Surname Purkert - Meaning and Origin
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Purkert: What does the surname Purkert mean?
The last name Purkert is of German origin and is derived from the German personal name 'Burchard', meaning 'strong protection'. The name was likely formed by combining the German prefix 'pur', meaning 'clean' or 'undiluted', with the German element 'kert' meaning 'strength/defence'. It's likely that the original meaning of the surname was to express a union of pure-strength or pure-protection.
The Purkert surname is especially common in the German states of Bavaria, Saxony, and Thuringia, as well as in certain parts of Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. The earliest recorded use of this surname is from around the fifteenth century, making it one of the oldest surviving surnames from this region.
Today, the Purkert surname continues to be common in many parts of Germany and beyond. It is a firmly established surname with a distinguished pedigree and is often associated with an air of stability, reliability, and proud traditions. In many areas, the Purkert name is seen as a potent symbol of strength, courage, and trustworthiness.
Order DNA origin analysisPurkert: Where does the name Purkert come from?
The last name Purkert is most common today in Germany, where it originated. It is especially concentrated in the German states of Bavaria, Saxony, Brandenburg, and Thuringia. In Germany, it is believed that the surname Purkert originated in the 12th century, so families with this surname are likely to be from the same ancestral line.
Outside of Germany, Purkert is also a fairly common name in the Czech Republic, particularly the Hradec Králové Region. It is also present in France, Netherlands, Australia, and the United States. However, it is much less common than in Germany.
It is believed that people who carry the surname Purkert probably originated from small villages in the region between the Stettin (now the city of Szczecin in Poland) and the Elbe River in Germany. The oldest known record of the surname is recorded in the year 1292, when a Hans Purkert was named in the Bavarian Bohemian Borders region.
The surname is thought to be derived from the German word “purgerer” which literally translates to a “clearer”. This implies that family members may have been responsible for clearing land of trees and brush in order to create pasture.
Today, Germany still has the highest concentration of people with the last name Purkert. However, it is estimated that the total number of people with this surname is around 1,500 worldwide, with the majority living in the United States.
Variations of the surname Purkert
The surname Purkert is an occupational name typically indicating a person who was a leader or builder of castles or fortifications. This surname has various spellings and variants common around the world. In German, it is spelled Burgert or Burghert. In Czech, it is Boháč or Puchárek. In Polish, it is Bierkert or Borkert. In Dutch, it is Burger or Borgers. In English and Irish, it is often spelled and said as Burgert. In Italian, it is Borghetti or Borghi. In French, it is Bourgeois.
In terms of surnames derived from the same origin as Purkert, there are many. The most common are Berg, Bergen, Berger, Burg, Burger, Burgher, Burghert, Burgmann, Burk, Burgmann, Burghard, Burkhart, Berghoff, and Bergman. Similarly, there are other surnames derived from the same origin, such as Borkhof, Borgula, Burggraf, Borgwardt, Burkhart, and Borgmann. Similarly, in some regions, the variants could be from an Anglicized version, such as Burgess, Burkins, Purkis, and Purks.
All of these surnames can be traced to their common origin as a person who built or ran fortifications, castles or other similar structures. Nonetheless, some of the variants and spellings may have become slightly different from the original name over time.
Famous people with the name Purkert
- Arno Purkert: A German classical philologist and librarian.
- Oskar Purkert: A German physicist and philosopher.
- Robert Purkert: A Czech Jewish classical philologist, historian and literary critic.
- Václav Purkert: A Czech political commentator and activist.
- Johann Purkert: A German businessman and founder of the Purkert Company.
- Oldřich Purkert: A Czech writer and poet.
- Henry Purkert: A Polish-born American physicist and professor.
- Michael Purkert: A German entrepreneur and CEO of the Purkert Group.
- Eric Purkert: A Canadian ophthalmologist and Professor at the University of Alberta.
- Richard Purkert: A Polish-born American engineer and professor.