Surname Herfurth - Meaning and Origin

Herfurth: What does the surname Herfurth mean?

The surname Herfurth is a Germanic name consisting of two parts. The first part, "Herf," is a derived form of the Old German name Erifrid, which is composed of the elements "erio," meaning "army," and "frid," meaning "peace." The second part of the name, "urth," is an Old High German variant of the word "wurth," which means "guardian, protector." Therefore, the combined meaning of Herfurth can be interpreted as one who guards and protects the peace in the army.

This surname is most common in the former Holy Roman Empire region, as well as in Austria, Switzerland, and Northwest Germany. The oldest known variation of the name appears on records from 1544, when the gentleman Martin Herfurth was listed as a resident of Forest County in Brandenburg. Since then, the Herfurth name has spread throughout Europe and to numerous countries such as Canada, the United States, and even Australia.

Throughout the centuries, the Herfurth surname has extended its roots and has become a symbol of loyalty and strength. From being a guardian of peace in the army during the medieval period, the name is now associated with courage, loyalty, and an unwavering commitment to protect what's right.

Herfurth: Where does the name Herfurth come from?

The last name Herfurth is most common today in Germany, with the majority of Herfurths living in the states of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Hamburg. However, the surname can still be found throughout the German speaking world, as well as in other countries that include Austria, Switzerland and other European countries.

The earliest written record of Herfurth as a surname dates back to the 16th century in the areas of Silesia, Saxony, and Bawaria, which are all places that were part of the Holy Roman Empire. In the centuries that followed, Herfurths emigrated to other parts of Europe and around the world as Europe was being more heavily populated.

A common emigration pattern for Herfurths was to move from their original home in Germany to other European countries, particularly the Netherlands. It is likely that, during these migrations, branches of the Herfurth family eventually made their way to the United States, Australia, and other parts of the British Commonwealth.

It is also likely that some Herfurths kept their last name when fleeing Germany to escape religious and economic persecution during the late 19th and early 20th century. Today there are Herfurths scattered across around the world, showing just how far the family has come since its humble beginnings in the Holy Roman Empire of centuries ago.

Variations of the surname Herfurth

The surname Herfurth is of German origin and can be spelled in many different ways. It is derived from the Middle High German words “her” (“army”) and “fürst” (“lord”). Variants of the surname include Herfert, Herrfurth, Herrfurt, Harfurt, Herforth, Herverth, Herberth, Herfferd, and Herferts. It is most commonly found in its original German spelling, however some variants are found throughout Europe and the United States.

Additionally, surnames derived from Herfurth are Herfort, Herforth, and Herfortz. All of these spellings refer to the same origin. The English surname Herford is also a variant of Herfurth and is derived from the same Middle High German words. It is common to find these variants of the surname in areas populated by German immigrants, such as Pennsylvania, Texas, and Louisiana.

The French surname Herve is also derived from Herfurth; however, it is likely the result of a misunderstanding of the pronunciation of the original German surname, as dark “F” sounds can be confused with a silent “V”. The Dutch surname Herfst is another variant as it is derived from the same Middle High German origin as Herfurth.

All in all, the surname Herfurth has many variants and surnames of the same origin. These can be found primarily in countries where German immigrants have settled, including Germany, the United States, and France.

Famous people with the name Herfurth

• Christina Herfurth: Actress and Singer
• Paul Herfurth: Music Educator
• Ellen Herfurth: Author
• Dr. Stephan Herfurth: German Internist
• Ulrich Herfurth: Former German Politician
• Robert Herfurth: Former baseball Player
• Marie Herfurth: Actress
• Christian Herfurth: Film Composer
• Udo Herfurth: Musician
• Anthony Herfurth: Musician and Songwriter

Other surnames

Herfurt