Surname Burkeholder - Meaning and Origin
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Burkeholder: What does the surname Burkeholder mean?
The last name Burkeholder is an English or Irish surname which is believed to have originated from the Middle English word “bur”, meaning "dweller at the fortified house or castle". The “holder” part of the last name likely is derived from the Middle English word “holer”, which means "one who dwells" or "live-in tenant". Thus, Burkeholder would mean "dweller at or inhabitant of the fortified house of Burke" or "live-in tenant of Burke".
The surname dates back to the thirteenth century in England and appears in writs from London in 1327. As the Burke family had ownership of several castles, many people of the same family name likely moved into the area, creating a strong Burkeholder presence.
Today, the surname is found mostly in the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as across Canada and western Europe. Due to its apparent origin and the fact that many of the first Burkeholders settled in England, it is likely that they were of Anglo-Saxon or Norman descent.
The Burkeholder name carries much pride and nobility, as evidenced by its origin story. Then and still now, Burkeholders are thought of as strong people who believe in family and are loyal to their roots.
Order DNA origin analysisBurkeholder: Where does the name Burkeholder come from?
The last name Burkeholder is a fairly uncommon one, most likely of German origin. Today, it can be found mainly throughout the United States and Canada. In the United States, the highest concentration of the Burkeholder surname is in Pennsylvania, though it can also be found in the states of Ohio, New York, Indiana, and California. In Canada, the name can be found in the provinces of Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. Beyond the US and Canada, the Burkeholder name is less common, though it can still be found in several countries throughout Europe, including Germany, the Netherlands, France, Spain, and Austria.
Given the relatively uncommon nature of the Burkeholder name, it may be assumed that anyone with the name is likely to have a close relationship to at least one other Burkeholder, such as a member of their direct family. It is possible too that anyone with the Burkeholder name hails from a fairly small group of relatives, with the surname having been passed down from a shared ancestor. This could explain why the Burkeholder name is primarily concentrated in certain areas of the US and Canada.
Variations of the surname Burkeholder
The surname Burkeholder can be spelled in a wide variety of ways. For example, it can be spelled Burckholder, Burkhart, Burkholder, or even Burchhaldter. These variations could have developed today from dialectical differences in the language spoken by the individual who originally established the surname, or through regional differences in spelling conventions among the many countries where Burkeholder is found. Other forms of the same name also exist, such as Burghert, Burkheimer, Bourgeois, and Burkhardt.
The origin of the Burkeholder surname dates back hundreds of years to the Germanic region of Europe. There, it was meant to signify a person who owned a property known as a burg. In English, burg translates to “town” or “fortified city.” Such properties were often titled to a family, so the Burkeholder name is apt.
Naturally, the Burkeholder surname has spread throughout the world. In the United States, the name is most frequently found in the states of Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Ohio. Burkeholder is also found in countries such as Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Overall, Burkeholder is one of many surnames that have had many spelling variations over the years. Through understanding the language behind the name, we can better appreciate its unique, multicultural origins.
Famous people with the name Burkeholder
- Christopher Burkeholder: an American professional ice hockey player.
- Mark Burkeholder: founder of the Nutrition and Human Performance Institute.
- Gabrielle Burkeholder: American professional basketball player.
- Frances Burkeholder: pioneering American meteorologist known for her work in tropical storms.
- Susan Burkeholder: American actress and TV personality.
- Malcolm Burkeholder: American racing cyclist and winner of the Ironman World Championship.
- Walter Burkeholder: businessman and investor in Corning, New York.
- Kenneth Burkeholder: former member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.
- Jeffrey Burkeholder: former National Football League player.
- William Burkeholder: former Vice President of the Bahamas.