Surname Lachert - Meaning and Origin
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Lachert: What does the surname Lachert mean?
The last name Lachert is an old French surname of Norman origin. It is believed to have originated from the word ‘Lachier’ which is an old French word meaning ‘to dig’ or ‘harrow’. Therefore, the name Lachert is generally associated with someone who harrows the land or a farmer.
The Lachert name is an uncommon name and is mainly found in the regions of Normandy, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands. It is believed that the name is derived from the Latin word ‘Lacertus’ which means strength or courage. This is in reference to strong farmers and cultivators of the land.
In the Middle Ages, the name Lachert was often used as a nickname, and there were various spellings of the name such as Lacert, Lacerti and Lachier. Over the centuries, the surname has evolved but it still retains its meaning of harrower or tiller of the land.
The Lachert surname is also found in sections of the United States, with the first Lacherts arriving in America during the 1600s. The Lachert family have also had a prominent presence in church and military service and even had a coat of arms with the motto “Fortitudo et Vigilance” or “Strength and Vigilance”.
Order DNA origin analysisLachert: Where does the name Lachert come from?
The last name Lachert is most commonly found in Germany and other German-speaking areas of Europe, such as Austria, Belgium, and Switzerland. Due to the migration patterns of German settlers to other parts of the world, the surname has also been found in other places, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In Germany, the last name is recorded primarily in the regions of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). Those living in NRW are particularly concentrated in the state's western and northwestern regions, which includes the major cities of Aachen, Cologne, Düsseldorf, and Bonn.
There are several different spellings of the surname, including its German variant, Lachter, and variations in other countries such as the Latinization, Lacterius. The name can also be spelled LEAchert, Laehter, Laechert, Laeker, Lait, Lajer, Lajoie, Lakert, Laschut, Latchet, Latz, or Lawer.
Although the origin of the name is uncertain, it is thought to have been derived from an old German word for a “dweller at a hill” (or “Lachert” in modern German), or it may be related to a Slavic place name or surname.
Today, the last name Lachert continues to be found in German-speaking countries, as well as countries around the world where German-speaking immigrants have settled.
Variations of the surname Lachert
The surname Lachert is a surname of German and Polish origin which can have many variants and spellings. Some of the variants and spelling include Lacher, Lechert, Lecher, Lecherer, Lachet, Lachery, Lackey, Lechery, Lekert, Lechter, Leckert, Lockert, and Lurchert.
In German, the surname Lachert is derived from the occupational name for a tanner of hides, derived from the Middle High German word “lachen” which means “to tan”. The surname may have been an occupational name among either the tanner or maker of leather goods in the town of Lacher in Bavaria.
In Polish, the surname Lachert comes from the word “ćech” which means “craftsman” or “master.” This surname was likely adopted by craftsmen or merchants with the surname Lacher as an occupational name.
Over time, some who bore the surname Lachert may have had their name spelled or pronounced slightly differently due to changing pronunciations and dialects. Additionally, some members who bore the surname Lachert may have Anglicized their surname to resemble the English word “Lockert” or to “Lackey” which was an alternative surname for servants and other workers.
Although most of the variants and surnames have English associations, the root of the surname remains in Germany and Poland. It is likely that those who currently carry the surname Lachert can trace their lineages back to Germany and Poland as its original spellings and variants.
Famous people with the name Lachert
- Mark Lachert: former German professional footballer who played in the German 2. Bundesliga.
- Franz Lachert: Austrian-born American sculptor best known for his Art-Deco bas-reliefs for the St. Louis Post Office.
- Alena Lachert: professional Slovenian volleyball player who plays for the SIP Sempeter club in the Slovenian Championship League.
- Rena Lachert: American painter who works predominantly in oil paints and in a realistic style.
- Peter Lachert: German rower who won gold at the 1976 Summer Olympics in the men’s coxless four.
- Malgorzata Lachert: Polish rower who won gold at the 2000 Summer Olympics in the women’s coxless four.
- Scott Lachert: American musician and composer who has released several albums and has worked extensively with film and television.
- Michał Lachert: Polish sports journalist who focuses on tracking the athleticism and storylines of extreme sports athletes.
- Brad Lachert: Canadian-born basketball player who currently plays for the Marburg Unicorns in the second division of the German Basketball League.
- Rafał Lachert: Polish jazz composer and multi-instrumentalist, most notably known for his albums “Rhythm of Life” and “Crossing Oceans”.