Surname Günthör - Meaning and Origin
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Günthör: What does the surname Günthör mean?
The last name Günthör is a German surname believed to be of occupational origin, deriving from the Middle High German word ‘gunt,’ which means “war.” The original bearer of the surname likely held a duty such as a guard, warrior or military officer. In addition, the ‘-hör’ suffix likely indicates that the occupational role was one of a higher rank. The literal translation of the name is “warrior.”
Günthör can also be found occasionally as Gunthard, a rare form that arose in Switzerland. The surname can be found throughout the German-speaking world, primarily in Northern Germany in areas around the Rhine, although it is now common in all countries of the European Union. In the United States, the surname is most heavily concentrated in the states of Pennsylvania and Illinois.
The ancestry of the Günthör family is traced back to Northern Mediterranean origins through the use of genealogical records. As such, the family lineage can be traced back to medieval times, and even further, with the occupational role of warrior being the primary source of the surname.
The Günthör coat of arms features a white shield with a gold stag’s head above three gold stars. It is believed that this detail was meant to signify the traditional military-rank of the Günthör family, since the stag is often associated with nobility or a high rank in feudal times. The gold stars also likely symbolize excellence and valor, representing the lauded history of the Günthör family.
Order DNA origin analysisGünthör: Where does the name Günthör come from?
The last name Günthör is most commonly found in Switzerland and Germany today. It originated in Switzerland from the Canton of Glarus, where the family was recorded in the 12th century as Günder from Glarnur. The family were thought to have descended from the Lords of Glarus, and today there are several distinct branches of the Günthör family tree.
The Swiss branch of the family is one of the most noteworthy, descended from Heinrich Günder, Burgomaster of Berlin from 1478-1495. His descendants spread outwards across Switzerland over the following centuries, founding a line of barons and burgomasters.
In Germany, the Günthör family is now particularly prominent in the state of Bavaria, from which Friedrich Günthorr was first recorded in 1662. During the 18th century, the family established themselves in the court of Württemberg and became involved in the Hessian and Prussian estates.
Many of the Günthör family also moved to the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries, most notably Ernst Günthor, a German-American industrialist and one of the founders of the Anaconda Copper Mining Company.
Today, Günthör is a rare, but widely spread surname. Its descendants are found in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and the United States, with small pockets of Günthör professionals in other countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Günthör
Günthör is a surname of Swiss and German origin, most commonly found in the region of Central and Eastern Switzerland. The most commonvariants and spellings of the surname Günthör are Gunthor, Günther, Gunther, Guntherr, Gunthar, Guntherr, and Guntharr. These variants are all derived from the Germanic and Anglo-Saxon personal name Gundahar or Gunther.
The surname Günthör is also found with many different surnames indicating a similar origin. Common surnames of similar origins are Gonthard, Gauntard, Gauntarder, Geutard, Geuter, Geuttr, Gianthard, Gionard, Gunthard, Guntard, Guntzard, and Guntzert. Some of these variants are also found in varying dialects and regional languages such as French, English, German, and Swiss German.
In addition to the many variants, the surname Günthör is also found with a variety of different spellings. Common variant spellings of Günthör are Gantor, Guentor, Gunter, Günthor, and Günther. These variant spellings are mainly used in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Overall, the surname Günthör is a surname with many variants indicating Swiss and German heritage. As time has passed, this surname has spread and adapted to different regions and cultures, resulting in many variants and spellings found in the present day.
Famous people with the name Günthör
- Stefan Günthör: Swiss former decathlete and Olympic champion.
- Paul Günthör: Swiss former bobsledder, Olympic medalist, and world champion.
- Peter Günthör: Swiss former alpine skier and Olympic champion.
- Urs Günthör: Swiss former ski jumper and World Cup champion.
- Jürg Günthör: Swiss former alpine skier and World Cup champion.
- Marlies Günthör: Swiss former alpine skier and olympic champion.
- Claudia Günthör: Swiss former alpine skier and Olympic silver medalist.
- Urs Günthör: Swiss visual artist.
- Oscar Günthör: Swiss attorney and politician.
- Philipp Günthör: Swiss entrepreneur and former ice hockey player.
- Rudolf Günthör: Swiss former ski jumper and multiple world champion.
- Claudia Günthör-Schopf: Swiss figure skater and competitor in the 1992 Winter Olympics.
- Robert Günthör: Swiss former Alpine skier and Olympic gold medalist.
- Monica Günthör: Swiss former biathlete and World Cup champion.
- Helen Günthör: Swiss rower and participant in the Olympic games.