Surname Burchartz - Meaning and Origin
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Burchartz: What does the surname Burchartz mean?
The last name Burchartz is a locational name used to describe somebody from a German town or region called Burchartz or Burscheid, located in eastern Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia. The name likely derives from two words - 'burc', a German word for 'castle' or 'fortress', and 'schilt', meaning 'shield'. Thus the name Burchartz could mean a 'fortified castle' or a 'shielded fortress'.
The region of Burscheid was first mentioned in the year 704, when it was under the rule of the archbishop of Cologne. Later during the Middle Ages the region was owned by noble families and even after the Thirty Years' War, Burscheid managed to keep its autonomy. During the 19th century Burscheid's industrialization saw an increase in population and an influx of workers from other areas of Germany, increasing the diversity of the inhabitants.
Having originated in this region, the last name Burchartz is now scattered all over the world and its meaning has become more generalized, simply referring to its geographical origins. In the world today, the name Burchartz is still carried by descendants of families from Eastern Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia, and those who are attracted to the stories of the people who have passed the name down throughout history.
Order DNA origin analysisBurchartz: Where does the name Burchartz come from?
The last name Burchartz is most commonly found in Germany today. It is thought to have originated in the Rhineland-Palatinate region, particularly in the municipalities of Flonheim and Nieder-Olm, where many early variations of the name can be found. It is also scattered across many other German states such as Hessen, Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, and Rheinland-Pfalz.
The Burchartz surname is also found in the United States, but is much less common than in Germany. Here, it is mainly concentrated in the Midwest and Middle Atlantic regions of the country, with a few small pockets in other larger cities. It is thought to be a relatively recent addition to the US population, as the first known Burchartz to arrive in America took the voyage in 1882 and settled in Illinois.
Given the Germanic origin of the name, it is likely that most variants are related to the original Burchartz family from Rhineland-Palatinate. As such, this surname is still a fairly rare one in many other locations, including countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, as well as all the Scandinavian nations. It is, however, likely that a small number of afflicted families may be found in some of those locations as well.
Variations of the surname Burchartz
The variants, spellings, and surnames related to Burchartz all stem from the same German and Old French origin. This surname is most commonly found in Germany, France, and other European countries like England, Finland, and Sweden.
The variants and spellings of the surname Burchartz can be Burchard, Burchardt, Buerchard, Buerchardt, Burchart, Burckhardt, Birc-hard, Birckhardt, and Burcschartz.
The surnames that have a similar origin are Burg, Berger, Bergier, and Birke. These four surnames are all related to the Germanic personal name Burgheri, which comes from the composition of the words "burg", meaning "fortress", and "hari", or "warrior" in Old High German.
In England, the surname Burchartz was likely derived from the Old French word Burchard, meaning "strong in his fortress"; this could have been used as an occupational name for somebody who was a builder of castles, or a hereditary name for people who held fortresses or lived in fortified dwellings.
In France, the surname Burchartz likely originated from the Germanic personal name Burgheri, as it contains the same elements as the French name Burchard. In France, it was often used as a nickname for somebody who was a brave warrior or strong in battle.
In Sweden and Finland, the surnames Burchartz, Burchard, and Burchardt are derived from the Old Swedish name Burckhardt, which contains the compound "bur", meaning "town", and "hart", meaning "hard" or "strong". This name was most likely used as a nickname to indicate a person who was strong and brave in battle.
Famous people with the name Burchartz
- Edgar Burchartz, German Composer
- Mark Burchartz, American Political Operative
- Lary Burchartz, American Architect and Contractor
- Donald Burchartz, American Entrepreneur and Businessman
- Ute Burchartz, German Film Actress
- Eva Burchartz, German Television Actress
- Wallace Burchartz, American Film Director
- Sean Burchartz, American Actor
- Martha Burchartz, German Art Director and Radio Producer
- Damian Burchartz, American Music Producer and Singer
- William Burchartz, British Architect
- Andrew Burchartz, American Record Producer
- Colin Burchartz, British Sportscaster
- Jack Burchartz, American Football Coach
- Joe Burchartz, Canadian Boxer
- Erwin Burchartz, German Professor
- Wilhelm Burchartz, German Painter
- Lauren Burchartz, American Contemporary Artist
- Louis Burchartz, German Equestrian
- Kimberly Burchartz, American Designer and Television Producer