Surname Borcherd - Meaning and Origin
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Borcherd: What does the surname Borcherd mean?
The last name Borcherd is a Germanic surname derived from the word “Burchart” which is a German compound word meaning “bright stronghold”. This name likely arose from the profession of a soldier or knight and evokes a sense of strength and protection. Historically, the surname likely originated in Bavaria or Northern Germany.
The earliest known record of the surname is from 1391, when a Hans Burchold mentioned in document was recorded in 14th century Rheinland. In 1615, a Johann Borchard fell victim to the plague in a village in Hanover and in 1679, the first known birth record of a child named Borcherd was registered in a Lutheran parish in Baden-Württemberg.
Early records of the Borcherd surname suggest that the family were generally of a higher social status and they likely held positions of power or influence in their local area. They were likely endowners and landowners in the region.
Today, the name Borcherd is most commonly found in areas of Germany, such as Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg, as well as Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary. In recent years, the families bearing this name have spread to other countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Order DNA origin analysisBorcherd: Where does the name Borcherd come from?
The last name Borcherd is quite common in Germany and other German-speaking countries. It is also found in areas where there is significant immigration from Germany and other parts of Europe such as North America and Australia.
In the US, Borcherd is ranked as the 4239th most common surname with an estimated 1,715 people carrying the Borcherd name during the US 2010 National Census. The most concentrated population of Borcherds can be found in Pennsylvania, with an estimated 860 people with the name. Other states with significant populations of Borcherds are New York, California, and Michigan.
In Germany, Borcherd is one of the top 10,000 most common surnames with approximately 5,100 people carrying the name. It is most commonly concentrated in the south, particularly Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemburg.
In Australia, about 1% of the population carries the Borcherd surname. Regions with a significant Borcherd population include New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, and South Australia.
Given its widespread use across several countries, it is highly likely that the Borcherd surname is derived from Germanic roots that stretch back to ancient times. While not particularly common in most countries, it continues to be a prominent surname in areas where Germanic ancestry is significant.
Variations of the surname Borcherd
The surname Borcherd (also spelled Borchard) is an Anglo-Saxon name, originating from the Old English name "Beorcweard", which means Keeper of the Boar. Variants of the Borcherd surname include Borcherdt, Borchord, Burchard, Burchardson, Bergard, and Bourchard. In Germany, where the surname originated, it is usually spelled "Borchardt".
In England, the name is often spelled "Borcherd" or "Borchardt". Spelling variations of this name also include Borchard, Borchest, Boorchard, Burchard, Burchard, and Burchett. In Scotland, the surname was originally spelled "Burchart".
The French version of the name is "Bourchard", with common alternative spellings including Bendchard, Bourcard, Bowchard, Bourocket, and Bourchaird. Another French variant of the name is Bouchard, which was used as a family name by Huguenots fleeing from religious persecution in France during the 1600s.
In the United States, the surname Borcherd has been adapted into Borcherding or Burchard. Borcherding is mainly used in the Midwest, while other adaptation of the name "Burchard" is used in the Southern states.
The Scandinavian forms of the surname are Berghard, BorCHard, and BorGREN, while in The Netherlands, it appears as Borghard.
The surname Borcherd is quite common, and can be found in many countries throughout Europe and the Americas.
Famous people with the name Borcherd
- Alistair Borcherd: Professional rugby player, capped 19 times for Scotland
- Kjell Borcherd: Norwegian ski jumper
- Imogen Borcherd: British Paralympic athlete, specializing in Discus and Shot Put
- Antje Borcherd: Argentinean beach volleyball player and model
- Peter Borcherd: Australian netball player
- Freya Borcherd: British illustrator
- Olav Borcherd: Architect and designer
- Eric Borcherd: Professional tennis player
- Simon Borcherd: German footballer
- David Borcherd: American actor