Surname Neurath - Meaning and Origin

Neurath: What does the surname Neurath mean?

The last name Neurath is of German origin, coming from the Middle High German words 'nur' meaning 'bare/naked' and 'rat' meaning 'counsel'. It is a habitational name used to denote people from Neurath in Germany, derived from the German word for 'naked or bare' and 'counsel', referring to an area of open country as opposed to a densely wooded area. Additionally, it may have been used as a nickname for someone who spoke or acted impulsively and without much thought.

The Neurath surname is usually found throughout Northern Germany, particularly in the region of Lüneburg, Brandenburg, Bailiwick of Berlin, Saxony-Anhalt, and the Dresden area.

The Neurath name is believed to have first appeared in written documents in 1219 when a Wilhelm de Neurathe was mentioned in a register of the city of Florence. Additionally, Friedrich von Neurath was a major figure in the Eastern settlement of Germany in 1227, which is likely the earliest recorded reference to the Neurath name.

Neurath does not appear to have been a particularly common surname throughout its history. However, its prominence in German ancestry as an influential name has been solidified by some highly regarded figures, including most prominently Baron Konstantin von Neurath, a German diplomat in World War I.

Finally, in modern times the Neurath name is most recognisable for being given to the Austrian-British philosopher, Otto Neurath. Neurath is widely known and respected for his contributions to the foundation of the social sciences, his invention of the internationally recognised ISOTYPE (International System Of TYpographic Picture Education) visual language, and, most recently, for his part in the coining of the term 'holistic' within the academic world.

Neurath: Where does the name Neurath come from?

The last name Neurath is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. According to the World Names Public Profiler, it’s found most frequently in the Bavarian city of Würzburg, Germany, followed by the city of Erlangen in Franconia and the city of Landshut in Bavaria, Germany. The name Neurath is also found in the towns of Graz in Austria and Solothurn in Switzerland.

Overall, the surname Neurath isn’t very common in general, as the World Names Profiler estimates fewer than 5,000 people around the world with the last name Neurath.

The name Neurath is believed to come from the old German name Neiderer, with the ending “-ath” denoting an occupation such as resident of or worker on a farm. This element of the name Neurath also ties in strongly to the region of Bavaria, where the name originated.

Given that the name Neurath is typical of German-speaking countries, it makes sense that it’s still mainly found in the same region today. This explains why the name is still most commonly found in the towns of Würzburg, Erlangen, Landshut and Graz, in what is now known as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Variations of the surname Neurath

Neurath is a common German surname, which is derived from the Old German noh, meaning "fear," and rot, meaning "counsel." The various forms of this surname include Neurata, Neurath, Neuwirth, Neuwirt, Neurrote, Neurotte, Neuwurth, Nohard, Noherdt, and Neuerdt.

The earliest known record of the Neurath surname is from 1278 in Northern Germany, where a Neurath von Werden is listed in a directory of landowners. The spelling of the Neurath name has been found to be modified over time by various dialects; often the final "h" was omitted and the name would be recorded as Neurat, requiring an understanding of the different spelling variants.

Some alternative spellings of the name include Neurata, Neurrote, Neurotte, Neuwirth, Neuwirt, Neuwurth, Nohard, Noherdt, and Neuerdt. Additionally, some Jewish populations have adopted the Neurath surname, such as the Neurath-Goldfarbs, a prominent Jewish family with roots in Austria.

The German surname Neurath can be found across Europe including Germany, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, and the Czech Republic. Today, the name can also be found on every continent, as German immigrants began to travel to the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Australia in the 1800s.

Famous people with the name Neurath

• Otto Neurath: Renowned Austrian philosopher, scientist, and social reformer from the early 20th century. Known for his pioneering contributions to economics and the social sciences.
• Paul Neurath: Founder of game studio OtherSide Entertainment, creator of the successful Ultima Underworld game series.
• Richard Neurath: British physiologist and biophysicist who made major contributions to the development of brain imaging techniques.
• Adolf Neurath: German statesman during the interwar era, served as Foreign Minister from 1932 to 1933.
• Franz Neurath: Austrian zoologist and geneticist, considered a pioneer of modern evolutionary genetics.
• Rose Neurath: British physicist and seismologist best known for her research on seismic anisotropy and plate tectonics.
• Edmund Neurath: American physician and researcher, considered a founder of modern physiology.
• Gwen Neurath: American psychologist known for her research on altruism and social disgust.
• Carl Neurath: Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist, known for his research on electroencephalography.
• Andreas Neurath: American political scientist and environmental activist, advocate for a "green economy" and sustainability.

Other surnames

Neurat