Surname Orth - Meaning and Origin
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Orth: What does the surname Orth mean?
The surname Orth is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German term "ort" which means "point" or "spike". This term was commonly used to refer to someone living at the top or end of something, such as a village or a street, or near a prominent point or landmark in the landscape like a mountain peak or a sharp turn in a river. Apart from location, it could also have been used as an occupational name for someone who makes tips for arrows or spears. Over time, the term evolved into a surname. Besides Germany, variations of this surname can be found in other German-speaking countries like Austria and Switzerland. Because of migration, this surname can also be found in the United States and other parts of the world.
Order DNA origin analysisOrth: Where does the name Orth come from?
The surname Orth is of German origin. The name was initially derived from the Middle High German term "ort," which can mean "point" or "corner." Therefore, the last name Orth was possibly a topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent corner or angular feature in the landscape. Alternatively, it could have been a locational surname given to people from any of several places named with this word in Germany.
Today, Orth is prevalent in Germany, the United States, and to a lesser extent, in Austria. In the United States, people with the surname Orth are majorly concentrated in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and California. Though it isn't an extremely common surname, you will find individuals carrying the last name Orth all across the globe.
Variations of the surname Orth
The surname Orth has origins in Germany, and it's a topographic name derived from Middle High German word "ort," meaning "point" or "angle." Therefore, those with this surname likely originally lived near a significant landmark reference point or a bend, such as a mountain, river, or road. Besides that, it might also refer to people who lived on a tip or end of the village or town.
Variants of the surname Orth may include Ort, Oorth, Orrth, Ohrt, and Ohrth. There may also be variations based on pronunciation or regional dialects. Despite the basic sound being relatively straightforward, different regions in Germany might have spelled it differently based on their own language quirks.
Related surnames include Orthmann, which combines "Orth" with the old Germanic "man" meaning "man," probably used for someone who originated from the geographical point "orth." Another related surname is Ortmann, a variation of Orthmann. Further, Orthner and Ortenberg are two surnames that begin with "Orth" or "Ort" suggesting some connection. However, they may not have the same origin, as they could be derived from different geographic features or locations.
It's also worth noting that Orth is an uncommon surname, which could mean less dispersion and therefore fewer variations.
Famous people with the name Orth
- Annie Orth: World Championship Slalom Skier from Portland, Oregon.
- Jake Orth: American professional ice hockey forward.
- Harry Thornton Orth: American sculptor from the Rhode Island school of Design.
- Lorrin Orth: American politician and member of the Hawaii Senate.
- Evan Orth: Actor on the Nickelodeon TV show “Henry Danger”.
- Robert Orth: American bass with the Santa Fe Opera and the Metropolitan Opera.
- Toni Orth: American actress best known for making appearances on Saturday Night Live.
- Andreas Orth: German film director and screenwriter.
- Thomas Orth: German documentary filmmaker and researcher from Hamburg.
- Robert Orth: American football player for the San Francisco 49ers.