Surname Nortrup - Meaning and Origin
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Nortrup: What does the surname Nortrup mean?
The last name Nortrup seems to be of Germanic origin. It is believed to have been derived from the Old German elements “Nort” meaning “north” and “rupa” meaning “bend, curve.” This suggests that it may have originally been a geographical name denoting someone who lived at or near a north-facing bend or curve in a river.
The surname is quite uncommon and it may have been derived from the Old German word “nort” which was also the name of a river, giving rise to a patronymic surname meaning “son of Nort.”
The earliest recorded instances of the name date back to the late 17th century, when several members of a Nortrup family appeared in a tax record in Hessen, Germany.
In the United States, Nortrups settled in Pennsylvania, New York and Nebraska in the 19th century. By tracing their movements through US census records, it is possible to determine that they eventually ended up in California, Illinois and Texas.
Most people with the last name Nortrup have German roots, though it is also possible to find its surname in other parts of the world such as Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom.
In today’s society, the Nortrup surname is still recognized as a German name. It is associated with people who may have adventurous and restless personalities, as well as characters who are strong willed and determined.
Order DNA origin analysisNortrup: Where does the name Nortrup come from?
The last name Nortrup is most commonly found in Germany. According to a family name search, the surname Nortrup is believed to be of German origin and is found in relatively high numbers in northern Germany and even extends eastward to the Czech Republic.
The name has a rich history and is believed to have first appeared in Germany as early as the mid-13th century. Records show that the earliest mention of a Nortrup family was in 1293 when a Lutheran pastor named Simon Mathiter Nortrup was referenced.
Today, Nortrup is still found in relatively high numbers in the northern half of Germany, specifically in the states of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. It is also found in other parts of Europe, including the UK, Denmark, the Netherlands, and France.
Nortrup is an uncommon name when compared to more popular German surnames such as "Mueller" or "Schultz," and it is not widely found outside of Europe, with the exception of some immigrants who may have brought the name to the United States and Canada.
Variations of the surname Nortrup
The Nortrup surname is a habitational name derived from a place of the same name located in North Rhine-Westfalia in Germany. The locality itself was derived from the Old German word 'nord' meaning 'north', and 'trug' meaning 'track'.
The variants and spellings of this surname include Northrop, Norhtrop, Norcross, Nordtraup, Norderup, Northrup, Nordrop, Nerthrup, Nertrop, Nartrop and Nortrop.
Many of these variant spellings migrated to the countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand in the 19th and early 20th centuries, where they have become common surnames in those locations.
The principal Northrup American surname line appears to have been the northernmost English family in America, having been traced to Maryland in 1654. Over the following centuries Northrup descendants have rooted firmly throughout the United States, with large populations mostly residing in Maryland, Virginia and New York. The Northrup name appeared in Canada in the mid 18th century with figures such as Edmund Northrup and David Northrop traveling to the Great Lakes region.
Other Northrup descendants still resided in Germany and versions of the surname such as Norderup, Nordtraup and Nordrop are common family names within North Rhine-Westfalia.
Though the family has spread much further in recent centuries, with many Northrup families now living in countries such as Australia and New Zealand. However, the origins of this surname still remain rooted in Germany with many Northrup descendants personally visiting the area every year.
Famous people with the name Nortrup
- Sarah Norwood: Model, TV present, writer and author
- Mason Nortrup: American Pianist
- Nathan Nordstrum: Politician from Minnesota
- Daniel Nordrup: Celebrity chef from Germany
- Kristopher Nortrup: Musician and composer from Minnesota
- Jacob Nortrup: Football player
- Maria Nortrup: Olympic skier
- Eugene Nortrup: Entrepreneur and co-founder of a digital media as well as marketing company
- Jaeger Nortrup: Professional snowboarder
- Amelia Nortrup: Actress and dancer