Surname Burchards - Meaning and Origin
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Burchards: What does the surname Burchards mean?
The surname Burchards is derived from the Middle High German word "burchard" or "bir(c)hhardt," which in itself is derived from the Middle Low German word "bir(c)k" which means "birch tree". This suggests that the name was originally bestowed upon someone with strong connections to the birch tree— either from living or working amongst them, or as a nickname.
The original meaning of the surname was derived from those who lived near or amongst birch trees, and more specifically referred to someone who was skilled in handling the birch trees; in the Middle High German era, this could have referred to someone who specialized in gathering resources from the birch tree, such as the bark, leaves, and wood. Over centuries, this meaning eventually shifted to implying more of a guardian or manager of the forests, with the Sanskrit ‘baha’ meaning ‘to protect.’
The name is believed to have first appeared in records in the 7th century, when the Burchards family were recorded in the Bavarian Village of Bad Burchard. By the 12th century, the name had spread across Europe, with records of the Burchards in France, Belgium, Germany, and England.
Today, the surname Burchards is not overly common in many parts of the world, but in places where the surname does exist, there is often a strong family connection that can be traced back to centuries of ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisBurchards: Where does the name Burchards come from?
The last name Burchards is most commonly found in German-speaking countries, primarily in Germany and Austria. According to surname distribution data released by the German institute for Genealogy, it is the 853rd most common last name in Germany. There are also pockets of Burchards families in other European countries such as the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Outside of Europe, the surname can also be found in North and South America, especially in the United States and Mexico.
In the United States, Burchards is an uncommon surname. Data from the US Census Bureau's 2018 American Community Survey suggests that there are fewer than 5,000 people in the United States with this last name. The majority of these individuals are concentrated in the Upper Midwest and central eastern United States, particularly in the states of Ohio, Iowa, and Illinois. There are also smaller clusters of Burchards families in the western points of the country, such as California, Oregon, and Washington.
This particular surname likely has its roots in southern Germany, where it is still the most common, and is thought to be derived from the Middle High German word 'burc', which means 'mansion'. Similarly, other variations of the last name, such as Bürcher or Bürk, have similar meanings and can also be found in German-speaking countries.
Variations of the surname Burchards
The surname Burchards has various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The most common spelling of the surname Burchards is also spelt as Burchard, Burkhart, Burkhardt, Börchhardt, Borchard, Borchardt, Boorchard, Boorchardt, Burkhard and Börchardt.
The origin of the surname Burchards can be traced back to the Middle Ages where the Germanic people began to adopt surnames. The surname Burchards originated from the Old High German word 'burc' which means a fortified house or castle. During that era, many people living along the Rhine were named with this term to represent their families as having taken up their residence in a fortified castle or house.
Over time, the surname Burchards evolved and was adopted by different families throughout Europe. These various altercations of the surname spread to other areas of Europe such as Ireland, Scotland, France, and the United Kingdom.
In addition, due to the emigration of many Europeans to the US and Canada in the 19th and 20th centuries, the surname has made its way to these countries as well. In the United States, many people with the surname Burchards have also adopted alternative spellings such as Bourchard and Boorchardt.
Given its long history and time-honored origins, the surname Burchards is an interesting one to trace as there are many variations in spelling that have been adopted by different families.
Famous people with the name Burchards
- Richard Burchards: An American actor best known for roles in the films The Frighteners (1996), The Nice Guys (2016), and Spring Breakdown (2009)
- Philip Burchard: A Swiss botanist who established pteridology as a scientific discipline
- Peter Burchard: An author and historian who wrote many books, including Zaccheus: The Saviour of Longwood and War Letters: Extraordinary Correspondence from American Wars
- Ida Burchard: A German actress who most notably appeared in the movie Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me? (1971)
- Moritz Burchard: A German portrait painter and lithographer who produced works for various German and Austrian universities
- Jacob Burchard: A noted 18th-century American silversmith who is most famous for his design of the United States Capitol door knockers
- Thomas Burchard: An American poet, songwriter, and musician known for songs such as “Dreams of Gold” and “A Time to Remember”
- John Burchard: A former American football defensive tackle who played for the San Diego Chargers in the National Football League