Surname Weinhard - Meaning and Origin
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Weinhard: What does the surname Weinhard mean?
The last name Weinhard is a German surname that can be traced back to the times of the Medieval period. The literal translation of the name is “vineyard hard,” derived from the Old High German words “Wein” meaning vineyard and “hart” meaning hard, tough or solid. It is likely that the name was initially borne by someone who worked in a vineyard and was a “hard worker”, or known to be reliable and strong in character and spirit.
The name spread throughout Europe following the Great Migration and eventually made its way to the United States sometime in the 18th-19th centuries. Throughout the centuries, the name has seen variations such as Weinhardt, Weinhard, Van Weinharden and Weihard. Despite these modifications, the original meaning and heritage associated with the name has remained the same.
The symbol linked to Weinhard is the oak tree, as this tree is a symbol of strength, courage and stability. Those with this name are therefore often considered to be strong, reliable and solid - with the oak tree being a reflection of these signifying values. Traditionally, they are known to be people that don’t back down from a challenge and value traditional morals and values.
Overall, the surname Weinhard is a proud reflection of the hard-working and reliable nature of those who have borne the name itself over the centuries. The dedication and commitment upheld by those before them is engraved in the symbolization linked to the family name.
Order DNA origin analysisWeinhard: Where does the name Weinhard come from?
The last name Weinhard is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today. It is an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German Given name "Winhard", meaning "bold friend." Records show that the name first appeared in Germany in the mid 1500s.
The frequency of the surname is highest in Germany, where it ranks as the 5,553rd most common name. In Austria, it is the 4,211th most common name. It is also found throughout Central and Eastern Europe. The German diaspora has spread the name around the world, and today it can be found in North and South America, Australia, and other regions.
Popular musician and brewer, Henry Weinhard, was born in Germany in 1831, but immigrated to the United States at the age of 27. After making a name for himself in the brewing industry, he founded the Henry Weinhard Brewery in Portland, Oregon. This brewery was one of the first to be owned by a German-American and went on to become one of the most successful breweries of its time.
Today, there are multiple branches of the Weinhard family in the United States, including descendants of Henry Weinhard himself. There are also many other people bearing the Weinhard name scattered across in the world.
Variations of the surname Weinhard
The variants, spellings and surnames of Weinhard are Weihard, Weihardt, Weichard, Weichardt, Weinhardt, Weingard, Weingardt, Weingart, Weingarte, Weingert, Weingruber, and Weinhauer.
Weinhard is a German surname, derived from the Old German word "wein," which means wine. The word "hard" is a suffix used to denote that an individual has an affinity with a particular location or item (in this case, wine).
Weinhard is a very old and widely adopted name. It is a popular surname in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States.
The current spelling of the name, Weinhard, can be traced back to the Middle Ages. During this time, compound surnames with the first part being the trade of the family and the second part being a geographic descriptor came into fashion. Weinhard is no different, as it references an affinity with wine.
Despite being popular in German-speaking countries, the name became more widely used throughout Europe and the United States in the 19th century, with many immigrants from Europe anglicizing the name when they arrived in the United States to make it easier to spell and pronounce.
The various spellings of the name are all different variations of Weinhard, and are all derived from the same origin. No matter how the name is spelled, the origin is the same.
Famous people with the name Weinhard
- Karl Heinrich Leo Weinhard: Prussian politician
- Henry Weinhard: pioneering brewer from Oregon
- Fritz Weinhard: cousin of Henry Weinhard who also became a brewer
- Josef Weinhard: German sculptor and painter
- Leo Weinhard: late 19th century/early 20th century Austrian painter
- John Weinhard: 19th century engraver
- Heinrich Weinhard: Austro-Hungarian 19th century landscape painter
- Jost Weinhard: Swiss architect
- Dieter Weinhard: German sculptor
- Kurt Weinhard: 19th century/20th century German botanist