Surname Herwarts - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Herwarts: What does the surname Herwarts mean?
The last name Herwarts is of German origin and is made up of two distinct words. 'Her' is a German word meaning 'army' or 'host', and 'warts' is derived from 'warth', which comes from the Middle High German 'wart' meaning 'forest', 'woodland' or 'on the shore'. Therefore, the name Herwarts could be interpreted as 'army of the woods'.
At a more descriptive level, Herwarts was likely chosen to reflect a close connection to one's surroundings – specifically to a German family's ancestral land or home. It symbolizes a unity between the army, which would have been one of the primary providers of security in the area, and nature, which would have been a prominent feature of most regions in Germany.
This name is still present in Germany today, with variations of the spelling, including Herwart, Herward, Herwardt, and Harward. Across Europe, Herwards can be found in countries such as France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.
The coat of arms for the Herwarts family shows a shield featuring a left-slanting ermine on an upward-pointing arrow in black on a gold background. This could be seen as symbolizing the military significance of the Herwarts name, showing the unification of man and nature. This has been a recognizable symbol for the family for several centuries.
Overall, the name Herwarts continues to hold significant meaning for those who bear the name and is representative of a strong connection to the history of German families and the land from which they originate.
Order DNA origin analysisHerwarts: Where does the name Herwarts come from?
The last name Herwarts is especially common in Central and Eastern Europe. In particular, it is prevalent in the countries of Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, and Belgium, where it ranks among the top 250 surnames. The name can also be found in countries such as Poland and the Czech Republic, as well as in the United States and Canada.
Herwarts is derived from the Germanic language root of "Hearth," meaning courage and strength. This was likely the name of a powerful family in the Middle Ages, and it has been passed down over the generations. It is thought that it may have originally been derived in the Romanesque period, when names of strength were prominent, and thus the name Herwarts was born.
As of 2020 in Germany, the name is particularly common in the German states of Rhineland-Palatinate, Brandenburg, and Hesse. In the United States, the surname is particularly concentrated in the states of Texas, California, and New York. Across the pond in the United Kingdom, the name can be found in the East Midlands and South East as the most common concentrations of the name.
The name is most likely to carry the German spelling of Herwarts, but it can also be found in other variations such as Harwart, Herwartz, and perhaps even Herward. In most cases, the surname is pronounced "her-varts".
Variations of the surname Herwarts
The Herwarts surname is of Germanic descent. Herwarts can be found as Harwarts, Harvards, Herwartz, Hervarts, Harwerdts, Harwaerts, Harwerdt, Garvarts, Garverts, Garvards, and even as Garrards.
Herwarts is likely derived from the Old High German personal name ‘Heriwalt’, which is composed of the elements ‘heri’ meaning ‘army’, and ‘walt’ meaning ‘rule’. This personal name is found as a name in medieval Germany.
The use of variations of the Herwarts name today is primarily found in Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. It is likely from areas in these countries that the name began to migrate around Europe, and to other areas of the world. It is also possible that some emigrants took the name with them as they moved.
As with many surnames, the spelling of Herwarts has varied over time. The exact origin of the name is difficult to trace due to the variability of spelling, and the multiple origins.
Herwarts is a relatively common surname, however, due to the variations of the name, it is not always easily identifiable. Families with the surname today may be related to one another, but may have altered the spelling of the name to suit their needs.
Famous people with the name Herwarts
- Maria Herwarts: Maria Herwarts is an Austrian figure skater who competed in the 1976 Winter Olympics.
- Ernst Herwarts: Ernst Herwarts was an Austrian physicist and professor at the University of Graz from 1907 until his death in 1954.
- Adolf Herwarts: Adolf Herwarts was a German lawyer, politician and member of the Reichstag during the Weimar Republic.
- Robert Herwarts: Robert Herwarts is an Australian dirigible enthusiast and innovator who developed the first modern blimps and hot air balloons in the late 20th century.
- John Herwarts: John Herwarts is an American musician, songwriter and producer who has worked with a variety of artists, including Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Soundgarden.
- William Herwarts: William Herwarts is an American physicist and Nobel Laureate in physics. He made groundbreaking advancements in the field of quantum mechanics.
- Lionel Herwarts: Lionel Herwarts is a French professor of music, an ethnomusicologist, and a specialist in early music.
- Christian Herwarts: Christian Herwarts is a German football goalkeeper who currently plays for SV Ried in the 2. Bundesliga.
- Paul Herwarts: Paul Herwarts is a German sculptor who worked in the Baroque tradition. He is best known for his work in churches in Munich.
- Lassana Herwarts: Lassana Herwarts is a Sierra Leonean footballer who currently plays for Lebanese club Al-Shamal SC.