Surname Burkholter - Meaning and Origin
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Burkholter: What does the surname Burkholter mean?
The last name Burkholter is an old Swiss-German family name derived from the Middle High German word burc, meaning "castle" and holt, meaning "wood". The surname was likely taken on as a reference to a family living by a castle in a wooded area.
There are variations of the Burkholter surname found in the United States with roots in several different countries, including Switzerland, Germany, and Scotland. The name is commonly found in the eastern U.S., especially in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Ohio.
The Burkholter surname is generally believed to have originated in the canton of Lucerne, Switzerland in the 13th century, but it is not known with certainty where the name originated from before that. It is likely that members of this extended family had moved to Germany by the end of the 15th century, eventually settling in the Palatinate region.
It is also believed that some families with the Burkholter surname were part of the Palatinate’s immigration to Pennsylvania in the early 1700s. These families were among the 14,000 or so people in the group who settled in the Conestoga Valley of southeastern Pennsylvania.
The Burkholter surname can still be found in various parts of the world today, but perhaps the most prominent descendants of the original family are those who live in Pennsylvania, USA, and Lucerne, Switzerland. While the original members of the Burkholter family established a long-running legacy, the nation of their origin is still connected to the surname in meaningful and lasting ways.
Order DNA origin analysisBurkholter: Where does the name Burkholter come from?
The last name Burkholter is most commonly found in Germany. Records indicate that the family first originated in the Bavarian towns of Archeholling, Burkhalters Ludwigshafen, and Eisingersdorf. The name can also be found in Switzerland, Austria, and other parts of Europe.
In the United States, Burkeholder is most common in the Midwestern states. A quick search of the U.S. Census Bureau data shows that the highest concentration of the name is in Indiana, where the density is nearly three times that of the national average. Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Illinois also have significant Burkeholder populations.
In terms of global distribution, the name Burkholter is most often found among people of German descent. The origin of the name may be derived from a combination of the German words “burke” (fortified castle) and “holter” (protector). It is thought that the name is rooted in its use as a surname to denote an individual who was appointed to protect a fortified castle.
Despite its popularity in Germany, the name Burkholter is actually quite rare in modern day society, due in part to the fact that it has not been adopted by modern generations. The last name is not found as frequently, however, there are still some pockets of Burkeholder populations in the United States and elsewhere.
Variations of the surname Burkholter
The Burkholter surname, of German origin, can sometimes be spelled differently in various records or documents. Surname variants of the Burkholter name include Burkhaltar, Burkhalter, Berkholter, Burkholder, and Burckhalter. Some versions of the name may also be found with the prefix “von”, such as von Burkhaltar.
Other related surnames would include Burchalt, Birkhaltzer, and Birkholder.
The Burkholter name likely descends from the Middle High German word burc, meaning “protection everywhere”, and halderen, which means “to stand firm”. This surname likely refers to those strong of character who “stood firm” in protection of their family, property, or village. It is possible the name was descriptive of those individuals with strong resolve and a guardian spirit.
The earliest known variations of the Burkholter surname can be found in areas of Germany, including parts of Hamburg, Saxony, and Bavaria. It is likely that the surname was adopted by families who relocated from Germany to the United States of America during the 19th century.
Those bearing the Burkholter surname can be found in records dating back to the mid-1600s, mostly in records from Germany. Throughout the history of the name, the spelling has remained relatively consistent and maintained in the same style. All variants of the name are incorporated into the same family tree.
Famous people with the name Burkholter
- Jonathan Burkholter: American actor with over 10 years of experience in television, commercials, and theater
- Gabriella Burkholter: former league of legends pro-gamer
- Marcia Burkholter: TV journalist and anchor
- Tessa Burkholter: actress known for her roles in Beyond the Messy Truth and Dreamland
- Kristin Burkholter: former model and blogger from California
- Carsten Burkholter: professional athlete and extreme sport aficionado
- Anna Burkholter: former professor of economics and author of the book "The Human Cost of Economic Impacts on our Environment"
- William Burkholter: former life coach and the author of the book “Finding The Purpose of Life"
- Bart Burkholter: renowned painter of abstract and figurative art
- John Burkholter: award-winning jazz musician and composer