Surname Conrad - Meaning and Origin
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Discovering Familial Roots: My IGENEA Journey as a Conrad
Venturing into the past through a detailed DNA analysis at iGENEA allowed me to unravel the multifaceted history of my family name, Conrad. The journey revealed centuries-old narratives interlaced with migration, survival, and resilience. The detailed report offered insight into my kin's geographical origins and their social roles throughout history, fostering a richer understanding of who I am.
B. Conrad
read moreConrad: What does the surname Conrad mean?
The last name Conrad is of Old Germanic origin, derived from the given name Konrad or Conrad. The name is formed from two elements - 'Kuoni' meaning 'brave' and 'rad' meaning 'counsel' or 'advice'. Therefore, Conrad fundamentally means 'brave counsel' or 'brave advisor'. It became a popular name due to Saint Conrad of Constance, a bishop, and later because of the medieval German King Conrad I. Over time, it evolved to be used as a surname. Variations of the surname include Konrad, Conradi, and Coenrad, among others. It is important to note that surnames can often reveal information about a family's geographical origin, profession, or distinguishing characteristics. However, in the case of Conrad, it was more often derived from the given name rather than these factors. Today, it is used by families across Europe and North America.
Order DNA origin analysisConrad: Where does the name Conrad come from?
The surname Conrad is of German origin and is derived from two words: 'kuoni' meaning bold or brave, and 'rad' meaning counsel. The popularity of this name increased during the Middle Ages, largely due to Saint Conrad of Constance. It was often given as a first name, before gradually transitioning into a surname. Frederick Barbarossa, a popular German emperor, also had a grandson named Conrad, which helped to increase the name's prominence.
Today, the Conrad surname is common in several countries. It's especially frequent in Germany, due to its origins, and the United States, which has a large population of German descendants. Other places where the surname appears include Canada, South Africa, and Australia, essentially in countries that have experienced significant German immigration. However, it's important to note that the surname can be found all over the world, not just in these places.
Variations of the surname Conrad
The surname Conrad is derived from two ancient Germanic elements: "kuoni", meaning brave, and "rad", meaning counsel or advice. The name itself suggests a brave counselor or wise protector.
Although the popularity and usage of this name have varied in different cultures and periods, there are several spelling variations and related surnames that can be traced back to the same origin. Variants of the name include Konrad, Conrade, Connard, and Conard. You can also find this surname with extra prefixes or suffixes based on regional dialects and phonetics like Konrads, Konradsson, or Konrady in some Slavic-speaking countries.
In addition, when last names began to be used, people often took their father's name or their occupation as their surname. Hence, you may also find surnames like Kohn, Kohner, and Kuhn that might be related to the name Conrad.
Spellings can often change over time and may vary in different countries. For instance, in England, alternate spellings like Coward or Cunard have been recorded historically. It's important to remember that the spelling and variation of surnames very much depend on geographical locations and cultural influences.
Famous people with the name Conrad
- Lauren Conrad: American television personality, fashion designer, and author, best known for her role in reality TV show "The Hills".
- Conrad Black: British former newspaper publisher, author, and convicted fraudster.
- Kate Conrad: American illustrator and comic book artist.
- Joseph Conrad: Polish-British writer considered one of the greatest novelists in English literature, famous for "Heart of Darkness".
- Robert Conrad: American actor known for roles in "Hawaiian Eye" and "The Wild Wild West".
- William Conrad: American actor, producer, and director, known for "The Killers" and "Cannon".
- Charles Conrad: American astronaut, third man to walk on the moon in NASA's Apollo 12 mission.
- Paul Conrad: American political cartoonist and winner of three Pulitzer Prizes.
- Jess Conrad: British actor and singer who was a pop hitmaker in the early 1960s.
- Tony Conrad: American avant-garde video artist, experimental filmmaker, musician, composer, and sound artist.
- Sabin Howard: New York-based artist, he was born Sabin Conrad.
- Conrad Nicholson Hilton: American hotelier and business magnate, founder of the Hilton Hotels chain.