Surname Oelgardt - Meaning and Origin
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Oelgardt: What does the surname Oelgardt mean?
The last name Oelgardt is of German origin, and it is derived from the Middle High German word “garde,” which means “guard” or “ward.” As such, the Oelgardt name originally referred to someone who was in charge of a guard tower or ward in medieval Germany. This name is especially common in the northern state of Lower Saxony, and it is one of the oldest recorded surnames in the country.
The family name likely originated with someone who not only guarded an area, but also managed its operations. This may have been a job that was passed down through the generations, which is why it became a distinctive family name. It also suggests that the Oelgardt family provided an important service to the local lord, whether through military service or other means.
The root word of Oelgardt, “garde,” also has connections to gardening and outdoor work, but it is unclear if this played any part in the origin of the family name.
Despite its German roots, “Oelgardt” is not an exclusively German name. It is also found in the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Poland, and even the United States. The Oelgardt family is connected to the greater German diaspora, which is reflected in its global distribution.
In summary, the surname Oelgardt is most likely derived from the Middle High German word “garde,” which means “guard” or “ward.” This suggests that the family held a prestigious role in their hometown, most likely providing services as guards, wardens, or land managers. The name is still common today in Germany, but it is also found throughout Europe and the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisOelgardt: Where does the name Oelgardt come from?
Oelgardt is a very rare surname, with records of it only turning up in a few isolated parts of Europe. The name is a patronymic surname, taking its origin from the given male name ‘Oel’.
The earliest record of the name dates back to the late 13th century in what is now Germany, where a document from 1297 records the existence of an individual called Jacob Oelgardt. During the Middle Ages, Oelgardt was a widely used surname in the area around the Elbe river in central Germany including Saxony and the former state of Westphalia.
The name Oelgardt is primarily found in the Netherlands today, with the highest concentration being in the province of Gelderland. An alternate spelling, Oelgolving, is also found in this area.
The surname is rare in other parts of Europe too, although it does have small pockets of bearers in Belgium, Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom. Its presence in the UK is due to migration or birth from Europe, particularly from the Netherlands. Records of the name have been found in the United States too, mainly in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, hinting at possible Dutch or German migrants in the past.
In short, the last name Oelgardt is generally most common in the Netherlands and in small areas of other parts of Europe. It also appears to be present in a few parts of North America due to past migration.
Variations of the surname Oelgardt
The surname Oelgardt is of German origin, and its variants and spellings in other languages include:
Ölgärt (Swedish)
Oelgart (English)
Oelgarthe (Dutch)
Oelgaard (Danish)
Oelgaerd (Norwegian)
Oelgate (Scottish)
Oelgrath (American)
Uelgan (Greek)
Ölgård (Icelandic)
Oelgard (Polish)
Oelgratt (Italian)
Oelgerd (Irish)
The surname Oelgardt can also be found in many other forms, such as Oelgart, Oelgaert, or Oelgerdt.
Other surnames derived from the original include Oelgard, Oelgarden, Oelgarde, Oelgarden, Oelgardi, Oelgardt, Olgard, and Olgaard.
In addition to the various spellings and variants, there is a less common variant of the surname, Oelgarthe. This version is mainly found in Dutch-speaking countries, such as the Netherlands.
In some cases, Oelgardt may also be found as Oellgard, Oellgardt, Oellgardte, Oellgarde, Oellgarden, Oellgardi, Oelrard, Uelgerrs, Uelgaert, Uelgaerdt, Uelgaerts, Uelgard, Uelgarde, and Uelgardt.
Despite the variety of spellings and variants, the name Oelgardt is thought to share a common origin with many other related surnames. Surnames that are believed to be derived from the same ancestor as Oelgardt include Oelgart, Oelgaert, Uelgerrs, Uelgaerd, Olgard, Olgaard, Oelgate, Oelgrath, and Uelgaerdt.
Famous people with the name Oelgardt
- Almy Oelgardt: American visual artist
- Joshua Oelgardt: CEO and owner of Oelgardt Capital Partners, LLC.
- William Oelgardt: American Lieutenant-General in the United States Army.
- Rosemarie Oelgardt: German equestrian, doctor and author.
- Sue Oelgardt: New Zealand-born Australian flautist.
- Simon Oelgardt: German singer-songwriter and requirer.
- Gilbert Oelgardt: simulation and training specialist.
- Lida Oelgardt: Second World War American soldier.
- Roger Oelgardt: American Modernist-style painter.
- Craig Oelgardt: Irish-born Australian flautist and composer.