Surname Purkhold - Meaning and Origin
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Purkhold: What does the surname Purkhold mean?
The last name Purkhold is of German origin and is recorded in the early medieval period. It is derived from the personal name "Porchtold". The first known recorded holder of the name was "Porchtold de flasschin" in 1250. This name is composed of the two Germanic elements "por" meaning forth, progress and "holdt" meaning protector, defender.
In the Middle Ages, many people took the name of their ancestor as their surname. This practice was quite common and it allowed members of the same family to carry the same surname. In the case of Purkhold, it is believed that the family that carried the name were descendants of the original Porchtold.
It is important to note that in the Middle Ages, a man's reputation was often determined by his family name and a family's lineage was very important. Therefore, the surname Purkhold was likely a mark of prestige and superiority within the community.
The last name Purkhold has spread throughout European countries such as Austria, Germany, Holland, Belgium, and England and it is still found today in places like the United States and Canada. The last name is associated with honours, fortune, and strength and is a reminder of the greatness that this family has achieved over the years.
Order DNA origin analysisPurkhold: Where does the name Purkhold come from?
The last name Purkhold is most commonly found in Germany and across the German-speaking world today. According to historical records, the surname is thought to have originated in the region of North Rhine-Westphalia in Northwestern Germany, but over time the surname has spread throughout the region.
Today, some of the places that most prominently feature the Purkhold surname include the districts of Zwickau in Saxony, Görlitz in Saxony, Nienburg in Lower Saxony, and the western part of Thüringen in East Germany. In Germany alone, there are approximately 1,300 people who share the Purkhold surname, who live mostly in the states of Bavaria and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Outside of Germany, the surname can still be found in places relative to the original area of origin. These areas include Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, South Tyrol in Northern Italy, and as far away as Canada, the United States, and Australia. The Purkhold surname is less common in these other countries and regions, and is typically encountered among people of German descent who have emigrated from Germany at some point in the past few centuries.
Variations of the surname Purkhold
Purkhold is a surname of Germanic origin, and is derived from the Old German personal name "Purgolt". It has three main variants, all of which contain the sound "Purg", which means "fortified", "strong", or "armed".
The variants are Purkholdt, Purkhold, and Purkhöldt. These variations are found in German, Dutch, and English spellings of the surname. Purkhold features a double consonant, while both Purkholdt and Purkhöldt feature a umlaut on the "o" (a double dot that is added over certain vowels).
In some cases, the variant Purkhöldt is more common in Austria than other countries. In German-speaking countries, spelling of surnames has varied over generations, and in some cases, they have been modified or simplified.
Other surnames that are associated with the Purkhold surname include Burgolt, Purkhöld, and Purkhilde. Variants in other languages include Purghol, Purghel, and Pehreholder in Dutch.
All of the surnames that are related to Purkhold denote strength and power, which suggests that the original bearer of the name had a reputation for being strong or courageous.
Famous people with the name Purkhold
- Sharon Purkhold, Olympic athlete
- Willi Purkhold, German footballer
- Robert Purkhold, former Member of Parliament in New Zealand
- Günther Purkhold, German architect
- Helga Purkhold, German sculptor
- Reinhold Purkhold, German composer
- Richard Purkhold, German painter
- Bridget Purkhold, American Scientist
- Ulrich Purkhold, German photographer
- Kerstin Purkhold, German artist