Surname Pfördtner - Meaning and Origin
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Pfördtner: What does the surname Pfördtner mean?
The last name Pfördtner is a German name derived from the Old German word “pforda” meaning “ford” or “river crossing.” The name suggests a family origin from a region where there was a river crossing, such as a bridge. In some cases, the name could be a place-name of a town or village located near a ford over a river.
The name Pfördtner is likely an occupational name as it implies someone who maintained a bridge spanning a waterway or who owned a business, such as an inn, at a bridge so is likely associated with transportation or trade.
The name Pfördtner is common in German-speaking countries, but is not found in other languages. It can be spelled slightly differently depending on the dialect such as Pfördener or Poertner. Today, the Pfördtner surname is found in the United States, Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Great Britain.
As families with the Pfördtner name immigrated to North America, they likely continued their relationships with family members in the old country as well as creating new connections in their new home. The Pfördtners likely served as links for families in the immigrant experience. Mail, news, business transaction, and immigration papers may have been carried back and forth between lands, which was an important service for the community.
The name Pfördtner carries with it a proud history of a family that maintained a bridge and helped many families transition to new lives in America.
Order DNA origin analysisPfördtner: Where does the name Pfördtner come from?
The last name Pfördtner is a fairly uncommon last name today, but it does originate in Germany. It is especially common in East Prussia, the former German province located on the south-eastern coast of the Baltic Sea.
The name itself is likely derived from the German word "Pförtner," which is the German for gatekeeper. It is possible that an ancestor of the Pfördtner family was a gatekeeper and thus the name has been around ever since.
Today, the majority of Pfördtners can be found in Germany, primarily in the East Prussian region. Germany is home to the largest population of Pfördtners and the last name is quite common in the country. In addition, there are some Pfördtners scattered throughout Europe, North America, South America, and Australia.
Given its German roots, it is not surprising that the Pfördtner name is quite uncommon outside of the German-speaking world. However, online databases of family history can help those looking to track down their Pfördtner ancestors from any part of the world. Through these resources, it is possible to trace one's family roots and make connections around the world.
Variations of the surname Pfördtner
The surname Pfördtner is a German last name that is believed to have originated in the area of Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. It is believed to be a topographic or habitation related name, which implies that it was given to families who lived in an area near a ferry terminal. The variants or alternate spellings of this surname include Pfoerdner, Pfordner, Pförtner, Pfortner, Pförder, and Pforderer.
The surname Pfördtner can also be found in other countries, as there are many immigrants who have taken the surname to other regions. In Sweden, the name has been adapted to various forms, such as Pfordén, Pfordt, Pfordtman, Pfordtmann and Portner. In Switzerland, the surname can be written as Pfoerdli or Pförteli. In the Czech Republic, the surname has been changed to Pfordtner, Pfortner, and Pförtner, among others.
In Austria, it is also possible to find the name spelled as Fördtner or Pfördner. The variants of the name Pfördtner are found in other countries as well, with variations in spelling and pronunciation. In France, one may come across the spelling Pforden or Pfordent. In the Netherlands it is regularly found as Förden, Frodten or Fördtner, and in the United States as Pfordtner or Fortner.
There are several related surnames in the same origin as Pfördtner, including Pfordten, Pfordtman, Fördten, Frodten, and Pfortten. All of these surnames share the same geographic and habitation related origins as Pfördtner, and it is likely that historically they originated from the same area in Germany.
Famous people with the name Pfördtner
- Gudrun Pfördtner, a noted German actor.
- Tobias Pfördtner, a German professional beach volleyball player.
- Wolfgang Pfördtner, a German ice hockey player.
- Bernhard Pfördtner, a former member of the German Bundestag.
- Alexander Pfördtner, a German politician and the chairman of the Free Democratic Party of Lower Saxony.
- Julius Pfördtner, a German rower.
- Ursula Pfördtner, a German theater and television actress.
- Max Pfördtner, a former German football player.
- Eberhard Pfördtner, a former West German Grand Prix motorcycle racer.
- Ingo Pfördtner, a German footballer.