Surname Purkhart - Meaning and Origin

Purkhart: What does the surname Purkhart mean?

Purkhart is a German surname derived from the Old German word purchen, which means 'piglet'. It is thought to refer to someone who raised or kept pigs, a profession that was common throughout much of Germany's history. Other theories suggest that the name refers to a descendant of someone who lived near a pigsty, or that it referred to an individual with a notably pig-like disposition.

In modern times, the family name is still common in many parts of Germany as well as other German-speaking countries such as Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. It is also used in other parts of Europe, mainly in France and the United Kingdom.

In general, the surname Purkhart is associated with strong values, reliability and stability. Those who carry it may base their identity on a long history of hard work, loyalty, and stability. Family values are important, and the Purkharts are known as honest, trustworthy, and upstanding citizens. They may be viewed as being practical, conscientious, and reliable, and often have a deep sense of responsibility.

Bearers of the surname Purkhart are typically proud of their heritage and value the importance of family. The unique signature of the surname has allowed generations of Purkharts to carry its legacy through the years, and provides a sturdy base from which its members can build their lives.

Purkhart: Where does the name Purkhart come from?

The last name Purkhart can be found in many countries around the world today. It is thought to have originated in Germany or Austria. In Europe, the Purkhart surname is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

Within the United States, the surname is especially popular in southern and midwestern states like Indiana, Ohio, and Iowa. Additionally, due to the historical wave of German immigration to the United States in the 19th century, those with the last name Purkhart can be found in other parts of the country, particularly along the East Coast.

Outside the United States and Europe, the Pfurkhart family name is especially popular in South America, especially in Argentina and Brazil. According to some sources, the name first began to spread to Argentina and Paraguay during the mid-19th century, and it has continued to become more prevalent in the region since then.

The Purkhart surname is also becoming more common in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. According to statistics, some Canadian provinces, such as British Columbia and Alberta, have the highest concentrations of individuals with the last name Purkhart, followed by Australians in New South Wales and Victoria, and then on to New Zealand with the highest concentrations in Auckland and Christchurch.

Variations of the surname Purkhart

Purkhart is a surname originating from the German language, originating from the High German words "Pur" (meaning "fire") and "hart" (meaning "hard"), "Purkhart" is variously spelled and seen in other forms such as "Perkhart", "Perhart", "Pirkhar", or "Pirchhardt".

The Purkhart surname originated in Central Europe, most prevalently in the former lands of the Holy Roman Empire comprised of present-day Germany, Austria, and/or Switzerland. Purkhart can also be found in other regions such as those areas which had been strongly affected by German migration, such as former parts of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, or Slovenian regions.

Purkhart is one of many variants of the name, but spellings can range from the English-speaking world's adaptation of the German "Perkhart" to the more Slovenian "Pirkhar". The English-speaking version of the name also occasionally is seen in the versions such as "Perhart" or "Perkart", which also likely originate from German-speaking areas. Within Germany, the name has also been found in versions such as "Pirchhardt" or "Pirchheide".

Though it has mostly stayed within Central or Eastern Europe, the Purkhart surname can also be seen in America, Canada, and Australia and New Zealand due to 19th and 20th century German migration. The surname is still commonly seen throughout Germay, Austria, and Switzerland today.

Famous people with the name Purkhart

• Oswald Purkhart: an award winning Austrian painter and graphic artist associated with Vienna School of Fantastic Realism.
• Florian Purkhart: former ice hockey player who played two games in the American Hockey League for the Lake Erie Monsters.
• Jürgen Purkhart: a German former alpine skier who competed for West Germany in the 1968 and 1972 Winter Olympics.
• Adlof Purkhart: renowned Austrian architect and theoretician from the late 19th and early 20th century.
• Markus Purkhart: a former Austrian handball player who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics.
• Paul Purkhart: a German former sprint canoer who competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
• Christian Purkhart: a German former footballer who played for the Bundesliga club Karlsruher SC in the early 1990s.
• Peter Purkhart: an American jazz pianist in the bebop genre of jazz music.
• Karsten Purkhart: a former German rower who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
• Francois Purkhart: Belgian football player who played for FC Lokeren and Union Royal verviétoise.

Other surnames

Purkhardt