Surname Bahrdt - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Bahrdt: What does the surname Bahrdt mean?
The last name Bahrdt is a German surname derived from an Old German personal name Bercht, which meant “bright” or “shining”. This surname was likely created in the Middle Ages as a patronymic, or a descriptive term based on a person's father's first name. It is likely associated with the meaning of "son of Bercht". The original bearers of the surname were likely Germanic dwelling in the area known as the cultural region of Thuringia. The variants of this surname include Behrdt, Bahr, Behr, Bercht and Bairdt.
In modern times, the surname is associated with notable individuals such as the Reverend Christian Felix Bahrdt, a German clergyman, philosopher, bible critic, teacher as well as being an author. Born in 1741 in Gedern, he observed his religious studies at the University of Halle. A multifaceted individual, he was also an educator and a widely read author.
Philipp Ludwig Ehrenreich Bahrdt, who was born in 1741, was a notable German historian, politician and philology.
In contemporary times, the surname is generally identified with intelligence and academic excellence. The Bahrdts are a family of scholars, educators, writers and statesman who have made a lasting contribution to the lands of their birth and in many cases, to the world. Their presence is felt in all aspects of life, from the church to the arts, science, politics and beyond.
Order DNA origin analysisBahrdt: Where does the name Bahrdt come from?
The last name Bahrdt is not common today in the United States, however, it can be found in a few countries in Europe. Bahrdt is a surname of Germanic origin, with Bahr meaning "Bear" and dt often representing "son of".
In Germany, the surname is found widely in the western and northern regions, with concentrations around the cities of Düsseldorf and Hamburg. In Austria, it is most commonly seen in the region of Upper Austria. Switzerland records it in their western region, near the French border.
In other parts of Europe, the name is found in small numbers. It can be seen in Denmark mostly in the western regions and in Sweden, in their south and central regions. It is also present in Finland, but mainly in the central and northern regions.
Outside of Europe, there is a somewhat higher number of people with the surname based in South America. It can be found mostly in Brazil, Venezuela and Argentina.
Overall, the last name Bahrdt is not especially common today, although it can be found in a handful of countries in Europe and further afield in South America.
Variations of the surname Bahrdt
The surname Bahrdt is an ancient German-language surname derived from the Rhineland area in Germany. Its many variants and spellings include: Bardo, Bard, Baradt, Bahr, Bahrt, Bartsch, Beaird, Beadt, Bearde, Beardt, Biedt, Bort, Bartha, Bridt, Baruth, Berdt, Bercut and Bercutt.
The Bahrdt surname is of locational origin, referring to a place of residence the original bearer inhabited. In many records, the surname was recorded as being derived from the lobal name Bavier, a currency area in Germany, as well as from the badge of the Bard family.
The suffix 'dorf' is often seen added on to the surname, meaning village.
Amongst the variants of Bahrdt, Berdt is a common alternate spelling. It is also related to the Czech version of the name Bard, and the Polish version of Bardo.
The various versions of this surname found in different parts of Europe suggest that it is common and of widely-spread origin. Though many of the spellings are similar, the surname can be traced to early Germanic, Dutch, English, and Slavic roots.
Famous people with the name Bahrdt
- Carl Friedrich Bahrdt (1741-1792), German theologian and writer
- Karl Wilhelm Bahrdt (1753-1816), German jurist, reformer, journalist and political figure
- Wolf Bahrdt (1871-1959), German author and playwright
- Bruno Bahrdt (1879-1945), German actor
- Caren Bahrdt (1914-1992), German singer, actor and cabaret artist
- Walter Bahrdt (1922-2009), German counter-tenor
- Christine Bahrdt (born 1951), German author
- Katrin Bahrdt (born 1969), German key account manager
- Kalle Bahrdt (born 1989), German rugby player