Surname Pellinghart - Meaning and Origin
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Pellinghart: What does the surname Pellinghart mean?
Pellinghart is an uncommon German surname. It is believed to be an altered form of the name Pellinger, which is derived from the Old Germanic personal name Pelmlinger, which is composed of the elements 'pelwa' (one who stands firm) and 'lingar' (as a relative). It is thought to have been first borne by a strong and reliable man who was related to the local lord or ruler.
The noun 'Pelling' is also derived from the Old Germanic elements 'pelwa' and 'lingar'. This refers to the protective palisade or stake fence used to surround fortifications. Thus, Pellinghart implies someone who is an inhabitant of a fortified place, or who was employed in the making of the palisades.
Pellinghart is an occupational surname, indicating responsibility and strength. The name bearer would likely have been an individual of resolute strength, lack of fear and a person who could be trusted to protect their home and family against danger. They may have been a guard, a soldier, a keeper of a fortified town, or someone involved in the building of fortifications.
Today, the last name Pellinghart raises images of reliability, strength and protectiveness, and has become a symbol of a person who is dependable and trustworthy.
Order DNA origin analysisPellinghart: Where does the name Pellinghart come from?
The last name Pellinghart is found today mainly in countries with German heritage, most notably in Germany and the United States. This surname is particularly prominent among those of German ancestry within the United States, where it ranks in the top 2,000 most common last names, according to the 2020 U.S. Census.
The Pellinghart surname likely originated in the Middle Ages, when German families began taking on the last names of the households they lived in. The Pellinghart surname first appeared in documents in the 12th century, when the family was granted land in what is now modern-day Bavaria.
The Pellinghart surname has spread around the world over the centuries, likely due to German emigration. People bearing the name first began immigrating to the United States in the late 1800s, and today, the majority of people with the name in the United States live in Texas and Wisconsin.
The last name Pellinghart is very rare in other countries, including Austrailia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It has been found, however, in records in the French, Dutch, and Nordic countries.
Variations of the surname Pellinghart
Pellinghart is a surname of Germanic and Dutch origin derived from the element ‘pellen’ meaning to cut. This element, combined with the suffix -hart, translates to mean hard or tough. Variants and alternate spellings of this surname include Pellingherr, Pellinghaus and Pellinghouser, while other surnames of the same origin are Pellow, Pellegrim and Pellegarin.
The Pellinghart surname first appeared in Dutch records in the 16th century. In the Dutch Province of Friesland, records show the Pellingherr surname in 1514, as well as Pellingman, Pellinghaus and Pellinghouser in 1607, 1612 and 1668 respectively. In Germany, the Pellinghart surname first appears in PFI (Parish Record Indexes) in 1603 in Westdeutschland. Meanwhile, the same surname also appears in Prussia during this time period.
The Pellinghart surname differs in spelling and derived surnames based on the region in which the family can be traced. In Germany, the surnames Pelinghart, Pelinghuth and Peehl exist and often have variations in spelling or slight differences in pronunciation from their Dutch origin surname counterparts. In the Netherlands, the surname Pellinghart is often expressed in the shortened form of Pellens or Pellen while other surnames of the same origin can be found as Pellenau, Pellenger, Pellensche and Pellesen.
In the United States, the Pellinghart surname is not as common as its Dutch and German counterparts. However, the Pellow, Pellegrim, Pellegarin, Pellinghaus and Pellinghouser surnames are all represented in America with slight alterations in spelling. The Pellinghart surname is also common throughout the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries.
Overall, the Pellinghart surname and its various spellings and derived surnames have existed since the 16th century and continue to exist in many different forms throughout Europe and America.
Famous people with the name Pellinghart
- William Pellinghart: former vice president of the National Bank of Detroit.
- Sidney Pellinghart: American physician, medical professor, and founder of the Pellinghart Institute.
- Nick Pellinghart: former professional basketball player for the National Basketball Association (NBA) and former college basketball coach.
- Terry Pellinghart: former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher who played for the California Angels.
- Edward Pellinghart: former track and field athlete who competed in the hammer throw.
- Kerry Pellinghart: celebrated American tennis coach, author, and former college women’s tennis coach for the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.
- Joe Pellinghart: former college football and track and field coach who won three NCAA championships.
- Hal Pellinghart: former multi-sport college athlete who competed in football, basketball, and track and field.
- Quentin Pellinghart: actor, director, and producer who has Appeared in films such as The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs & The Lady in the Car.
- Martha Pellinghart: prominent American writer of fiction, nonfiction, and screenplays.