Surname Borgard - Meaning and Origin
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Borgard: What does the surname Borgard mean?
The last name Borgard is of German origin and is believed to be a variation of the name Berghardt. It is believed to date back to the 12th century and was thought to have derived from the German word "berg" meaning 'mountain' and "hardt" meaning 'brave' or 'hardy'. The name is thought to have described a brave and hardy person who lived in the mountains or on a hill.
The name gained popularity during the Middle Ages when many Germanic Europeans were migrating west across Europe. These families settled in different areas and adopted the local surname. Over time, the spelling of the name would have changed in different areas and there is also evidence that some families changed the spelling of their name intentionally to differentiate themselves from others with the same name. For example, the name "Borgard" may have been used to differentiate itself from the more common Berghardt.
The meaning of the name Borgard today is believed to be that of a strong, brave and hardy individual. These traits could be indicative of someone who is hardworking, resilient, courageous and determined in his or her pursuits.
Order DNA origin analysisBorgard: Where does the name Borgard come from?
The last name Borgard is a rare but widely dispersed name. It has been found in Belgium, Germany, France, Norway, Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, and other countries. Although it is quite rare, all records show that the vast majority of the Borgard family is found in Belgium.
The name Borgard has Germanic roots, so this is why most of the Borgard families are found in the Germanic countries. It is derived from “burgherd” or “burgward”, which translates to “fortress defender”, indicating that someone in the family had an important role in defending a fortress.
The Borgard family has a strong presence in the Limburg region of Belgium. Records of the family can be traced back to the beginning of the 18th century when Jean-Baptiste Borgard, a French refugee master, settled in Limburg. The Borgard family rose to prominence in the 1700s and 1800s, with many members becoming merchants, clergymen, and miners.
Today, the last name Borgard still has a presence in France and Belgium, though it is much rarer than it was centuries ago. The names Jan Borgard and Eddy Borgard, for example, are both well-known in the region. Although the last name Borgard is difficult to find, the family still maintains strong ties to the Limburg region and many records still exist in its archives.
Variations of the surname Borgard
The surname Borgard is a patronymic name derived from the given name Borger. It is found in several variants with slight variations in spelling, including Burgard, Bürger, Burger, Bürgert, Bürgers, Bürget, Bürgler, Borchard, Borcherdt, Börchert, Borgard, Borgards,Bourgard, Burgett, and Burghardt.
They all signify someone from a fortified place or borough. In the German language "Burg" or "Borgo" means stronghold. In Anglo-Norman times "Borg" refers to a body of men, a militia, who defended the towns from attacks by local bandits. The meaning of the surname Borgard evolved over the centuries from town guard, to man from a borough, to man from a fortified town, and finally to mean someone from Fort Borgard.
The earliest records of the surname Borgard date back to the 12th century in the Germanic countries. During this time the surname was found mainly in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Hesse. The modern spelling of the surname is found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, as well as parts of the United States.
In the United States, the surname Borgard is most commonly found in Pennsylvania and Ohio. It is also occasionally found in other states such as California, Minnesota, and Michigan.
Often, the surname Borgard can be found in records being spelled in its various variant spellings and names. In these cases, research must be done to connect all the various spellings to a single origin. This can often require searching through records by each individual spelling and surname to make the necessary connections.
Famous people with the name Borgard
- Sture Borgard, Swedish cross-country skier
- Kayley Borgard, American country singer
- Rebecca Borgard, German writer
- Larry Borgard, Canadian hockey player
- Grover Borgard, American actor
- Rebecka Borgard, Swedish olympic snowboarder
- Freidenborg Borgard, French painter
- Holly Borgard, British actress
- Gustav Borgard, Danish soldier
- Jaclyn Borgard, American fitness instructor