Surname Notdorft - Meaning and Origin
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Notdorft: What does the surname Notdorft mean?
The surname Notdorft is of German origin, and is derived from a place name.
The place name is thought to stem from two separate German words. "Nott", which is derived from "Notte", meaning brave or daring, and "Dorf", which is derived from the word "dorfe", meaning town or village.
Together the combination of these words mean "daring village."
The surname Notdorft could have its origins in a village located in the Northern German region of the Rhineland. Inhabitants would have adopted the name to distinguish themselves from others living in the surrounding area. Alternatively the name could have been adopted by a family who had moved from a different area to the region, thus introducing the name to the area.
Notdorft is a relatively rare surname and some early records of the name have been found dating back to the 16th century. It is not a title or a description, and would have become a family name for multiple generations.
Today there is a very small number of people who carry the Notdorft surname, and it is not widely found outside of Germany. Although the origin of the surname is associated with the location of a village, its meaning is still relevant today, as it speaks to the courage and bravery of those who carry the name.
Order DNA origin analysisNotdorft: Where does the name Notdorft come from?
The surname Notdorft is relatively uncommon today, but is still present across the world. It is of German origin, and is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Records show that the most concentrated areas of Notdorft settlement are in North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, and Hesse in Germany, as well as the Basel-Stadt canton in Switzerland. Records also show that Notdorft families have migrated to nearby countries such as France, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
In the United States, the census of 2010 lists the Notdorft surname being carried by a few dozen people across the country, mostly scattered throughout California, Oregon, and Washington. Notdorft has also been recorded in Canada, mainly in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario, and further afield in Australia, where it is mainly found in the states of New South Wales and Victoria.
The internet has made it easier than ever to locate other Notdorfts around the world. Through networking sites such as Facebook, it is possible for those with the surname to connect and build a global community. Despite its relative rarity, the Notdorft surname is still alive and kicking, and its current holders consider it a point of pride.
Variations of the surname Notdorft
Notdorft is a surname of German origin. It is also known by its variants Notdarft, Nottdorf and Notdorf. Variations and spellings of the surname are primarily found in Germany, though other European countries such as Austria, Switzerland, and even Poland have been known to use it.
The surname Notdorft is derived from two German words, “not” and “dorft”. “Not” is an Old High German word meaning “unclear, dark, difficult”, and “dorft”, a Middle High German word, could be translated as “village.” Put together, the surname Notdorft means “unclear village”, and is likely derived from a village located in an area that was difficult to navigate or reach. It is likely that these areas were wooded or hilly, and thus the villagers living there could have taken on the surname Notdorft to signify their home.
Throughout Europe, there are a number of surnames that can be considered to have the same origin as Notdorft, including Nottorf, Nottdorf, Notdorf and Notarft. Though these surnames may be similar in sound and spelling, they are thought to have distinct origins that make them distinct from one another.
The probability of having the same origin as Notdorft can be further supported by other changes to a certain location’s name over time. For example, it is possible that a region that was formerly referred to as Nottdorft may have been referred to as Notdorft in later years, or vice versa. This would explain why certain individuals may have had their surnames changed to reflect changing place names, resulting in the array of spellings and variants of the Notdorft surname.
Famous people with the name Notdorft
- Maren Notdorf, German actor
- Kris Notdorf, American professional football player
- Gisela Notdorf, German artist
- Rudiger Notdorf, German TV and filmactor
- Christian Notdorf, German racing cyclist
- Klaus Notdorf, German politician
- Uwe Notdorf, German sports journalist
- Jens Notdorf, German film director
- André Notdorf, German painter
- Christiane Notdorf, German singer and songwriter