Surname Pfortner - Meaning and Origin
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Pfortner: What does the surname Pfortner mean?
The last name Pfortner is of German origin and means "one who lives at a fortified gate or entrance". It was likely originally used as an occupational name for someone who worked in a security role at the entrance to a city, perhaps a soldier or guard. In the Middle Ages, many German cities and towns were fortified with thick walls and large wooden gates with a guardhouse or watchtower above it, and this could be the place where someone with the last name Pfortner lived or worked.
The Pfortner family likely gained their name from a fortified gate or entrance, and they may also have been known as the "keepers of the gate" or "gatekeepers," as they were responsible for the security of the city where they lived. As German cities and towns developed over the years, much of the old city walls and gates were removed and replaced by more modern construction, so the exact origin of the name may have become obscure over time. However, it is likely that the Pfortner family is descended from someone who lived or worked at a fortified city gate or entrance in the Middle Ages.
Order DNA origin analysisPfortner: Where does the name Pfortner come from?
The last name Pfortner is especially common in Austria and Germany today. It is believed to have originated in Bavaria, a region in southern Germany. As of 2018, there were approximately 75 people living within Germany with the surname Pfortner.
In Austria, the surname Pfortner is the 611th most frequent name. Birth records in the country show that the family has been present since at least the late 18th century. Census data from the small municipality of Dürnberg, Austria, indicates that at least 11 different households had this surname in the 19th century.
The surname is also present in the United States, Canada, and other countries worldwide, although it is much less common than in Germany and Austria. The largest number of Pfortner families in the U.S. is found in the state of Pennsylvania, with more than 4,200 individuals.
The etymological meaning of the surname Pfortner is unclear, but some researchers believe it may be derived from Middle High German words meaning “port” or “porter.” This term was likely used to refer to people who operated gates in a fortress or city wall. It is also possible that the name was used to denote a person who lived near a gate.
Variations of the surname Pfortner
The surname Pfortner has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. This German name has been derived from the Middle High German word 'portner', meaning 'gate keeper'.
Common spelling variants of Pfortner include Porfner, Poerfner, Pförfner, Pförner, Pförster, Pförtner, Purfner, Pfortner, and Pfortneur. Variations of the Pfortner surname include Portner, Pfirtner, Pfñrtner, Poftner, Powtner, Poftner, and Portneur.
In addition to the variations in spelling, there are also several surnames which have derived from the original German term 'portner'. These include Pfort, Pforth, Pfoorth, Pfoorth, Pforte, Port, Porta, Porat, Portman, Pointner, Pontner, and Pantner.
The name Pfortner is primarily found throughout Germany, Austria, and the Alps. While primarily concentrated in Germany, the name has spread to several neighboring countries, such as the United States and Canada. In more modern times, the Pfortner surname has spread even further, to areas in the United Kingdom and Australia.
Overall, the surname Pfortner has a number of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. In modern times, the name has spread beyond Germany and can now be found in many different countries around the world.
Famous people with the name Pfortner
- Susana Pfortner: Susana Pfortner is an Argentinian actress. She is best known for her roles in various Latin American television programs, films and theater productions.
- Axel Pfortner: Axel Pfortner is a German sports medication doctor, who is especially well-known for his long-term involvement with the German national football team.
- Martin Pfortner: Martin Pfortner is a retired German physician who is known as the inventor of the Registry Machine, which allowed doctors to quickly file patient information and health records.
- Peter Pfortner: Peter Pfortner is a German politician from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), who currently serves in the German Bundestag.
- Heinrich Pfortner: Heinrich Pfortner was a German copperplate printer in Augsburg in the 19th century. He was a leader of the decorative printing movement of the time.
- Richard Pfortner: Richard Pfortner is an Austrian fashion designer who is best known for his custom made evening clothing for both men and women.
- Hans-Georg Pfortner: Hans-Georg Pfortner is a German philosopher and Christian theologian who has written extensively on Christian spirituality, church history, and methodology in theology.
- Hermann Pfortner: Hermann Pfortner was an Austrian chemist and engineer who served in both World War I and World War II in the production side of military planes.
- Donald Pfortner: Donald Pfortner is an American professor of organ performance, music theory, and church music, who is especially well-known for his vocal and choral works.