Surname Poht - Meaning and Origin
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Poht: What does the surname Poht mean?
The last name Poht is of German origin, derived from the northern German dialect term ‘poht’, meaning ‘dweller of a small village’.
Generally, European surnames developed almost a thousand years ago during the Middle Ages, as a way to more clearly identify a person for taxation and census purposes. In this way, people were able to distinguish one person from another by their given name and where they lived.
Given its rural meaning, the last name Poht most likely referred to people who lived in small villages or rural parts of Germany. It’s likely that most families who bore this name had humble origins and may have earned a living through small-scale farming or manual labour.
Over time, as the social structures of Europe evolved, so did the surname Poht. Many families with this name have since moved to other countries around the world. Today, this last name could be found in all parts of the world, including North America, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and many parts of Europe.
No matter how far they’ve travelled, the meaning of this last name remains the same – it’s a reminder of the humble beginnings of its bearers and serves as a testament to their hard-working spirit.
Order DNA origin analysisPoht: Where does the name Poht come from?
The last name Poht has been predominantly located in Germany over the past 500 years. It can still be found in most areas of Germany today, although its frequency of occurrence does vary.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Poht was a fairly rare name in Germany. It was mostly associated with the Silesian region, which is located in the southwestern part of the country. In more recent times, the name has become increasingly common in other parts of the country as well.
In the 21st century, Poht is most commonly seen in the states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate. It has also become more widespread in the remaining states of Germany, including Berlin and Thuringia. With the growth of immigration to Germany from other countries, the surname has become increasingly prominent in urban and multicultural areas.
Outside of Germany, the last name Poht is not as common. It can still be found throughout Europe, most prominently in Poland. There are also small populations of Poht in the United States, Australia and New Zealand, where it was more recently introduced by immigrants.
Variations of the surname Poht
The surname Poht is a variation of the last name Pot, which in turn is derived from an Old French word, "pot". The spelling variants of Poht include Poeht, Poeth, Poet, Pohte, and Poett.
The name has also been spelled or Anglicized in its various iterations throughout the centuries. These include Porth, Popphie, Poiteau, Pourthier, Poitevin, Poithier, Poitras, Pointer, Poythress, and Powther.
The various spellings of Poht have also been used as surnames in different regions. In Germany, some variations of the name include Poetert, Poetter, Poettert, Poehalo, and Poehnder. In the United Kingdom, the name has become Poit, Poythress, Powther, and Popp.
In the United States, the name can be found spelled as Portt, Pott, Potts, and Pote. Other variants include Poythress, Poutre, and Poet. The surname is also commonly found in Canada, where variants include Poeth, Poette, Poitras, Poiteau, Pourthier, Poityn, Poitevin, and Point.
The Poht surname is sometimes spelled with two t's, as in Poett. This variant is found mostly in the Netherlands, Ireland, and Scotland, where the family originated from in the 1600s. The variant Poeth can also be found in the Netherlands.
Over the years, the Poht surname has evolved and adapted with migrations, resulting in numerous spellings and surnames of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Poht
- Baron Pöht von Brunnow: Estonian diplomat and lawyer.
- Zdaemon Pöht: Estonian poet, linguist, and cultural figure.
- Erna Pöht: Estonian architect and university professor.
- Olev Pöht: Estonian composer and conductor.
- Helen Pöht: Estonian journalist and popular science writer.
- Ants Pöht: Estonian conductor, singer, actor and theatre director.
- Ernst Pöht: Estonian sculptor and painter.
- Tarmo Pöht: Estonian sports personality and coach.
- Rico Pöht: German-born actor.
- Kalev Pöht: Estonian journalist and radio presenter.