Surname von der Hardt - Meaning and Origin
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von der Hardt: What does the surname von der Hardt mean?
The last name von der Hardt is a German name which originated from the Old High German words "hard" and "hart," meaning "hard" and "strong." It is believed to have originated from an aristocratic family who were respected as warriors, indicating strength and courage, and was likely derived from the Middle High German phrase "von Hard(e)" meaning "from the hard/strong family."
The von der Hardt family held a prominent position in German nobility, with many distinguished members throughout history. One of the earliest records of the name dates back to 1261, when Udo von der Hardt was listed as a witness in a will of the Count of Daun. During the 16th century, the "von der Hardts" were citizens of the Duchy of Westphalia, with noble members such as Jakob von der Hardt, mayor of Westphalia, and Hans Georg von der Hardt, an erudite scholar.
The von der Hardt family was particularly active during the 15th and 16th centuries, and various branches of the family spread throughout southern Germany. During this time, many of the von der Hardts served as courtiers, magistrates or provincial councilors, and also served as soldiers, merchants, miners, teachers, and brewers.
Although the von der Hardts have since spread all over the world, their original branch still exists in the Taunus district near Frankfurt. It is likely that the von der Hardts have stayed relatively close to their ties with the name indicating a hardworking and loyal spirit.
Order DNA origin analysisvon der Hardt: Where does the name von der Hardt come from?
The last name von der Hardt is commonly found throughout Germany, as well as in Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and the Netherlands. The first known recorded instance of the name appears as early as 1383 in the city of Glogau in Silesia. The von der Hardts were a prominent and influential family in Silesia, with several notable members.
In subsequent years, the von der Hardts spread out across Europe, first to other parts of Western and Southern Germany, then to Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. The surname is thought to have originated from the Knights of Hardt, a land-owning and aristocratic family.
In the modern age, the last name von der Hardt remains widely scattered across Europe and also around the world. It can be found in Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries. In Germany, many von der Hardts are still active in politics, business, and academia.
The name continues to be widespread due to both emigration and ongoing intermarriage between families across Europe. As the von der Hardts have intermarried, their name has become increasingly diluted, making it impossible to track the familial lines precisely. Today, the surname is a testament to centuries of history and resilience.
Variations of the surname von der Hardt
The surname von der Hardt is a German surname, which can be found in several countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, and the United States. The surname originates from a place known as Harz, located in Central Germany.
Variations of this surname include Hardt, von der Hard, van der Hard, Vanderhart, Vanderhort, Vandehardt, and Hart.
Von der Hardt is the German spelling, and is also often written as Von der Hard and Von der Hart. The Dutch version of the same name is written as Van der Hardt, Van der Hard, and Van der Hart.
Surnames with similar origins and spellings include Hartt, Vanhart, Verhart, Van Cordt, Van Harten, and Von Halden.
In the United States, the surname is often spelled with a hyphen as Von-Der-Hart and Van-Der-Hart.
The variants, spellings, and surnames that relate to the same origin as von der Hardt all share the same meaning: someone coming from a place named Harz.
Famous people with the name von der Hardt
- Kristin von der Hardt: German politician and Member of Parliament for the Free Democratic Party.
- Wolf von der Hardt: German aeronautical engineer and pioneer of early aircraft design.
- Emmy von der Hardt: German opera singer, silent film actress and voice teacher at the University of Bielefeld in Germany.
- Auguste von der Hardt: German musician, composer and music director.
- Ernest Gustav von der Hardt: German geologist and palaeontologist known for his contributions to the fossil record of German soil.
- Heinrich von der Hardt: German politician and diplomat, serving as German ambassador to Brazil and Chile.
- Leopold von der Hardt: German lawyer and jurist, specializing in civil and corporate law.
- Alexander von der Hardt: German diplomat, chief negotiator for the German Empire for the Treaty of Versailles and winner of the Pour le Mérite for his diplomatic services.
- Marlene von der Hardt: German businesswoman and entrepreneur, credited with creating the premier skincare line, PURE by Marlene von der Hardt.
- Emma von der Hardt: German author, poet and journalist, known for her books on German natural and cultural history.