Surname Mortar - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Mortar: What does the surname Mortar mean?
The last name Mortar is an occupational surname derived from the Latin word "mortarium," meaning mortar. In this context, a mortar is a container traditionally used to mix ingredients such as cement, plaster, and adhesives. This is established is some of the earliest records of the surname, which appear during the Middle Ages.
In the late medieval period, this surname was typically found in areas of France and Italy, although it spread through other parts of Europe as well. During this time, it was mostly associated with tradesmen who worked in building and construction, mixing and applying mortar to stone and brick. It was also common for these tradesmen to pass down their occupation to their children, who then adopted the last name Mortar to signify their profession.
In the contemporary world, Mortar is among the most widely used surnames in Europe and many other parts of the world. It is particularly popular in English speaking countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia. Mortar is also the surname of a number of notable people, including former NBA basketball player Zendon Mortar.
Overall, the last name Mortar holds a rich history of tradesmen and craftsmen from many different countries. It is also a testament to the important role these unsung heroes played in the building of cities and societies for centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisMortar: Where does the name Mortar come from?
The surname Mortar is a common one found across the world today. It is mainly seen in parts of Europe, particularly in the Czech Republic, France and Germany. It is also seen in smaller numbers in England and parts of Scandinavia.
In France, the surname is most commonly found in the region of Brittany, with around 1,000 people using the Mortar name. In the Czech Republic and Slovakia it is seen mostly in Moravia, with approximately 1,875 people having the Mortar surname in that region. In Germany, the name Mortar is mainly located in the west of the country, particularly in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Wuerttemberg.
In countries including the United States, Canada and Australia, the Mortar surname is less common. In the United States there are an estimated 600 people who have the Mortar name, the majority of which are concentrated in the states of California, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Maryland.
In each of these areas, the surname Mortar is associated with a rich family heritage and generations of that family having lived in the same region. For those with the Mortar name, there is an important connection to their past which carries with them today.
Variations of the surname Mortar
The surname Mortar has a variety of spellings and surnames of the same origin.
Variations include Mortara, Mortario, Mortaru, Mortariello, Mortarella, Mortarino, Mortariano, and Mortarotti. These are some of the most common spellings, but there are others as well.
The name is derived from the Latin for “mortar” (mortarium). This is an essential building tool for mixing cement and other materials for construction. It’s believed to have been a common occupation amongst those who took on this surname.
Mortar is also an Italian-derived variation on the name Mortara. This may have derived from the Italian for “a shell of mortar” (mortaio). The deepest roots of this name likely come from Northern Italy, where it was associated with a crater-like vase used for grinding corn.
The Mortar name can also be found in other forms, such as Mortarer or Mortarero, which are Italian forms of Mortar. Mortarina is an Italian variation on the surname.
The name Mortar can also be found as the prefix of various surnames, such as Mortarari, Mortarato, Mortarazio, Mortarello, as well as other variations like Mortarella, Mortarini, and Mortaroli.
Finally, the Mortar surname can also be found in England and Scotland. Mortar is an old Scottish surname, while Mortore, Mortero, and Mortaire are variants of the same name. Mortars is another variation, derived from the French mortaise.
Famous people with the name Mortar
- John Mortar, American flat-track motorcycle racer
- Richard Mortar, Australian rugby football player
- Kenneth Mortar, British amateur golfer
- Aaron Mortar, US musician and songwriter
- Dimitris Mortar, Greek sculptor
- Paul Mortar, American poet
- Carmine Mortar, Italian watercolor painter
- Anna Mortar, German architect
- Hélio Mortar, Brazilian professional footballer
- Denise Mortar, Spanish Feminist activist
- Alexander Mortar, Russian painter
- Charles Mortar, French composer
- Anne Mortar, Swedish film director
- Tim Mortar, Irish folk singer
- Edward Mortar, English aerospace engineer
- Mariano Mortar, Argentinian photographer
- Michael Mortar, Canadian gymnast
- Pauline Mortar, Turkish actress
- Bill Mortar, American astrophysicist
- Julien Mortar, Belgian contemporary artist