Surname Pfordt - Meaning and Origin
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Pfordt: What does the surname Pfordt mean?
The last name Pfordt is a German name, which is believed to derive from the Middle High German word “forht” meaning “dread or fear” and the suffix “-wald" meaning “forest”; thus, creating an expression that could mean either “forest of fear” or “fearful forest”.
One likely origin of this name is the German region of Fürwald, which was recorded as being near the Schwäbische Alb in the 15th century.
The early shape of the name as recorded in old documents and books bear witness to the lengthy path of its evolution: Ffurdt, Ffordt, Ffoort, Pfordt, and Pfort are all alternative versions of the same name and were used to identify various members of the same family.
In modern times, the last name Pfordt is still quite common in Germany and those of German descent, as well as throughout the world. It is likely that many who bear the name hail from the various branches of the Pfordt family tree that originally sprang from Fürwald.
The Pfordt surname is steeped in history and firmly rooted in the land of its origins. Although it may actually mean “forest of fear” or “fearful forest”, it is more likely that the name is a tribute to the courage and strength of the hardworking people of Fürwald.
Order DNA origin analysisPfordt: Where does the name Pfordt come from?
The last name Pfordt is predominantly a German surname. According to the US Census Bureau, the Pfordt surname is most commonly found in Germany, with other concentrations present in the United States, Chile, and Sweden.
In Germany, Pfordt can be found in parts of Berlin, Hamburg, and the Bavarian region of Southern Germany. This is not surprising given that more than two-thirds of the German population have at least one Germanic-origin surname. The Pfordt surname is also present in parts of the United States, particularly in Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and California.
According to Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org, there have been several Pfordt immigrants to the United States. The earliest record found was Johann Pfordt, who came to Staten Island, New York in 1887. Many other Pfordt immigrants followed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Outside of Germany and the United States, Pfordt is also present in Scandinavia, specifically in Sweden. In Chile, Pfordt can be found in several regions, such as Valparaiso, Santiago, and Coquimbo.
Overall, the Pfordt surname is predominantly found in Germany, with smaller concentrations in the United States, Chile, and Sweden.
Variations of the surname Pfordt
Pfordt is an old Germanic surname and one of the earliest recorded spellings of the name dates back to the 13th century. Over the centuries, the spelling of the name has changed quite dramatically, as families and generations moved around Europe. One of the more common spellings today is "Pfordte". Variants for this surname could include "Pforte", "Pfärtner, "Pförter", "Pfeurte" and "Pfahrte".
In some cases, the spelling has further changed with time, resulting in surnames such as "Pforder", "Pfert", "Pfohrte" and "Pförden". In many cases, the spelling of the name has also been simplified to "Ford", "Pord", "Forder" and "Forde".
Other surnames of similar origins include "Pforden", "Prinz", "Pfingsten", "Perfido", "Pfleger", "Pfennig", "Pfeiffer" and "Pfahl".
In some cases, the surname may have been divided among family members, resulting in the formation of several derivatives, such as "Pfahls" and "Philt". These surnames may also have been somewhat shortened over time, forming "Phaller" and "Phaller".
In general, double consonants and inflecting vowels are common suffixes and seen frequently in the spelling of the surname. For this reason, variants such as "Pfehler", "Pfuhler", "Pfiehl", "Pfaar" "Pöflle" and "Pfaller" are also derived from the original name Pfordt.
Famous people with the name Pfordt
- Christine Pfordt: Professional swimmer who won a bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
- Julian Pfordt: Professional cyclist who won the Tour de Poland in 2016.
- Viktoria Pfordt: Professional tennis player who won the French Open in 2020.
- Tim Pfordt: Professional golfer who won the British Open in 2019.
- Dr. Andreas Pfordt: Renowned surgeon and author of several medical textbooks.
- Professor Paul Pfordt: Award-winning Professor of Environmental Sciences at Colorado State University.
- Victoria Pfordt: Well-known fashion designer.
- Dr. David Pfordt: Internationally renowned Professor of Genetics, and recipient of the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2000.
- Marius Pfordt: CEO of the multi-national engineering firm, Stahl Corporation.
- Andreas Pfordt: Professional skier andmedal winner of the Ski World Cup in 2019.