Surname Launhard - Meaning and Origin

Launhard: What does the surname Launhard mean?

The surname Launhard is of German origin, derived from the verb ‘launen’, meaning "to soil". The surname is believed to have originally been an occupational designation for someone who tended to soil, such as a sewage worker or farmer. It is also believed to have been a locational surname, denoting a person who lived in Launhardt, a former settlement in Germany.

In German, the name Launhard is often spelled Lauenhart, orienting the name to the Old High German word for ‘wild boar’, lāhan-harti. As a result, some believe the surname to have been adopted by those with the occupation of hunting wild boars, such as a poacher.

Variations of the Launhard surname include Lauenhart, Leunhardt, Leonhard, and Lönnhardt. It is most commonly found in southwestern parts of Germany, specifically in the Rhineland-Palatinate region.

The Launhard surname is also seen in the United States. In 1880, the Lauenharts were counted among the 720 most common names in the United States, indicative of its presence in the country. The Lauenharts are believed to have arrived in America as early as 1709.

Today, the surname is shared by many across the globe. While it is most populous in Germany, traces of it are found in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, and Switzerland.

Launhard: Where does the name Launhard come from?

The Launhard surname is a German family name that is still common in Germany and in other German-speaking countries like Austria and Switzerland today. It is thought to have originated in the 1100s, derived from the Middle High German word 'selenharb' meaning 'noble hare'. In Switzerland, the earliest surviving record of the Launhard family dates back to 1286.

The frequency of the Launhard surname is most concentrated in Germany, where records show it to be the 805th most common last name.o It is especially prevalent in the rural Rhineland in the western side of the country. Records also show a steady migration of the Launhard family towards northern and southern Germany, as well as the Netherlands and the United States.

The name is popularized in the US in the 19th century when Germans immigrated to the country in large numbers, bringing many family names with them. A common bearer of the Launhard name today in the Unites States is a prominent military figure, General John Launhard, who served as Chief of Staff of the Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1944.

In conclusion, the Launhard surname is a centuries-old German name that can be found in parts of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the United States today.

Variations of the surname Launhard

The surname Launhard is of German or French origin and has a few different variations, spellings, and related surnames.

Launhard is the most common spelling of the surname, however, it can also be spelled variations such as Laonhard, Lenhard, Lankhard, and Launhardt. All of these variations are derived from the Germanic lanhari, meaning “land hard”, and were originally found in the Rhineland of Germany or the Alsace region of France.

The spelling Launhardt can also be found which is derived from the German lanhart, meaning “land strong”. This surname variation is most commonly found in the Rhineland region of Germany.

The spelling ‘Lenhart’ is more common in the United States, where it was first introduced by immigrants from Germany. Other related surnames associated with Launhard include Launder, Laundert, Löhnhardt, Lohnhart, and Lonnhardt.

Variants of Launhard can also be found in France, where it is known as Lahnard or Lonard. This spelling is believed to be derived from the Old French form of the name, Lohenard, and is common in the Alsace region.

While the spelling can vary greatly, the meaning and origin remain the same: land hard or strong.

Famous people with the name Launhard

• Andreas Launhard: German long-distance runner
• Erika Launhard: German politician and former President of the Family Affairs Committee of the German Bundestag
• Gottfried Launhard: Austrian architect, seismologist and university lecturer
• Stephan Launhard: German professional cyclist and six-time Olympian
• Maria Launhard: German scientist and pioneering physicist
• August Launhard: German politician and former Minister of Justice of the German state of Saxony-Anhalt
• Petra Launhard: German volleyball player and 2004 Olympic bronze medalist
• Gerd Launhard: German actor and theater director
• Jonas Launhard: Austrian philosopher and scholar of law
• Robert Launhard: American racing driver, karting champion and professional stunt driver

Other surnames

Launhardt