Surname Marquard - Meaning and Origin
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Marquard: What does the surname Marquard mean?
The last name Marquard is of German origin and is derived from the word markward meaning “guard of the border”. A markward was a medieval German reeve employed to guard a particular border or area. The name could also be derived from a contracted form of Makar, the German word for “king” or “lord”, with -ward being an occupational or inherited name indicating that a Marquard was either a servant of a noble house, or a descendant of one.
The earliest documented use of the name Marquard dates back to the 14th century in Germany and Austria. Over time, alternate spellings of the name began to arise such as Marquardt, Marquardte, and Marquardth, which were predominantly used in Northern Germany. Today, Marquard is a common name in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and other German-speaking countries in Europe.
Marquard is a strong and proud surname that is often seen to represent strength and power. It is a powerful last name that has been upheld for centuries, largely on account of its history and importance in early Germanic culture. As with many other Germanic surnames, Marquard carries with it a long history of tradition and meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisMarquard: Where does the name Marquard come from?
The last name Marquard is most commonly found in German-speaking countries, primarily in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. It may also be seen in other countries with German-speaking populations, such as Liechtenstein and Luxemburg. In the United States, the most commonly concentrated areas of the Marquard surname are in Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska. It is also seeing a recent surge in the counties of Berks, Lancaster, and Lebanon in Pennsylvania.
Generally speaking, the surname Marquard is believed to have originated in the Germanic region of Switzerland. It is thought to be derived from the German word "marcward," meaning "guard of the border," referring to a soldier of the Swiss military who served as a frontier guard.
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, more and more members of the Marquard family slowly began to migrate to different places around the world. However, the name can still be found in various parts of Europe and elsewhere today. Although exact numbers are hard to come by, the Marquard name is quite common overall, particularly in countries with links to German-speaking culture from military or economic factors.
Variations of the surname Marquard
The surname Marquard is a German variation of the Old and Middle High German name Marcher. It is derived from the German word marchi meaning “horseman” or “rider.” The spelling of this surname can vary, with alternate spellings being Marquart, Marquerd, Marquarard, Marquerdt, Marquartt, Marqard, Marcard, Marcart, Markard, Marcardt, Marcartt, Marckard, Marckardt, Markkardt, Marcquard, Markard, Markhard, Markar, Marko, Marchard, Marchett, and Marchart.
Variants of the surname can also occur depending upon regional and linguistic differences. For example, it can change to Mahrkarg, Mahrkard, Mahrkart, Mahrkerd, Mahrkerdt, Melker, Meșker, or όMesker in Central and Eastern European languages like Slavic, German, Polish, and Hungarian.
Due to the migration of people in the last few centuries, the surname Marquard can also be found in countries around the world. It is sometimes altered to surnames like Maquar, Maqar, Mecard, Mecarod, Mecardo, Maquard, Maquinardi, Maquarri, and Macarod.
The ancestry of the surname Marquard can be traced back to the ancient city of Magdeburg in Germany. It is believed that the first Marquards were members of the Magdeburg Royal Family, who chose the surname to symbolize their noble roots.
The ancient history of this surname's spelling, and many of the current variants, are evidence of its transition throughout the centuries. In more recent times, it has become a familiar surname among countries around the globe, making its mark on immigrants and their descendants.
Famous people with the name Marquard
- Mark Marquardt: Actor and Producer
- Moritz Marquardt: Professional Cyclist
- Annabella Marquardt: Former Senior Vice President for Global Sales and Operations at Oracle Corp
- Hertha Marquardt: German Olympic Gold Medal Winning Equestrian
- Dieter Marquardt: Actor and Filmmaker
- Max Marion Marquardt: American Politician
- Emil Marquardt: German Climbing and Ski Mountaineer
- Oskar Marquardt: German Racing Driver
- John Marquardt: American Zoologist
- Franz Marquardt: Austrian Actor
- Erich Marquardt: German Scientist
- Arthur Marquardt: German Merchant and Humanitarian
- Lucy Marquardt: German Stage Actress