Surname Kuhirt - Meaning and Origin
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Kuhirt: What does the surname Kuhirt mean?
Kuhirt is a Germanic surname that dates back to the Middle Ages, having its roots in the Latin word ‘curtis’, meaning a fortified dwelling. Over time, the surname has changed, and variations include Kuhnhardt, Koenhard, and Kuhharbster. In some other parts of the world, the name has been anglicized to Koehrt, though this is not its original spelling.
It is believed that the name Kuhirt originally referred to a person who resided in a ‘court’, such as a nobleman’s court or estate. In such cases, the head of the household was referred to as ‘curtis’, thus signifying their higher status.
Kuhirt is also a geographical indication, indicating that the family likely came from a certain area or origin. In some cases, this could have been an area in Germany or Austria, where many members of this surname are located today.
Though the name Kuhirt has not been historically particularly common, it is believed to have had a presence in Germany and Austria since at least the 16th century. The name has become increasingly popular in the 21st century as more genealogical databases have been made accessible, allowing for more information on family ancestry and its origins.
Overall, the name Kuhirt is believed to have originally been a toponymic surname, indicating a geographical origin, as well as a potential status as a former member of a noble family’s court. Over time, the name has become increasingly popular, though it is still relatively rare outside of Germany and Austria.
Order DNA origin analysisKuhirt: Where does the name Kuhirt come from?
The last name Kuhirt is not especially common today. It is mostly found in the town of Nurtingen in Germany, where its presence dates back to the 10th century. There are also some people with the last name living in the northern Swiss canton of Basel-Land, Austria, and in parts of Poland and South Tyrol in Italy.
Kuhirt is believed to be derived from the Middle High German word “kuh”, meaning cow, combined with the Germanic “herti” or “heart”, indicative of a profession involving cattle. It is probable that the original holders of this name were involved in dairy farming and cattle-keeping at some point in the distant past.
The name is not especially prominent beyond these areas, although there are some american citizens living in places such as Texas and Iowa with this last name.
The surname Kahr is similar and is found in parts of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.
Overall, Kuhirt is not a very common surname today, but those with the name can trace its origins to the areas mentioned above.
Variations of the surname Kuhirt
The surname Kuhirt is of German origin, and has two known spellings: Kuhhirt and Kuehirt. It is most common in the western regions of Germany such as Hessen, North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. The Kuhhirt variant is the most common, and is found in various forms across Germany and also in the United States and Canada. Other variants of the name Kuhhirt include Kuhhrt, Kuehhrt, Kuehhrte, Kuhhrte, Kuehherte, Kuhert, Koehhrt, Kohert, Kuhhrtel, Kuehhrtel, Keihhrtel and Kohertel.
A possible variant or surname of the same origin is Kuehher. This spelling is not as popular as the other variants, however it is found in small numbers in Germany. In terms of pronunciation, the Kuehher version is pronounced similarly to the Kuhhirt version, however it has less emphasis on the “h” sound.
The Kuhhirt and Kuehher surnames have possible origin stories. One potential origin is that it was once a nickname for people who worked in the kitchen, and was derived from a word for “cook” or “kitchen”. Another possible origin is that it was once a German place name located near an old castle or fort.
Overall, Kuhhirt is a German surname of noble origin and has many common spellings and variants, as well as a possible alternative surname of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Kuhirt
- Alex Kurth: Alex Kurth is a German-born American professional basketball player. He was an undrafted player in 2004 and has since gone on to play professionally in multiple countries.
- Arminius Von Kurhitz: Arminius Von Kurhitz was an early 19th century German military leader and general. He is best known for defending the German city of Hanau against French forces during the War of the Sixth Coalition.
- Barbara Kühirt: Barbara Kühirt is a German film and theater director. She has directed multiple plays and films which have won several awards.
- Christoph Kühirt: Christoph Kühirt is a German classical cellist. He is an advocate for contemporary classical music and has performed multiple world premier pieces.
- Drew Kurth: Drew Kurth is an American singer-songwriter, most famous for his hit single “Make It Last”. He has released a few albums and singles and also performs live regularly.
- Franz Kühirt: Franz Kühirt was a German Major of the Prussian army during the Franco-Prussian War. He is noted for his leadership during the Siege of Metz and the Battle of Gravelotte.
- Hildegard Kühirt: Hildegard Kühirt is a German philosopher. She has written multiple books and articles on a variety of topics such as metaphysics, aesthetics, and the philosophy of language.
- Jacob Kühirt: Jacob Kühirt is a German photographer and visual artist. He has works shown in multiple galleries internationally and his work focuses on the human condition and experience in modern times.
- Leo Kühirt: Leo Kühirt is a German voice actor. He has lent his voice to multiple films and television shows, as well as video game characters. He is currently the German voice of Aladdin in Disney projects.