Surname Herfart - Meaning and Origin

Herfart: What does the surname Herfart mean?

The last name Herfart is of German origin and is a variation of the last name Herfurt. This surname likely originated from a northern region of Germany that used to be called Herford, which is now the city of Herford.

The name Herfart, meaning "of Herford", likely derives from the town's location at a ford of the River Aa. The use of the suffix “-furt” in relation to fords is a common practice in Germany. Those who took the last name Herfart likely had a strong regional connection to the town of Herford and wanted to differentiate themselves from other families.

The etymology of the surname Herfart can be traced back to two German words: "Her", meaning army or warrior, and "furt", meaning ford. Primarily, the name Herfart was given to a man with martial attributes, which could suggest that he was a vigorous fighter or a member of the military.

In Germany, the surname Herfart also developed as a sign of prestige for an established family that descended from the local population of Herford. Members of these families were typically landowners or merchants and became influential in business and politics in the region.

The last name Herfart is found in various forms across Europe and the United States today. It is a proud reminder of a family's origins and a tribute to their ancestors who fought for their freedom and way of life.

Herfart: Where does the name Herfart come from?

The last name Herfart is thought to be of German origin. Records show that it first appeared in the region of Saxony during the Early Modern Period of Germany's history. Today, this name is most commonly found in areas of Germany, specifically the southern parts of the country such as Bavaria and Brandenburg. However, as German emigration became more popular during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Herfarts began to spread to the United States, making Herfart a common surname in many parts of America today.

The Herfart surname can also be found in countries outside of Germany and America, such as Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. In 2015, the United Kingdom’s Office for National Statistics reported that the Herfart last name was ranked 2,084th in that country. In Australia’s cemeteries, there are Herfarts located in all of the major cities, such as Sydney and Melbourne.

Due to migration and intermarriage, the Herfart last name is now widely dispersed across the world. It is more common in some countries compared to others, but overall can be found in many places today, and is likely to continue growing in population.

Variations of the surname Herfart

The surname Herfart is an old German surname, with many different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.

In Germany, the traditional spelling of the surname is Herfrath, or Herfarth, however the spelling could also be phonetically spelled as Harfrath, or Harfart. These three spellings of the name were all commonly found in Germany throughout history.

In other contexts, the surname is often seen spelled with variations starting with an "H," such as Herrfarth, Hermanfarth, Herfert, Herzfahrt, Harfhausen, or Herwagh.

In the United States, some versions of the name may be changed even more drastically due to the phonetic pronunciation and adaptation to English as Herffort, Herzog, Hurford, or even Harford, or Herbert.

Other surnames that are related to Herfart include Herwart, Hartfart, or Hartfarth.

While the surname originated in Germany, it can now be found in countries throughout the world due to immigration. In any country, variations of the name can be found due to the phonetic pronunciation and spelling changes.

Famous people with the name Herfart

• Neil Herfart: an actor from the TV series CSI: NY.
• Patrick Herfart: a Belgian-born entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist.
• Irina Herfart: a Russian prominent scientist in the field of laser technology.
• Igor Herfart: a Russian political analyst and expert in regional and international affairs.
• Jura Herfart: a Finnish singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer.
• Heinz Herfart: a German-born film director and screenplay writer.
• Danny Herfart: a Dutch footballer who currently plays for Sparta Rotterdam.
• Samantha Herfart: an American tennis player who has won multiple singles titles on the ITF Women’s Circuit.
• Marius Herfart: a German professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Augsburger Panthers in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga.
• Sasha Herfart: a Russian-born artist and illustrator who has gained international acclaim for his vibrant and imaginative works.

Other surnames

Herfarth