Surname Nothdorft - Meaning and Origin
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Nothdorft: What does the surname Nothdorft mean?
The last name Nothdorft is a German name, derived from two Old German elements: Not meaning 'courage' and Dorf meaning 'village'. The name was likely an occupational name for someone who lived in a village and was known for their boldness and courage.
The older form of the name was 'Notdorf', but as the spelling of the time could be quite inconsistent, the name may have been registered as 'Nothdorft' on various documents. Over the centuries, the spelling of this surname has been modified to its current spelling, a style still popular among many countries.
It is believed, though not confirmed, that the original Nothdorft families lived in Bavaria, a region of Germany that borders the Czech Republic and Austria. It has been theorized that the family name, Nothdorft, may have been derived from the village of Nothdorf in Bavaria. It is possible that the family originally lived there and moved out at some stage.
Although the origin of the name Nothdorft is uncertain, the focus on courage and strength that the name implies continues to be meaningful today. In the United States, families of this surname have spread all across the nation, likely humbly attesting to their ancestors bravery and strength as a humble nod to their German roots.
Order DNA origin analysisNothdorft: Where does the name Nothdorft come from?
The last name Nothdorft is most commonly found in the country of Germany. It is an old German name and, according to the United States Social Security Administration, the surname Nothdorft first appeared in the United States in 1880. Currently, it is most concentrated in the north-central states of Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
Though Nothdorft is a primarily German last name, it is also found in the United States and other countries around the world, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. There are an estimated 1,000 people in America with the last name Nothdorft.
Genealogical records indicate that the Nothdorft family originated from the ancient German region of Bavaria. It is believed that the family dates back to medieval times, when they lived in the village of Nothdorft near Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
The Nothdorft family name was found in the records of many of the early German settlers in America. In particular, many Nothdorfts emigrated to the United States in the 1800s, making them some of the first German immigrants to the country. These immigrants mostly ended up in the north-central states of Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. As such, these areas continue to be where most Nothdorfts in America are concentrated today.
Variations of the surname Nothdorft
There are several variants of the surname Nothdorft that all share the same origin. These variants include Nothdurft, Nothduerft, Nothdorf, Nothdurf, Nothdurt, Nothdorfte, Nothduerd, and Nothdoerd.
The most common variant of the Nothdorft surname is Nothdurft, which is also the oldest. This variant is believed to have originated in Germany, where the first documented instance occurred in the year 1425. It is believed that the early version of the name came from a language of limited scope, a language now known as Frisian. This language was spoken in the northern part of Germany.
The use of the surname Nothdorf(te) is also seen in Germany, with records being found as early as 1520. Nothdorph was also used in Germany, where it was found in records from 1598. This variant is believed to have come from the same language source as Nothdurft.
The surnames Nothduerd and Nothdoerd are two variants of the same origin as the above. These presumably derived from the same linguistic roots, but evidence is limited to the use in the records in northern Germany.
The spelling Nothdurt has been seen in parts of the United Kingdom, and is believed to have been used as an Anglicized version of the original surname.
Overall, the story of the Nothdurft and Nothdorft surnames is one that is steeped in history. It is believed to have originated in Germany, with the Frisian language being the source of the early use. This use spread to the United Kingdom, where it was Anglicized to Nothdurt. The other variants and spellings of the surname are believed to have come from the same source, and continue to be used in the parts of Germany where they first appeared.
Famous people with the name Nothdorft
- Heinz-Dieter Nothdorf (German Chess Player)
- Paul Nothdorft (British Screenwriter and Novelist)
- Rhys Nothdorft (Australian Footballer)
- Helge Nothdorf (Norwegian Politician)
- Tony Nothdorft (German Producer)
- Ludwig Nothdorf (German Politician)
- Marius Nothdorft (Norwegian Actor)
- Dmitrij Nothdorft (Russian Soccer Player)
- Hermann Nothdorft (German Cellist)
- Ernst Nothdorft (German Painter)
- Peder Nothdorft (Norwegian Historian)
- Christian Nothdorft (German Photographer)
- Alfred Nothdorft (German Freestyle Skier)
- William Nothdorft (British Biologist)
- Christiane Nothdorft (German Figure Skater)
- Jürgen Nothdorft (German Editor)
- Nina Nothdorft (Swedish Painter)
- Adam Nothdorft (American MMA Fighter)
- Frank Nothdorft (American Professional Golfer)