Surname Rothhard - Meaning and Origin
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Rothhard: What does the surname Rothhard mean?
The last name Rothhard is a German surname originating in the medieval area of the former Holy Roman Empire. Meaning “strong” or “brave” in German, the Rothhard name is closely associated with the region known as Rhineland-Palatinate located in the southwest corner of Germany near the French/German border.
The Rothhard family surname is thought to come from an ancient German phrase “hrōths hart”, which translates as “strong as a bear”. It is believed to have been a nickname originally, gained as a result of the bravery and strength of ancestors during times of conflict.
The Rothhard family name can be traced back to the German region of the Rhineland-Palatinate in chronological records dating back to the 1660s. It is also found in modern records in the United States, United Kingdom, and Scandinavia.
At the start of the twentieth century, Rothhard was an occupational surname. A number of Rothhard family members worked as armorers, blacksmiths, and shoemakers. As this occupation lost its importance in the modern era, the Rothhard nickname has been largely forgotten.
The Rothhard family has managed to preserve their name and legacy despite the modern changes to German culture. While people with the Rothhard surname may no longer recognize the story of their name they can still take pride in their lineage and the legacy of bravery that it encapsulates.
Order DNA origin analysisRothhard: Where does the name Rothhard come from?
Rothhard is an uncommon surname that originated in Germany. It can be found today primarily throughout Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and South Africa.
In Germany, the highest concentrations of the Rothhard surname can be found in the states of Bavaria, Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. In Switzerland, the surname is most common in the Canton of Zurich. In Austria, it’s commonly found in the states of Lower Austria and Tyrol. Finally, in South Africa the Rothhard name can mainly be found in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.
Within these regions, there is evidence of the Rothhard surname being present for hundreds of years. It is believed that the earliest mentions of the name can be found in records from the 13th century which document the deeds of people named Rotardus and Rudolfus de Rotardes from Bavaria.
Today, many families who carry the Rothhard surname have taken an interest in both tracing their family history and preserving its rich heritage. Many Rothhards have joined organizations such as the Rothhard Family Association which was founded in 1997 to “enable members to meet and exchange information”. Additionally, there are numerous books, websites and forums dedicated to the Rothhard family and their history.
Overall, the Rothhard surname is an uncommon name today with its highest concentrations of people residing in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and South Africa. Despite this, the legacy of the surname is still well preserved today and thanks to organizations such as the Rothhard Family Association, many Rothhards have an avenue to stay connected and learn more about their family’s history.
Variations of the surname Rothhard
Rothhard is a German surname derived from the Old High German word 'hart', meaning 'hard'. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Rotthard, Rothard, Rothhardt, Rotthart, Rothhart, Rothhards, Rothards, Rothhardts, Rotthards, Rothharts, and Rodthard.
The name Rothhard typically had a derivative meaning, “strongly caught in slavery,” which derived from the German words Rot, which referred to a condition of servitude, and hart, which referred to something solid or strong.
The Rothhard surname is believed to have originated from Bavarian, Thuringian and Saxon regions of Germany. It is one of the most common surnames in the German towns of Lidinghausen, Journalhausen, Billerbeck, and Markt Schwaben.
The variations of this name may have been derived from people who moved to various places in search for better living conditions and employment opportunities.
In Germany, some of the Rothhard bearers moved to cities such as Berlin, Bavaria, Munster, and Wurzburg. Later, some also migrated to other countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
In the United States, some of the Rothhard bearers have adopted spelling variations to Americanize their surnames such as Rothhart, Rothhards, Rothards, Rothardts, Rodthard, and Rotthard.
Some Rothhards in the United States have also changed their surnames to other forms such as Roethard, Rodhardt, Rhotard, and Rodhard.
Finally, in the United Kingdom, some Rothhards have adopted different spellings including Rothard, Rothhardt, Rotthart, Rothharts, Rotthards, and Rodthard.
Famous people with the name Rothhard
- David Lee Roth: American singer-songwriter, actor, author, and former radio personality.
- Carl F. Rothhard: German-born American physicist and physical chemist.
- Charles Rothhard: German-born American physicist who helped develop the first atomic clock.
- Pepper Jay Rothhard: American actress, director, and screenwriter.
- Odd Reidar Rothhard: Norwegian physicist and Nobel Laureate in 1972 for his contribution to the development of neutron scattering as a tool for scientific research.
- Berndt Rothhard: Swedish artist, writer, and composer.
- Bernie Rothhard: American stage, film, and television actor.
- Augustus F. Rothhard: American theologian and Biblical scholar.
- Patrick Rothhard: Scottish-born animator and animator director.
- Karina Rothhard: German composer and pianist.