Surname Degenhardt - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
Degenhardt: What does the surname Degenhardt mean?
The last name Degenhardt is of German origin and is an occupational surname meaning "one who makes daggers." The first known ancestor bearing this surname was Hans Detghener, who was born in 1512 in the Bavarian city of Altdorf. It is thought that the inhabitants of this region adopted surnames during the Middle Ages to identify and distinguish between families.
The name is still found throughout Germany and in areas once controlled by Germany. It is also found in other parts of the world, where people from Germanic countries, such as the United States and Canada, have emigrated over the centuries.
The name Degenhardt has a strong connection to its definitive meaning of dagger-maker or forger, which is a clear reflection of a long-held tradition in Germany. Nurturing a passionate and deeply rooted sense of independence, the Degenhardt's held the skilled craftsmanship of making weapons in high esteem. In modern Germany, the name is associated with qualities like hard work and perseverance.
Generally, the Degenhardts are a proud family with a strong sense of tradition and heritage and they value their identity as independent craftsmen and entrepreneurs. The sense of pride that the Degenhardt family has is echoed in the strong connection to the family name and its proud history.
Order DNA origin analysisDegenhardt: Where does the name Degenhardt come from?
The last name Degenhardt is most common in Germany, where it is ranked as the 265th most common surname. It is also a common surname in countries with Germanic populations, such as the United States, Canada, and Brazil. The origin of the name is German, and it is most likely derived from the Old German Degenhardt, meaning “valiant with a sword.” The surname is more commonly seen in western Germany, particularly among the cities of Frankfurt, Cologne, Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart, and Munich. In America, the surname is most commonly seen in California, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.
The surname today also extends to other countries, such as South Africa, Honduras, Chile, England, and Australia. In South Africa, the surname is considerably more popular due to German immigrants arriving in the early 1900s, and today nearly 500 Degenhardts live in this country. In Honduras, the surname is significantly more popular due to German immigrants arriving as early as the 1700s, and today nearly 2,000 Degenhardts reside in the country.
Overall, the surname Degenhardt today is seen in many different countries around the world, mainly due to German immigration throughout the centuries. Today, the surname is seen in Germany, the United States, South Africa, Honduras, England, Australia, Canada, Chile, and Brazil.
Variations of the surname Degenhardt
The surname Degenhardt is commonly found in Germany, where it is thought to have originated. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Degandt, Degenhart, Degenhard, Degner, Degnerat, Degneratz, Degen Urb, Degeneur, Degenhardt, Denhardt, Dengenhardt, and Degendaer.
The surname Degenhardt is rooted in the middle high German degen, meaning “sword.” As such, the various spellings and surnames of the same origin are derived from its meaning as well.
Degandt is a variation of the surname Degenhardt, derived from the Middle High German degen meaning "sword."
Degenhard is derived from the Middle High German degen meaning "sword," combined with the German hard, meaning "hard, strong."
Degen Urb was given to one with the same Blueberry surname as someone living in Urb, Germany.
Degenerat and Degneratz are derived from the Middle High German degen meaning "sword," combined with the German ratz meaning "rat," a derogatory term for cowardice.
Degenerur, as its spelling suggests, is the German version of the surname Degenhardt.
Degenhardt is the original version of the surname, most commonly found in Germany.
Denhardt is derived from the German den meaning “the,” and the middle high German degen meaning “sword.”
Dengenhardt is an alternate spelling of the surname Degenhardt, derived from the Middle High German degen meaning “sword.”
Degendaer is derived from the Middle High German degen meaning “sword” combined with the German daer, meaning “the.”
Famous people with the name Degenhardt
- Jenny Degenhardt: a renowned Canadian composer and performer who has written for ensembles and soloists throughout Canada, the United States, and Europe.
- Wilhelm Degenhardt: a famous German geologist and geographer, best known for his work in the field of mining geology.
- Joseph Degenhardt: a prominent missionary to India who served as President of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society from 1917 to 1923.
- Franz Degenhardt: a well-known German poet, playwright, and novelist, and one of the most influential figures in the post-war New Left.
- Thomas Degenhardt: a popular German painter and sculptor whose works are prominently on display in galleries and museums across Europe.
- Waltraud Degenhardt: a trailblazing German cinematographer and documentary filmmaker, actively working up to her death in 2018.
- Diana Degenhardt: an internationally-known Argentine architect whose designs feature heavily in Buenos Aires and other major cities around the world.
- Ulrich Degenhardt: a celebrated German theologian and professor of religion at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg.
- Carl Degenhardt: a critically acclaimed Austrian painter who gained notoriety for his portraits of notable personalities in Vienna and beyond.
- Gianluca Degenhardt: a renowned Italian anthropologist and professor at the University of Turin, actively researching issues of ethnicity and identity.