Surname Mehnert - Meaning and Origin
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Mehnert: What does the surname Mehnert mean?
Mehnert is a German last name of uncertain origin, possibly derived from the Germanic words “mith” meaning “middle” and “harut” meaning “army” or “host” and together can translate to mean "host of the middle". It is thought that this name was originally given to someone who belonged to a group situated between two others. It is also possible that this name has some relation to the Old High German word “meinhart” which translates to mean “strong in heart”.
The Mehnert name is prevalent in areas of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, although it can also be found in countries of Eastern Europe and the United States. Today, many members of the Mehnert family are still found in these locations and some still live in the original towns and villages which the surname was found in centuries ago.
The origin of the Mehnert surname has remained a mystery, however, this surname is still used by many today and is a unique part of many family stories and histories. It is a marker of tradition and heritage, and a symbol of past generations that have carried on this interesting last name for generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisMehnert: Where does the name Mehnert come from?
The last name Mehnert is most commonly found today in Germany. According to surname database resources, Mehnert is the 898th most common surname in Germany overall. The name appears to have first emerged in the churches of Pomerania from the 12th century onward, before slowly spreading throughout other regions as families migrated.
Today, it's most commonly encountered in the cities of Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich, and the states of Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt. Beyond the German borders, Mehnert is most frequently encountered in Austria and the Czech Republic. The name can also be found in the United States, either as an anglicized version of the German name or adopted by descendants of German immigrants.
Despite its relatively modest standing among German surnames, Mehnert has made a distinct mark on German folklore; the name has featured prominently in tales of Ostfriesland in particular. Through the ages, it served as a surname for artisans, merchants, and farmers, and it can still be found on shop signs and interspersed among other German surnames on contemporary population lists.
Variations of the surname Mehnert
Mehnert is a surname with German origins that can be spelled in many different ways. Common alternatives to Mehnert are Mehnhard, Mehnhardt, Mehne, Mehner, Mayerhofer, Meinert, Menhardt, and more.
Mehnert is an occupational name, derived from the Middle High German ‘meinhard’ meaning vigorous or brave. It was applied as an epithet in the Middle Ages out of admiration or respect for the bearer's strength, boldness, or courage.
In German records prior to the 19th century, spellings of this surname have varied greatly. For example, forms such as Meiner, Meinerich, Meinerichs, Meine, Meinere, Meinher, Meinharts, Meinhoser, Meinhör, and Meinke were in use at various times. In East Prussia, Mehnert was also spelled as Mehrenth, Mehrent, and Mehrnt.
Variations of the Mehnert surname can be found in other languages as well. The Russian form of this name is Mehnertov, while in the Czech Republic, it is spelled Mehnertova or Mihner. In France, it is Mehner; and in Poland, the shortened Meiner is common.
In summary, there are many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin as Mehnert. Each of these variations reflects the unique culture and history of the region in which they are found. It is important to note, however, that all of these spellings are derived from a common ancestor and can refer to the same family.
Famous people with the name Mehnert
- Hermann Mehnert: German writer, known for his autobiography 'Geschichte meines Lebens und Schaffens'
- Paul Mehnert: German pianist and composer of popular and classical music
- Alexander Mehnert: German field hockey player
- Paul Mehnert: Prussian butler of the Order of the Black Eagle
- Julian Mehnert: Born in 1870, German conductor and teacher
- Oskar Mehnert: German Liberal politician
- Alfred Mehnert: Early twentieth century German architect
- Georg Mehnert: German theologian and writer
- Johann Richard Mehnert: German entomologist
- Konrad Mehnert: German physicist and mathematician