has been a part of German society for centuries. Descendants of this last name can be found in Sweden, Denmark, England, Russia, and the United States. Härth is a rare last name, but those who carry it are proud of their heritage.
Though the underlying meaning has stayed the same over the years, the Härth family is no different from any other family. Life has changed drastically since the Middle Ages, yet families remain committed to loyalty, faith, and strong relationships with one another. The last name Härth is symbolic of that deep-rooted commitment that binds all families together.
Order DNA origin analysisHärth: Where does the name Härth come from?
The last name Härth is most commonly found throughout Austria, Germany, and Switzerland in the modern day. In Austria specifically, the surname typically appears most often around the capital cities of Salzburg and Vienna.
Outside of Central Europe, where the last name is less common, the surname can also be encountered in places like the United States and Canada, owing largely to European immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The original meaning of the name is attributed to the Old High German word "herida," meaning strong or firm. This would originally have indicated that individuals with the surname Härth are of a strong moral character.
Today, variations in the spelling of the name may include Hert, Hart, and Herth. The surname has also been seen as an occupational name to indicate ancestry of hunters, as the name itself means "stag". In some cases, only a single letter may be different in the name, depending on the language. In German, for example, the name can be rendered as "Herz."
The name is still sometimes seen in official documents, such as birth certificates, passports, and other official forms of identification. It is also seen in marriage records, church registers, and newspaper archives. Although it is not as widely encountered as it once was, the last name is still remembered and honored by many of those who bear it.
Variations of the surname Härth
Härth is an occupational surname derived from the German word ‘hausmeister’, meaning ‘house master’, and usually referring to the head of a manor house or castle. Over the centuries, the surname has taken on alternate spellings and variants.
The most common variant spelling is Hart. Other spellings include Herth, Herrth, Harth, Harthe, Heerth, Hert, Haert, Hürth, Hirth, Hijrth, Hairth, Hordth, and Hardt. Surnames of similar origin and meaning include Hartung, Hartmann, Hertel, Hörtl, and Harter. Within the United States, the surname has commonly been Americanized as "Hart".
The surname has also extended to several distinct branches, with different spellings and variants associated with each. Different branches with the same origin can be found in Germany, England, Scotland, France, Lithuania, and Poland. In some instances, the surname may have originated from other lands as well, likely as a result of transliteration and language barrier confusion.
No matter the variant, the surname is associated with a household leader. As such, it has been a recognizable surname for centuries across the world.
Famous people with the name Härth
- Johann Andreas Härth (1748–1820), German poet
- Max Härth (1852–1927), German cartographer and land surveyor
- Günther von Härth (1856-1926), German World War I General
- Gret Härth (1924-2019), German politician
- Martin Härth (born 1950), German historian
- Carsten Härth (born 1955), German Olympic shot put athlete
- Olaf Härth (born 1964), German modern pentathlete
- Stefan Härth (born 1974), Austrian football midfielder
- Kerstin Härth (born 1980), German classical numismatist
- Sigrid Härth (born 1982), Austrian squash player