Surname Pforte - Meaning and Origin
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Pforte: What does the surname Pforte mean?
The last name Pforte is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word “pfoor” or “pforte”, which literally means “gate” or “entrance”. This surname was given to someone who either lived near a gate or was in charge of its maintenance. It may also have been given to someone who lived and worked around the entrance to a community, such as a guard or steward.
The name Pforte is quite common in Germany and can be found throughout the country. It is especially concentrated in the regions of Hesse, Bavaria, and Baden-Württemberg. The population in these states tops 7 million, making it the most popular surname in the region.
The spelling of this surname has altered over the centuries, with variants including Pfordt, Peffer, Pfortner, Pfertner, and Porfer. It is also close to the surname Port, a meaning “harbor” or “port” in German.
The literal meaning of Pforte makes it an interesting name choice. It harkens to the past and reflects a traditional German heritage. Though the meaning has changed over time, the name will continue to hold onto its original meaning for many centuries to come.
Order DNA origin analysisPforte: Where does the name Pforte come from?
The last name Pforte is common in Germany today as it has a German origin. Although the name's origin is not certain, some experts believe it is derived from the Middle High German word “pforte,” which means “gate” or “gateway.”
The Pforte surname is common in Lower Saxony, a German state located to the north of North Rhine-Westphalia. This area is the ancestral home of many Pfortes and many of the original Toponymic surnames - names derived from place names - are still found there today. Other parts of Germany where the Pforte surname is still prevalent include Saxony-Anhalt and Bavaria.
In the United States, Pforte is listed as a fairly unusual name, with only about 1650 people having the last name. Much of the concentration of the Pforte name in the United States is in Pennsylvania, most likely due to the migration from Germany. There are also people with the Pforte surname living in Ohio, New York, California, and Illinois.
The Pforte name can also be found in Austria, Canada, Russia, England, Spain, Mexico, and Brazil.
In terms of culture, one of the well-known bearers of the Pforte name was American monster movie actor, screenwriter, and producer John D. Pforte. He wrote for the Universal Monsters movie series, including Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein.
All in all, the Pforte surname is widely distributed across Germany, the United States, and other countries around the world. Its origin is rooted in a Middle High German word, and its presence is still quite strong in the state of Lower Saxony, as well as other parts of Germany.
Variations of the surname Pforte
The surname Pforte is believed to have originated from Germany and has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the most common variants include Pforten, Pfortner, Pfortmueller, and Pfortner.
The earliest known reference of the name dates back to the year 1350, in the form of a man by the surname, Wernher der Pforte, of Ratisbon, Bavaria.
The Pforte spelling is most often used in the areas of Austria and Germany. It is believed to have derived from the word 'pforte', which is German for 'gate' or 'doorway'. The name Pforte is thought to have mentioned an occupation such as a doorman or gatekeeper.
Pfortner is another variant that is found mainly in the Austria and Germany regions. It is still derived from the German word for 'portal' and is usually found mentioned in documents from the 16th century.
Pfortmueller, derived from the German word 'muller', which translates to 'miller', is believed to refer to mill relating occupations, such as 'miller lad' or 'miller's apprentice'. It is considered to be less common than the other variants of the name.
Lastly, the surnames Pforten and Pfortner are also variants of the same origin and have been in use since at least the 17th century in Germany. It is derived from the German word 'porten' or 'portmogul', which refers to a bureaucrat or customs official.
In conclusion, the surname Pforte has several different variants, spellings and names of the same origin. It is possible to trace the name back to the 14th century, when it was first documented. The common variants of the surname are Pforten, Pfortner, Pfortmueller, Pforten and Pfortner, which all refer to occupations related to doorways, portals and customs.
Famous people with the name Pforte
- Erich Pforte, German physician and entomologist
- Jürgen Pforte, German physiotherapist and medical pedagogue
- Waltraud Pforte, German politician with the conservative Christian Democratic Union
- Samuel Pforte, German statesman, and army chief of staff during the Napoleonic Wars
- Benjamin Pforte, German physicist and chemist
- Heinrich Pforte, German film director, photographer, and environmentalist
- Hugo Pforte, German architect, painter, and sculptor
- Julie Pforte, German actress
- Sigurd Pforte, German composer and organist
- Philip Pforte, German church musician, composer, and organist