Surname Erfurt - Meaning and Origin
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Erfurt: What does the surname Erfurt mean?
The last name Erfurt is primarily associated with German-speaking countries, and is thought to be derived from the city of Erfurt, located in the modern-day German state of Thuringia. The city itself is believed to have derived its name in the 8th century AD from a combination of two Old High German words - ebur meaning "fortress" and a river name - fordu meaning "pass."
The historical significance of the city of Erfurt dates back to its founding during Charlemagne's rule in the late 8th century, when it was used as a garrison and a strategic point in the region. Erfurt flourished during the Middle Ages and was known for its large number of churches and monasteries. As a result, the city and its name had become well-known by the 15th century, when the surname Erfurt first appeared in records.
The surname Erfurt is likely to have been associated with the city of Erfurt and its significance in medieval Europe, mirroring the city's reputation for its religious importance. It is possible the surname originated as a way to signify a privileged lineage to the ancient city, which would have been part of an effort to access certain privileges or rights associated with the city.
For those with the surname Erfurt, it is likely to have meant a certain degree of social prestige or prestige within their community. A connection to the ancient city was inevitably seen as honor or distinction and is likely to have been a source of familial pride.
Order DNA origin analysisErfurt: Where does the name Erfurt come from?
Erfurt is a surname most commonly found in the central German region of Thuringia, as well as parts of Poland and Lithuania. The city of Erfurt, in Thuringia, is thought to be the place of origin. It dates back to the twelfth century, when it was first mentioned in documents as "Erpford" or "Erpeford". Historically, the city was a center of trade, and it is thought that people from other parts of Germany and surrounding countries came to live and work here, adopting the name Erfurt as their own.
Today, Erfurt remains a very popular surname in Thuringia. According to the 2016 data from the German Federal Statistics Office, it is the thirty-seventh most common surname in Germany overall, and among the ten most common in Thuringia. The surname is one of the oldest surviving family names in Europe, with an estimated 700,000 people currently carrying it.
The surname is popular elsewhere in Europe, too. In Poland, Erfurt is the sixty-sixth most common surname, and in Lithuania it can be found as Erforas. While records of the name in North America are limited, it appears that several families with the surname settled in the United States and Canada over the past few centuries. In 2020, Nameberry.com estimated that around 16,000 people bore the name Erfurt in North America.
Variations of the surname Erfurt
The surname Erfurt has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Erfurt itself is an German-origin name, most likely derived from a location near the city of Erfurt, Germany. Common variants of the Erfurt surname include Erfurth, Erffurt, Erfforth, Erfft, Erfurth, Erffurth, Erft, Erff, and Erfford.
It is thought that the surname may have come to the United States from multiple branches of German and Prussian immigrants who likely settled in Pennsylvania, New York, and Virginia.
The surname can also be spelled Erfft, Errt, Erfford, Erford, Erffurt, Erfolth, Erffurth, Erf, or Everford. Other possible spellings include Earffordt, Erinfort, Erft, Erfurt, Hrfford, and Herfford.
The surname Erfurt may also have been spelled as Arffert, and there is evidence of a British variant of the name spelled “Arfitt” or “Arfett”.
Surnames of similar origin include: Erftemeyer, Erfurtmeyer, Erftmeyer, Erftemueller, Erftmann, Erftmueller, Erftmuhler, Erftmulder, Orford, Offord, Earfford, and Everford.
Each of these variants and spellings carries with it the same basic meaning of “Erfurt” or “erf”, or “land of eagles”. While all of these last names share a similar origin, it is important to remember that the literal translation of the surname can vary depending on its spelling.
Famous people with the name Erfurt
- John Erfurt (1814-1900) Actor, producer and theater director
- Richard Erfurt (1921-1997) German film and television actor
- Jochen Erfurt (1914-2001) Director and screenwriter
- Gene Erfurt (1920-1986) American actor
- Konrad Erfurt (1903-1984) German-born British composer and director
- Wilhelm Erfurt (1836-1911) German composer
- Johann Erfurt (1828-1901) German poet and painter
- Lucas Erfurt (1977-) German professional basketball player
- Cam Erfurt (2002-) Canadian actress
- Christel Erfurt (1932-1988) German actress