Surname Pfordte - Meaning and Origin
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Pfordte: What does the surname Pfordte mean?
The last name Pfordte is believed to have German origins, making the meaning of the name both distinctive and unique. The English translation of the surname is "from the ford," referring to a shallow river crossing point. It is also thought to refer to one who was either a ferryman who transported goods and passengers across the river, or else a person who settled in a location near a ford.
The earliest known use of the surname dates back to 16th century Germany, where it was found used by the Pfordte family living in northern Bavaria. This family is said to have been a noble family that descended from a long line of Bavarian vassals of the Counts of Schleissheim.
Today, Pfordte can still be found throughout Germany and Austria, particularly in Bavaria and the Austrian Alps. It is also found in the United States, where it is used mainly as a surname by those of German ancestry.
The surname Pfordte is an ideal example of how names can help to show us our own past and bring us in touch with our ancestors. It speaks to the rich history of Germany and of those who came before us, a reminder of our ancestors’ journeys, hopes, and dreams.
Order DNA origin analysisPfordte: Where does the name Pfordte come from?
The last name Pfordte is most common in Germany, particularly in eastern Germany, in the states of Saxony, Brandenburg, and Berlin. It has been in use since at least the 8th century, when its early history is mentioned in records of nobility in Saxony. It is also common in the Netherlands, in the provinces of Netherlands, especially in Overijssel. The name has spread through migration to other countries, including the United States, particularly in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Nebraska, and South Dakota.
The Pfordte name is still found in Germany. Records from the Middle Ages indicate that the family held superior ranks in the church and court. Their success was mostly due to their loyalty to their local rulers; the family of Pforten was a faithful supporter of the Margraves of Meißen during the Middle Ages. Records from the 19th century show that the Pfordte family maintained its presence in the arts and sciences, participating in Europe's intellectual, scientific, and spiritual renaissance. The family was recognized for its loyalty to its various rulers, and some of its members were even granted noble titles, such as Baron or Count.
The name Pfordte is still quite common in Germany today, especially among people of German descent in the United States. It is also found in other parts of the world, and it continues to be used by the descendants of the Pfordte family.
Variations of the surname Pfordte
The surname Pfordte originated in Germany. It is believed to derive from the German word “furt” which refers to a shallow river or a ford. It is spelled variously, including Pfördt, Pforrt, Pfort, and Pfordte, with other variations such as Pfoudte, Poert, Porrt, and Pfohrt. Variants of Pfordte surname include Foert, Foohrt, Foerdte, and Foort.
The Pfordte surname is also found as part of various combinations of surnames, such as Pfordte-Foert, Pfordte-Foordt, Foordt-Pfordte, Foerdte-Pfordte, and Foohrt-Pfordte. It is also occasionally found as an element of hyphenated surnames such as Pfordte-Kauhagen or Pfordte-Hills.
The Pfordte surname has been found in Germany, England, and across the Americas, including in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. The surname is mostly found in Germany, where its bearers are primarily concentrated in Bavaria to the south of Karlsruhe. The Pfordte surname also appears in records of German emigrants who settled in other countries during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
From the initial German Pfordte variant, other surnames have developed from elements of the root surname or from nicknames. Examples include Pfortner, Forder, and Portforder (from the German word for a ferryman). Other surnames related to Pfordte but derived from different origins include Forcht and Pfordtmann (from a German word meaning ‘guardian’).
In the United States, the surname is commonly spelled Pfordte, but other variations are found, including Portland and Pforth.
Famous people with the name Pfordte
- Sal Pfordte: German actor
- Georg Pfordte: German entomologist
- Jürgen Pfordte: German musicologist
- Silke Pfordte: German musician
- Reinhard Pfordte: German writer and psychologist
- Anthony Pfordte: American entrepreneur
- Irina Pfordte: Estonian artist
- Pieter Pfordte: Dutch sculptor
- Erash Pfordte: Norwegian heritage builder
- Adelheid Pfordte: Austrian artist