Surname Lonhard - Meaning and Origin

Lonhard: What does the surname Lonhard mean?

The last name Lonhard is of German origin and is an occupational name derived from the Latinized form of the German word, lonhēri, meaning a tiler or a tile layer. The term was used in the Middle Ages to describe a worker who laid tile floors and walls in buildings.

The history of the Lonhard name dates back to the 12th century when it was found in the records of the city of Heidelberg, Germany. The name is believed to have derived from an early ancestor of the family who worked as a tiling specialist. In those days, tiling was a craft that required skill and hard work, and so an individual with the last name was likely to have earned a decent living from the trade.

The name has remained rare over the centuries, although some variants have arisen. For instance, the spelling Lonhardt has been found in various locations throughout Germany, as well as Austria and Switzerland.

In more modern times, the surname Lonhard can still be found in many German families. The spelling has also evolved over time, and there are instances of Lonhardt and Lonardt in other parts of Europe.

Overall, the name Lonhard signifies hardworking and determined individuals who had a unique skill that was highly valued in the pre-industrial era. As one of the oldest German surnames, it stands as a reminder of the roots and origins of the German people.

Lonhard: Where does the name Lonhard come from?

The Lonhard surname is most commonly associated with Switzerland today and is thought to have originated there centuries ago. The traditional spelling of the name is “Lonhard” and the name is thought to have been brought to Switzerland in the 16th century by immigrants from the east. It is believed that the Lonhard family once resided in the region of Allgau, in the state of Bavaria in Germany.

The Lonhards are of Swiss-German descent, and the surname is still common in parts of Switzerland, including Zurich, Lucerne, Basel and Thurgau. The spelling of the name can sometimes vary, with variants such as Lohnhard, Lonharts and Lonhart being seen.

The Lonhard family members have a history of military service, with many serving in the Swiss military over the years. They were frequently sought after to join the international forces in both World Wars. Some members of the family have achieved a certain level of fame in Switzerland too. For instance, Swiss singer and composer Pauline Lonhard had several successes in the 19th century.

It is thought that, outside of Switzerland, the Lonhard name is found in countries like Germany, France and Austria. There is a smattering of the surname in the United States, too, with pockets of the population concentrated in states like California, Oregon, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Variations of the surname Lonhard

The surname Lonhard is of German origin and is derived from the name Langard which means “long” or “tall.” The variants of the surname Lonhard include Langhard, Langeler, Langhauer, Langheide, and Langer, among many others.

The spellings of the surname Lonhard are often interchangeable. Variations include Lonhard, Langhard, Langard, and Langhardt. The spelling variations often depend mostly on the country of origin and which scripts were used to transcribe the name.

Apart from the variants and spellings, the surnames Lonhard and Langhard also have closely related names, such as: Langen, Lange, Langerman, Langenberger, Langes, Langheimer, Langmead, Langmeijer, Langmahl, and Langmead, among others.

In some countries like the United States, some of these surnames have been registered and pronounced differently. The surname “Lonhard” is sometimes registered as the surname “Lonhardt” or the name “Longan”.

No matter what the spelling variation is, the surname Lonhard is interconnected and of the same origin, and is connected to people of German ancestry.

Famous people with the name Lonhard

• Klaus Löhner: German former professional footballer who played as a defender for clubs including Bayern Munich and Schalke 04.
• Alwin Löhning: German military officer and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, a rare award presented to highly successful Nazi German military TM personnel during World War II.
• Henry Löhning: German Generalmajor and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II.
• Peter Löhning: German author, collector and movie maker.
• Claus Löhning: German politician who served as Chairman of the German Bundestag and as Minister of the Interior.
• Klaus Löhning: German footballer who had a 19 year career playing for clubs in the second division such as SSV Jahn Regensburg and SSV Reutlingen.
• Heiner Löhning: German politician and Member of the European Parliament.
• Frieda Löhning: German actress best known for appearing in the films Die Frage and Die Blutnacht.
• Alfred Löhning: German entomologist who was a leading authority on butterflies and moths.
• Bernd Löhning: German industrialist and major stakeholder in the company, Bobcat.

Other surnames

Lönhardt