Surname Burchhard - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Burchhard: What does the surname Burchhard mean?
The surname Burchard traces its roots back to the Germanic language of Old High German. The term burch or burc, meaning ‘fortress’, was the origin for the surname Burchard, providing its original meaning of ‘a strong defender’. The masculine form of this name is Burchard and the feminine form is Burcharda. The name is also translated to mean ‘guardian’ or ‘protector’ and there is also a variation in the spelling of the surname, being Burchhardt.
The surname Burchard is believed to have originated from a small town in Bavaria that was founded by a person called Burchard. It’s thought that the town was named after him and this is how the surname spread, becoming popular throughout Germany and then further afield when members of the population emigrated.
Burchard has also been used as a given name throughout German-speaking countries and beyond. There is also a Canadian town called Burchard, originally called Burgard, located in Saskatchewan’s North West Territories. The origin of the town’s name is believed to be derived from either a family of Swiss settlers or one of its first pioneers.
The path of the surname Burchard has changed many times over the centuries and its various spellings demonstrate the various influences and languages that have shaped the name. From its original meaning ‘guardian’ to a place name or a given name, and from German to English and beyond, the Burchard surname has certainly seen changes throughout the years.
Order DNA origin analysisBurchhard: Where does the name Burchhard come from?
The last name Burchhard is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In Germany, it is mainly spread throughout the states of Bavaria and North-Rhine Westphalia. It is also found in the United States, especially in the states of Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin.
In Germany, the surname Burchhard is considered a common traditional family name. Records of the name can be traced back to the 12th century, specifically in the Bavarian area. The name is derived from the old German surname “Burkhart” and was most likely a name given to someone who was a leader or someone with a strong character.
The name is particularly popular in Switzerland where it is the 61st most common surname. It is also quite popular in Austria, where it is one of the top 100 surnames. In the United States, the name is not as common. However, it is still relatively widespread in the areas of the Midwest, in particular, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin.
The Burchhard family name, whether in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, or the United States, is still going strong. It is a significant part of the countries’ histories, as well as their culture.
Today, the surname is used by proud people of all backgrounds and cultures, providing a reminder that each of us has an individual traceable history.
Variations of the surname Burchhard
The Burchhard surname is believed to have originated from ancient Germanic words meaning “strong soldier”.
Variants of this surname include Burgard, Burchard, Burchhardt, Burchart, Burchhardt, Burkhart, Burghard, Burghardt, and Burghardt. It is interesting to note, that all these spellings share the same sounding root words in their compositions.
The surname also has derivatives such as Burgar, Burchar, Burgardt, Burchardt, Burdart, Burghardly, and Burgharts. There are also numerous variants of the surname found throughout Europe, including Burner, Burgess, Bernardino, Burchik, Buresh, van Buerch, and Van Burch.
The history and origin of this surname are uncertain. It is believed to have first appeared in feudal Bavaria in the 8th century, and is most commonly associated with Bavarian nobility. Burchharts, Burgards, and Burgarts are found amongst some of the earliest official records of the region.
In the last century, Burchhard has become increasingly common as a first name. Various cultures have adopted creative spellings of this old surname, such as Burchett, Burchill, Burchot, Burchet, and Burchott. The United States, Canada, Scotland, and Ireland are some of the countries where the surname is still used.
All in all, the Burchhard surname is quite interesting and varied. Depending on the location, there are various spelling variants, surnames, and derivatives of this old name. It will be interesting to see how this name continues to evolve throughout the centuries, as cultures and countries continue to make their mark.
Famous people with the name Burchhard
- Nikolaus Burchhard (1908-1945, German resistance fighter)
- David Burchhard (contemporary German singer-songwriter)
- Hilke Burchhard-Ostermeier (contemporary German model)
- John Burchhard (boys' basketball head coach, 2017-present)
- Jörg Burchhard (contemporary artist, graphic designer, and sculptor)
- Rolf Burchhard (1930-2003, Swiss contemporary painter)
- Ron Burchard (contemporary American real estate investor and property developer)
- Werner Burchard (contemporary German computer scientist)
- Timothy Burchhard (contemporary German theologian)
- Christopher Burchard (contemporary American songwriter)
- Sebastian Burchhard (contemporary German footballer)
- Brandy Burchhard (contemporary American makeup artist/influencer)
- André Burchhard (German film and television director, contemporary)