Surname Folkhard - Meaning and Origin
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Folkhard: What does the surname Folkhard mean?
The last name Folkhard is of German origin and is derived from the old German words “folk” and “hard”, meaning brave and strong. The name Folkhard might have been derived from the occupational name for someone who was a bold or brave warrior, or strong and brave enough to protect his family and property.
The surname Folkhard may also have originally been a locational surname, as many German family names were derived from the location where a person lived or held land. It is also possible that the name may have been derived from someone who lived near a body of water, as the original German word for Folkhard could have referred to someone living near a ford or crossing of a river.
During the Middle Ages, many German surnames were derived from the first name of the father, with the suffix “-hard” or “hart” added to the end of the family name. This is still a popular practice in Germany today, as many Germans still use “-hardt” after the first name of their father when naming their children.
Overall, the last name Folkhard is believed to have originated from the Middle Ages, and is associated with a strong and brave family. It is believed to have been derived from a combination of occupational and locational surnames, or the first name of the father at the time.
Order DNA origin analysisFolkhard: Where does the name Folkhard come from?
Folkhard is a surname derived from a Germanic personal name that consists of two parts, "folc" and "hard". It has been used in many parts of Europe for centuries. Today, it is most common in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In Germany, the highest concentration is in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Bavaria. In Austria, it is most commonly found in the provinces of Voralberg and Tyrol. In Switzerland, it is most commonly found in the cantons of Bern, Aargau, and St Gallen.
The Folkhard surname is also found in other parts of Europe, including Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Italy, and the Czech Republic. It is also found in North America, particularly among the descendants of German and Austrian immigrants who settled in the U.S. and Canada in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Its origins have been traced back to the medieval Merovingian Franks, who spread their influence throughout Central Europe during the Early Middle Ages.
Variations of the surname Folkhard
Folkhard is a German surname whose variants, spellings and derivatives include Folkehard, Folkard, Folkhart, Folkhardt, Folkhert, Folchart, Foulkehard, Folquard, and Folkerd.
Folkehard is an older spelling of the surname of the same origin as Folkhard. It is a compound of two words – Folke, “people”, and hard, “strong”. It was a common name across the German speaking territories of Europe during the medieval period, and it would often be used to refer to brave warriors or powerful leaders.
Folkard is also a variant of the German surname Folkhard. This spelling is most commonly found in English documents during the medieval and Renaissance periods. It is likely based on a misunderstanding of how the name should be written in German, though it is still seen to this day in some areas of Britain.
Folkhart is another spelling of the same German surname. It usually has the same connotations as Folkhard, as a strong leader or warrior. It may have its roots in the Old High German language, as the name Hlodhard is spelled similarly.
Folkhardt is another variant of the same German surname. This is possibly an artificial spelling, as it tends to appear in more contemporary documents. It is sometimes seen spelled as folkhart, interchangeably.
Folkhert is a variant spelling of Folkhard. Again, Folkhert appears to be a modern spelling of the same surname, though it may have been used from as early as the 16th century in some locations.
Folchart is a variant spelling of Folkhard. This is again a variation that appears in modern documents, though it may have been used in older documents as well.
Foulkehard is a variant of Folkhard derived from Foulke, a medieval form of the name Folke (as seen in Folkehard). It likely refers to a strong leader or warring figure with the same connotations as Folkhard.
Lastly, Folquard and Folkerd are two more variant forms of the German surname Folkhard. Though they may differ in spelling, they refer to the same noble ancestry, derived from the German “folke”, meaning the people, and “hard”, meaning strong.
Famous people with the name Folkhard
- Warren Folkhard: Canadian actor and entrepreneur.
- Heinz Folkhard: German Olympic equestrian and horse breeder.
- Helga Folkhard: German Luftwaffe pilot during World War II.
- Erich Folkhard: German writer and commentator.
- Jürgen Folkhard: German professor of Philosophy and Theology.
- Les Folkhard: British rower, Olympic silver medalist in 1964.
- Amanda Folkhard: American poet, painter and author.
- Annette Folkhard: Danish composer and pianist.
- Tom Folkhard: German actor and theatre director.
- Rudi Folkhard: Austrian composer and producer.