Surname Purkardt - Meaning and Origin

Purkardt: What does the surname Purkardt mean?

The last name Purkardt is German in origin and is derived from the personal name "Pürchardt" which itself is derived from the Latin "porcherius" meaning "pig keeper". This suggests that the original bearer of the surname was most likely employed in a position involving the keeping of livestock. It is likely that the name was adopted by members of the same family who resided near one another, either in the same village or region. This form of surname was particularly widespread from the late Middle Ages onwards, when people began to adopt hereditary family names in an attempt to distinguish themselves from others. It is believed that the Purkardt surname is found mainly in the German states of Bavaria and Hesse and may also be found in Austria.

It is possible that the Purkards have a long and varied history in German lands that goes back centuries. The surname also seems connected to the ancient German festivals of Kirchweih and Pfingsten, which are celebrated each year in Bavaria and Hesse. During these festivities, the Purkardt family probably enjoyed family reunions, sharing stories about their ancestors and what it meant to them to carry the Purkardt name.

The surname Purkardt may be a sign of resilience and determination for the family name, as well as providing an insight into the culture and history of German lands.

Purkardt: Where does the name Purkardt come from?

The last name Purkardt is most commonly found today in German-speaking countries such as Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. The exact origin of the name has been lost to time, but records suggest that it may have first appeared in the region of North Germany, in areas near the Western edge of the Baltic Sea, in the early 17th century.

The surname can be found in church records of the era, as well as records of land purchases in Prussia, where the family had relocated. It is believed that the family of Purkardt originally hailed from Saxony in central Germany. Over the centuries, the name has spread to other countries in Europe, North America, and even Australia.

The only place where Purkardt is still a common last name is in German-speaking countries, although records of individual immigrants from Germany with this name can be found in countries all across the world. Today, descendants of the original Purkardt family still exist in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and in many other countries around the world.

Variations of the surname Purkardt

The surname Purkardt is derived from two elements, the Germanic word pur, which means “daughter”, and the personal name Kardo or Kordo, which means “brave”. The name originated as a patronymic surname, which means it was created from the father’s first name.

The variants of Purkardt include Purkhardt, Purkert, Purkart, Purckard, Purcard, Purkar, Purkerdt, Purkard, and Perkard. Each variant evolved due to accents upon speech, or the variations of spellings found in official documents such as census records. They all essentially mean the same – a brave daughter.

Surnames derived from Purkardt include Purkard, Purkart, Purkhardt, Purkhart, Purkhert, Purckerd, Perkard, Perkart, Perkhardt, Perkhart, Perkhert, Perckerd, Percker, Purkardt. These all trace back to the original surname and have remained from the original spelling. They also remain closely related to the word pur, meaning daughter.

The surname Purkardt continues to be found around the world, mainly in German-speaking countries such as Germany and Austria. It’s also found in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, indicating that the surname has been spread to many other parts of the world.

Famous people with the name Purkardt

• Justus von Purkardt (1754-1846): German lawyer, hymn writer, and compiler of church songbooks
• Alexander Purkart (1881-1942): Austrian journalist
• Pauline Purkardt (1887-1918): German aviator and pioneering pilot
• László Purkárt (1915-1987): Hungarian boxer
• Stan Freberg (born Stanley Victor Purkart): American actor, comedian, writer, and record producer
• Rowena Purkard (born 1930): British photographer
• Friedo Purkard (born 1932): German politician
• George Purkard (born 1945): American photographer
• Karl Purkard (born 1948): Swiss sculptor
• Max Purkard (born 1954): German theologian

Other surnames

Purkart