Surname Thorwart - Meaning and Origin
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Thorwart: What does the surname Thorwart mean?
The last name Thorwart is of German origin. It is an occupational surname derived from the Old High German words ‘thunr’ meaning 'thunder' and ‘wart’ meaning 'a protector', and so Thorwart can be translated to mean 'protector of thunder'.
People who are named Thorwart often come from families with ancestry who held posts of authority or power, such as archers, gate keepers, and even royal heralds. This could have been the occupation of the first person to take on the surname Thorwart or it could be connected to a Allan family crest, which features two crossed arrows.
Early recordings of the name in Germany suggest that the Thorwart family moved around quite a bit, making their way from Bavaria, to Prussia before ultimately settling in places like Austria, England, Ireland, and eventually the United States.
The Thorwart family is quite unique, not only because of their unusual name but also because of their interesting history and the fact that they have managed to stick together despite all the relocations over the centuries. As a result, the Thorwarts remain an interesting and important part of European history.
Order DNA origin analysisThorwart: Where does the name Thorwart come from?
The Thorwart surname is not particularly common in the modern day. If you search Patrick Thorwart on the white pages website (which searches the US phonebook), only 3 Thorwart's pop up. One lives in Florida, one in California and the other in Texas.
Generally people with the last name Thorwart have their ancestral roots in Northern and Central Europe. The Thorwart surname originated in Germany and can be found throughout other parts of Europe, such as France, Poland, and the Balkans.
It is likely that in the past the surname Thorwart was more popular and wide-spread, given the large amount of families that migrated to the United States in the 19th century. Other places with concentrations of people with the surname Thorwart include the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
It is possible that Thorwart families made their way to other parts of the world such as Mexico, Latin America, and some parts of Asia, at some point in history. However, due to lower migration rates in the modern day, there are fewer Thorwarts around the world than there were in the past.
If you have the surname Thorwart, you are most likely part of a small community of people with its roots in Germany and other parts of Northern and Central Europe.
Variations of the surname Thorwart
The Thorwart surname is a German name with several variations. It can be spelled Thuerwärth, Thuewärth, Tuwarrth, Turth, Thuerwart, Thorwarte, Thorwärth, Thorwert, Thorward, Thurwart, and Torwart. Each of these spellings are anglicized versions of the original German spelling.
Although each variation may be pronounced differently, they all ultimately mean the same thing - one who is a guardian. This is because the name originates from the Old German "thurh-werd," which is a combination of two words - "thurh" meaning shield or guard, and "werd" meaning keeper.
The Thorwart surname is no longer that common in Germany, however, there are still many people who bear the name in Germany and around the world. In the United States, it is most frequently found in the states of Pennsylvania and Ohio, and in Canada, mainly in Ontario and Quebec.
In addition to being a surname, the spelling of Thorwart can also be used as a first name in German speaking countries. A holder of this name might be referred to as Thorwart throughout their family or community. This spelling of the name is not as popular as the other variations, but is still used.
The Thorwart surname can also be found throughout Scandinavian countries such as Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. Here, the name is usually spelled as "Turth," "Thorwarte," or "Thuerwärth," which is a Germanized version. In Norway, there is a well-known athlete who bears this surname, named Harald Thorwart.
No matter the spelling, anyone with the Thorwart surname can be proud to be a part of a Germanic family tree with a strong and meaningful history.
Famous people with the name Thorwart
- Andreas Thorwart: a German professional basketball player currently playing with Skyliners Frankfurt in the Basketball Bundesliga.
- Jan Thorwart: a Dutch professional footballer who last played for the third tier Dutch club SC Cambuur.
- Johannes Thorwart: a German tennis player known for winning the men's doubles title at the 2020 German Open.
- Heiko Thorwart: a German television presenter and journalist best known for hosting the sports show “Sporting Alps”.
- Erich Thorwart: a renowned Austrian author, artist, and journalist, remembered for his writing about alpine culture and landscapes.
- Michael Thorwart: an American sculptor and illustrator whose work appears in museums and galleries around the world.
- Linda Thorwart: a German actress and producer who has appeared in several films and television series.
- Lawrence Thorwart: an American actor best known for his roles in the films Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club.
- Barbara Thorwart: a German-American psychologist and professor of counseling and educational psychology at the University of Arkansas.
- Erwin Thorwart: a German architect who designed the Kölnmesse in Cologne, Germany.