Surname Notdurft - Meaning and Origin

Notdurft: What does the surname Notdurft mean?

The last name Notdurft is a German surname and it can be translated to "need not do". It is derived from an old German phrase, "nöti durfte". It is thought to originate from the Bavarian region of Austria, although also being found in other parts of Germany.

The meaning of Notdurft is often described to imply that the person carrying the name was a free spirit, someone who did not have to adhere to restrictive codes or societal norms. This kind of nonconformity, a refusal to accept what may be considered to be the 'status quo', is often attributed to someone with the Notdurft surname.

This surname can often be spotted in old German documents from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance era, such as birth records, tax returns, and land deeds. There are even records of Notdurft families owning castles and manors, such as the Notdurft family in Bohemia in the 16th century.

Notdurft is not a particularly common surname, but is unique and carries a connotation of independence and individualism. It may also indicate that the bearer of the name may have had a particular skill or talent which enabled them to be successful and to stand out from the crowd.

Notdurft: Where does the name Notdurft come from?

The last name Notdurft is currently most common in Germany, although it can be found in various other countries around Europe. The name is believed to have originated in northern Germany, and is likely derived from the German word “nothdurft,” which translates to “could not” or “must have.”

Today, people with the Notdurft surname can be found in many parts of Germany, including Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Schleswig-Holstein, and Thuringia. Through immigration, the Notdurft name has made its way to other parts of the world including The Netherlands, the United States, Canada, South Africa, and Australia.

Though the surname itself is quite old and has been in use since the Middle Ages, it is still relatively rare. Last name data from the Companies House register in the UK, for example, shows that only 6 people are listed with the Notdurft surname, making it one of the rarest surnames on the register.

It is likely, however, that the popularity of the last name will grow as more people choose to adopt it as their own. With its historical roots and attractive meaning, the Notdurft surname is likely to receive more attention in the future.

Variations of the surname Notdurft

The Notdurft surname is believed to be of German origin. Over the years, several spelling variations and surname variants for the Notdurft surname have emerged.

The most common variant spelling of Notdurft is Nottdurft. Other alternate spellings of the same name include Nieddurft, Nudurft, Natdurft, Nottdurf, Notdurf, and Notdurftt.

The patronymic surnames for Notdurft include Notdurfter, Notdurftert, Notdurfft, Nottdurffer, Nottdurffer, Natdurffer, Nieddurffer, Natdurffter, Nieddurffter, and Nudurffter. Surname variants of Nottdurft include Neudorff, Nieddorf, Nuedorff, Notdorpf, Notdorff, Nudorf, Nottinger, Nottinger, and Nodden.

A number of other surnames with different spellings derived from the Notdurft surname include Notter, Noter, Notner, Nutter, Nodner, Nother, Nodorfer, Nudorfer, Nudorffer, and Nieddorfer.

The surname Notdurft is believed to have originated in the Latin words non habitantem, which literally means "without dwelling". This term was used to describe people who had no fixed place of residence, and over time, the surname became permanently adopted by certain families in Germany. Other etymological sources suggest that the name originated from the old German word dorf, which means "village". The Prefix Not was then added to the surname, referring to an individual who was not from a particular village.

Famous people with the name Notdurft

• Alfred Notdurft Jr., former Vice President of ExxonMobil
• Nathan Notdurft, American Olympic diver
• Dr. John Notdurft, American surgeon, professor and researcher at Harvard University
• George Notdurft, American politician and former state representative from Illinois
• Suzanne Notdurft, American author and editor
• Kurt Notdurft, German politician and a member of the Schleswig-Holstein Regional Parliament
• Garry Notdurft, Australian award-winning artist and woodworker
• John Notdurft, American football offensive lineman
• Christine Notdurft, German school teacher and former member of the education committee of the city of Berlin
• Reg Notdurft, American jazz musician

Other surnames

Notdurfter