Surname Marckwardt - Meaning and Origin

Marckwardt: What does the surname Marckwardt mean?

The last name Marckwardt is German in origin and is derived from the given name Marcward, which is a combination of the Germanic elements "marc," meaning "horse," and "ward," meaning "guardian." This surname was most likely adopted by someone who had a family member who was a horse breeder or would otherwise protect horses in some capacity.

The Marckwardt surname is found primarily in Germany, its former dominions, and German-speaking areas over the course of the past several centuries. It is the 17,601st most common surname in the world, suggesting it is not overly frequent.

Marckwardt is often anglicized to Markwardt, Marcwardt, or Markward, which are all variations of the surname and can be found used in different countries. The earliest known record of the Marckwardt surname is from Arnold, son of Marqward, in the Auctiones Buxequm Ysenacensium, dated 1147.

In modern times, the Marckwardt surname can be found in society in Germany, the United States, Canada, Australia, and other English-speaking countries to which descendants have immigrated. Those with the Marckwardt surname often have ancestors who were part of noble German families or who had a profession related to horses or the horse trade.

Marckwardt: Where does the name Marckwardt come from?

The last name Marckwardt is most commonly found in Germany today. According to Familysearch.org, the surname is most common in the states of Brandenburg, Bretagne, and Bremen. It can also be found in many other European countries, particularly in the Netherlands.

In the United States, the last name Marckwardt is very rare, but can still be found in states like New Jersey, Texas, Georgia, and California. It was first brought to the U.S. in the late 19th century by immigrants who had previously lived in Germany.

In Germany itself the surname is quite common, forming part of a long unbroken line that reaches back well into early modern history. Records of the Marckwardt family can be found as far back as the late 1500's, suggesting that the family was already quite prominent in Germany by that point.

In modern times, the surname Marckwardt remains quite common in Germany, with many descendants of the original family still living there today. They can be found in towns, villages, and cities across the country, and are easily spotted by their distinctive family crest. Exact numbers of how many Marckwardt's still live in Germany is impossible to calculate, but it is safe to say that the name is quite common there today.

Variations of the surname Marckwardt

The surname Marckwardt has various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These variants include Markward, Markwart, Marckwart, Marcquard, Marcquart, and Marcq.The surname is found most commonly within Germany and the Netherlands. The Marckwardt surname originated from the German words ‘Mark’ and ‘Wart’ which mean ‘Border Guard’ in English. This title was used to identify someone who guarded border crossings in Medieval Germany. As a result, the surname can have regional variants and can also be spelled ‘Marquardt’. In some cases, the surname could have devolved into Français when used in French speaking regions such as Belgium. For example, the surname could have been spelled ‘Marquard’. There is also a possibility that the Marckwardt surname could have mutated into regional variation of the Dutch ‘Markwaard’.

Furthermore, ‘Markward’ is a popular variation of Marckwardt. This variant is most commonly used and found in areas such as Germany, Switzerland, England, and the United States. In addition, another variant of the Marckwardt surname, ‘Markwart’ is commonly found in Lower Franconia, Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, Austria, and the Netherlands.

Overall, there are numerous variants and spellings of the Marckwardt surname. These variants are not only regionally based, but could have also mutated over time due to language differences. The original origin of the surname comes from the German for 'Border Guard', and therefore it is likely that some derivatives of the name may have been derived from similar positions. Therefore, individuals with the Marckwardt surname may find it useful to research alternative spellings and variants in order to further trace their ancestral line.

Famous people with the name Marckwardt

• Ernst Marckwardt: German taxidermist and zoological collector, best known for discovering the dwarf Galago in 1892.
• Albert Marckwardt: famous American linguist and Word-Usage expert.
• Peter Marckwardt: German novelist and playwright.
• Julius Marckwardt: mathematician and astronomer from Germany who wrote a key treatise on trigonometric functions.
• Heinrich Marckwardt: influential German historian and political scientist.
• Franz Marckwardt: biologist, influential in the field of history of medicine and biology in Germany.
• Alfred Marckwardt: German architect, urban planner and civic improvement expert.
• Willi Marckwardt: businessman and politician for the German Liberal Party.
• Ernst Friedrich Marckwardt: German zoologist and evolutionary biologist.
• Mitia Marckwardt: Russian artist, primarily working in illustration and portrait painting.

Other surnames

MarckwardMarckwarth