Surname Hirdt - Meaning and Origin

Hirdt: What does the surname Hirdt mean?

The surname Hirdt is of German origin, and is thought to have its roots in the Middle High German verb “Hirte” which means to “watch over” or “tend”. It could also be derived from a cognate of “Herd” which means “flock” or “herd”. Some sources suggest that it is a topographic name for someone who lived on a hill or a hillside. As a surname, Hirdt is found mainly in Northern Germany, where it is most widely distributed in the Brilon region, with some occurrences in East Prussia.

In the eighteenth century, the Hirdts were a notable family in Westphalia and farmed the hillsides of the Sauerland and Westphalia. There is a small village in the Sauerland named Hurth today which may have an etymological connection to the Hirdt surname. In the early 20th century, the Hirdt family spread across various regions of Germany including Thuringia, Schleswig-Holstein, and Saxony.

The Hirdt family also spread to the United States during the 19th and 20th century migration waves. They settled mainly in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Michigan. Today, the surname is mainly associated with American descendants of German immigrants.

Overall, the surname Hirdt is thought to be derived from German occupational and toponymic origins, with the family name originally being derived from the Middle High German verb “Hirte”. It has since spread across various regions of Germany and the United States, primarily among the descendants of German immigrants.

Hirdt: Where does the name Hirdt come from?

The last name Hirdt is thought to be of Germanic origin and is most commonly found in the region of northern Germany and Poland. Hirdt is more common in Germany, with a population density of around 48 people per square kilometer. The highest concentration of Hirdt's in Germany is around the city of Munich.

Outside of Germany, Hirdt is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the states of Illinois, Minnesota, Virginia, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. It is thought that settlers with the last name Hirdt originally immigrated to the United States from Germany between the years 1880 and 1910.

In recent years, Hirdt has also been found in a number of other countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. The number of people with the Hirdt surname is estimated to be around 8,500 worldwide.

The spelling of Hirdt also varies, with alternative spellings such as "Hirtt," "Hurt," "Hurth," and "Hirtz" also appearing.

Variations of the surname Hirdt

The surname Hirdt is of German origin and can be found in various spellings and variants, such as Hirt, Hyrd, and Hurdt. Many variations of the name were adopted by English-speaking countries, such as Hurtt, Herd, Hurt, Hurtte, Hirt, Hyrdt, and Hurdte.

Early German records used the root word "Hirte" (meaning a guardian or shepherd) as a surname, and the personal name of the ancestor appears to have arisen from this word. During the time of industrialization in Germany, most people had to change their last name, as villagers began to take on surnames of their own. Thus, the “Hirte” became “Hirdt” and other variations.

The name is found in many countries, including Germany, Austria, and the US. In the United States, immigrants with the surname Hirt, Hyrd, and Hirdt mostly arrived in the 18th and 19th centuries. Later, some of the immigrants changed their surnames to different spellings, such as Herd, Hurt, or Hurtte.

In recent years, the surname Hirdt has been joined together with many other variants such as Hirt, Hyrd, Hurdt, Herd, Hurt, Hurtte, and Hyrdt. Many of these variations can be found in Germany and Austria, but can also be found in many other countries.

Famous people with the name Hirdt

• Phil Hirdt: American college baseball executive and former sports statistician who worked for the Elias Sports Bureau.
• Everett Hirdt: Former wide receiver in the National Football League.
• John Hirdt: American audio engineer and academic.
• Benjamin Hirdt: English-born actor and producer.
• Evan Hirdt: Former NHL and KHL ice hockey player.
• Eric Hirdt: American theatre producer, director, and actor.
• David Hirdt: Former defensive back in the Arena Football League.
• William Hirdt: English sailor and inventor who became a member of the New York Iron Foundry.
• Elizabeth Hirdt, American singer and songwriter.
• Robert Hirdt: 1900 American painter.

Other surnames

Hird