Surname Markwart - Meaning and Origin
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Markwart: What does the surname Markwart mean?
The surname Markwart is a German name derived from the Old High German name ‘Marohswart’, meaning ‘fame and guardian’. It has been in existence since the 12th century, scattered throughout central Europe.
During this time period, many people were given hereditary family names to help make it easier to identify them. Those who had the Markwart surname were likely known to be of great esteem and great guardians of their community. This could have been due to a number of reasons, such as being distinguished lordship or nobleman in the area, or wealthy and respected businessmen.
Today, the Markwart surname is commonly associated with being of German heritage, although there are several people of other European nationalities who bear the name. The surname is still found throughout central Europe, especially in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
No matter the origins, the Markwart name is synonymous with strength, character, and responsibility. Those with the surname of Markwart can be proud to come from a long heritage of noble and moral stewards who dedicated themselves to maintaining the values of their community.
Order DNA origin analysisMarkwart: Where does the name Markwart come from?
The surname Markwart (or Marcourt, Marcourt, Marcour, Marcoury, Marcou, Marcoue, Marcouy) is common today throughout the German-speaking countries, particularly in Austria, South Tyrol, parts of Switzerland, and Germany. The French version of the name is Marcourt or Marcou.
In the United States, the majority of Markwarths are either immigrants from of one of the German-speaking countries mentioned above, or descendants from immigrants who arrived in North America in the 19th or 20th centuries. The Markwart name is specifically found largely in states with high populations of German descent, such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Nebraska.
When the origin of the name is traced back to its earliest German-speaking ancestor it can most often be found in cooler, mountainous regions in the Germanic countries. Here it is often associated with the Slovakian surname Marcovics, as well as the Croatian surname Marić and the Slovenian surname Markežič.
Due to the multicultural history of the Markwart surname, you are likely to find people of various different ethnicities bearing the name, from Germans to Austrians, Croatians, Slovakians, and Slovenians. This dispersion highlights the diverse history of the surname, illustrating how it has spread throughout much of Europe, and even into North America.
Variations of the surname Markwart
The variant spellings for the surname Markwart include Markwerth, Markworth, Markwort, and Markwerd. All of these spellings are derived from an Old German name made up of two components: mark, which was an Old German term for “border” or “borderland”; and wart, which meant “guard” or “watchman”.
In early Europe, people often took on a surname to describe their occupation, geography, or physical characteristics. The surname Markwart was likely adopted by an ancestor who protected a border or those who lived near a border. It would also make sense for someone who served as a guard or watchman to take on the surname.
From the Markwart surname, several derivatives and surname variants have originated. These include Markverth, Markwerth, Marcwart, Merkinger, Marko, Markosky, Markwort Of Hoff, Markwood, Markewort, Markerich, Merkwitz, Markelbach, Margowski, Marquard, Markwardt, Marek, and Marschalk, among others.
The variants are also found throughout Europe in various countries. All of these surnames are derived from the same root of the original name. While the surname may have been adopted by people with various occupations and backgrounds, they all descend from the same origin and share the same meaning of guardian or protector.
Famous people with the name Markwart
- 1980s British athlete Linda Markwart
- Austrian discus thrower and javelin thrower Wolfgang Markwart
- Scottish cycling champion Jim Markwart
- American NASCAR driver Mark Markwart
- German opera singer and tenor Rudolf Markwart
- American visual artist and sculptor Sarah Markwart
- American actor and voice actor Mark Schilling Markwart
- Dutch speed skater Nanda Markwart
- Dutch hammer thrower Leonie Markwart
- Swiss race car driver Olivier Markwart