Surname Herfurt - Meaning and Origin

Herfurt: What does the surname Herfurt mean?

The last name Herfurt is of German origin. It is derived from a habitational name which means 'settlement of the deer'. The derivation of this name could be small rural settlements, farms, or even hunting lodges near forests and deer fields. The name Herfurt is commonly found in the German states of Saxony and Thuringia.

It is believed that people with the name Herfurt would have most likely been hunters or farmers who lived nearby to deer fields. People with the last name Herfurt also had a tradition of being farmers and tradesman as they owned lands in ancient times.

The earliest recorded Herfurt is Johann Philipp Herfurt who was born in 1629 in Württemberg. Other significant bearers of this surname include the 18th-century painter Wilhelm Friedrich Herfort, and the 19th century sculptor August Heinrich Herfort.

Herfurt is derived from the Old German words "heri" and "furt" which translates to deer and road respectively. The road referred to is one used by deer and not necessarily a road used by people. Therefore, the name could also mean living near deer trails.

Today, the surname Herfurt is still used in Germany. People with the name are recognized for their hard-working and honest qualities, as well as their creative ability. Herfurt is a unique surname that carries a rich and interesting history as well as strong family ties.

Herfurt: Where does the name Herfurt come from?

The last name Herfurt is most commonly found in Germany today. It is a German surname derived from the Middle German word “herfurde” which means “shepherd,” and was likely an occupational name for people who worked with sheep and other livestock. This surname is quite common in Germany today and is seen throughout the country’s various regions. In Bavaria, a southern region of Germany, it is one of the top 175 surnames. The Herfurt name can also be found throughout Central and Western Europe, particularly in Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium, as well as other places in Germany like Baden-Württemberg, Sachsen-Anhalt, and Rhineland-Palatinate. Additionally, the name Herfurt is found in North America, especially in the United States and Canada among German immigrants. In the US, the name is especially prevalent in Pennsylvania, and this region probably has the highest concentration of people with the last name Herfurt in the world.

Variations of the surname Herfurt

The surname Herfurt is believed to be of German origin. It is believed to have originated from the German words “her” which means army and “furt” which means ford or pass. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin are as follows:

Harford: this spelling is the most commonly used variant of the surname Herfurt. It is believed to have originated from the Irish surname Ó Uilliam, which translates as descendant of William. This spelling can also be found in English records.

Herford: derived from the same German roots as Herfurt, Herford is another variant of the surname. This spelling is more commonly seen in Europe than in the United States.

Harforth: a combination of the two most common variants, Harford and Herford, this spelling is often found in Australia. It is both a variant and a combination of two of the other spellings.

Hörfert: this spelling applies to some German families with the same surname origin. It is a variant of the German word “ hören ”which means “listen.”

Herfort: found among some Dutch families with the same surname origin, this spelling is derived from the word “herfst” or “autumn.”

Heerford: As with Herfort, this variant is taken from the Dutch word “Heer” which means army or warrior.

Harfa: A variant of the surname found among some Scandinavian families, this spelling is derived from the Old Norse word “harefari” meaning “army”.

Regardless of the variant or spelling, Herfurt remains an old Germanic and European surname with a long history and a wide variety of spellings.

Famous people with the name Herfurt

• Mark Herfurt: Mark Herfurt is a German actor who has had roles in TV interest as well as movies. He is best known for his roles in the TV series Charmed and the movie Killer Barbies from Outer Space.
• Eva Herfurt: Eva Herfurt is a German-born actress who has had roles in movies such as Rent Control and the indie sci-fi film Killer Barbies from Outer Space.
• Jonas Herfurt: Jonas Herfurt is an Austrian lawyer and politician. He served as the Parliamentary Commissioner for Civil Service and Public Administration in Austria from 2003 to 2008.
• Katja Herfurt: Katja Herfurt is a German visual artist who specializes in painting, installation, and photography. She has had her work featured in many exhibitions around the world.
• Armin Herfurt: Armin Herfurt is a German former professional football player who called it a career in 2008. He spent most of his playing career in the Oberliga, the fifth division of German football.

Other surnames

Herfurth