Surname Degenhard - Meaning and Origin
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Degenhard: What does the surname Degenhard mean?
The last name Degenhard is of German origin. It is derived from the old German word "degen" which means "swordsman" and is a reference to a profession or pastime of sword fighting. It could also be derived from the phrase "degen hart" which means "fierce swordsman". As a surname, it indicates that the original bearer of the name was an expert swordsman or someone with martial skills.
The Degenhard surname is rather uncommon and is most commonly found in southwestern Germany. It is a topographic name, having originated in a specific location, and it often was used to identify a person who lived in or near a desirable location such as a wooded area or a meadow.
Although the Degenhard surname is not particularly common, there are still some people who bear this name. The Degenhard name is generally considered a respectable name and bears no negative connotations. It may have been an indicator of skill, respect, and loyalty in the past, but in modern times, it is simply a surname that has been passed down from generation to generation.
Order DNA origin analysisDegenhard: Where does the name Degenhard come from?
The last name Degenhard is a German surname that is most commonly found in Germany and other parts of Central Europe. According to the latest census, the last name is most prevalent in the states of Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia, with a few hundred people living in each state. Smaller populations of the name exist in Saxony-Anhalt, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Berlin. It is believed to be derived from the German word “degen” which means “sword”.
The surname is not limited to Germany; it has also spread to other countries. In the United States, small populations of people with the last name Degenhard exist in the states of New York, California, Florida, and Texas. Most of these individuals have German ancestry and have either retained the nature of the name or have modified it over the course of the generations.
In the United Kingdom, individuals of the name are found in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. In France, a few dozen people with the last name can be found in Paris and other large cities across the country. The surname can also be found in other countries in Europe such as Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
It is possible that the name Degenhard existed before Germany was established, since the word “degen” has existed for centuries. However, without a proper answer, the exact origin of the name cannot be determined.
In any case, the last name Degenhard is still quite prevalent throughout Europe and is likely to remain so for many years to come.
Variations of the surname Degenhard
Degenhard is a German surname, and it has several variants, spellings and surnames of similar origin. These include Degner, Degernar, Degens, Degener, Degnar, Degand, Degengart, Degandt, Degenthart, Degenhardt, DeGengard and Deggenhardt.
Degens and Degner are two variants of Degenhard; they are based on the Teutonic root "degen", meaning "noble". Degernar is a variant of Degenhard which comes from the words "degener" and "narr", which mean "bold". Degener is a variant of Degenhard that is derived from the word "degener", meaning "valorous". Degnar is a spelling variation of Degenhard which is based on the words "degener" and "dir", meaning "daring" and "people".
Degand and Degenthart are variations of Degenhard which are derived from the words "degen" and "hart", meaning "strong". Degengart is a variation of Degenhard which is based on the words "degen" and "gart", meaning "fortification". Deggenhardt is based on German words "degen" and "hardt", meaning "brave".
In some cases, Degenhard is also spelled as De Gengard, De Genhard, De Genhardt, Degen Odd, and Degenhold. There are also several surnames that share a similar origin: Deggenhoefer, Deggenthaler, Degensack, Degenkolb, and Degenfeld.
Famous people with the name Degenhard
- Moon Degenhard: A recording artist and singer/songwriter, notable for her album Fire & Flower, which was released in 2020.
- Dennis Degenhardt: A German handball player who is best known for his time spent with the German national team from 1988 to 1996.
- Franz Degenhardt: A German singer/songwriter and author associated with the genre of political cabaret.
- Mark Degenhardt: A professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers from 1971 to 1973.
- Matthias Degenhardt: A German barrister, public notary and politician who served in the German Bundestag from 1990 to 1994.
- Joachim Degenhardt: A film and stage actor who has appeared in over 50 productions, including The Tunnel and Olli & The Bollywood Big Band.
- Klaus Degenhardt: A German politician who served as the chairman of the Socialist Unity Party of West Berlin from 1971 to 1976.
- Marie Degenhardt: An award-winning French painter and sculptor who was born in 1910 in Alsace, France.
- Paul Degenhardt: An American artist and filmmaker, known for his work on the films Pink Floyd: The Wall, Akira, and Videodrome.
- Sabine Degenhardt: A German politician who has been a member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany since 1991 and is currently a member of the Bundestag.